Sidney Chambers and The Shadow of Death (The Grantchester Mysteries)

there.’
    ‘Why not?
    ‘I didn’t like him being cooped up and out of the way. I can’t believe that it is a proper job either. He doesn’t seem to have any prospects. What kind of a business is looking at paintings or writing a book about a place no one can visit? He should be working for me or down in London. God knows what he will do now.’
    ‘What do you think will happen?’
    ‘They might give him some kind of pay-off. Simon Hackford’s likely to take over. He and Lord Teversham have been friends for years. You should go and talk to him. There was something fishy going on there, but I suspect you know about that.’
    ‘I have seen nothing to make me think that Simon Hackford is anything other than a decent man.’
    ‘You’re being too Christian.’
    ‘I have no choice.’
    ‘I don’t mean to be rude, Canon Chambers, but you only have to look at that man to know that there’s something not quite right.’
    Sidney cut the suggestion short. ‘I am seeing him later today.’
    ‘Then he is a suspect?’
    ‘Everyone is a suspect, Mr Blackwood. Even you, and even me.’
    ‘I don’t think that’s likely.’
    ‘The police do say that it’s often the unlikeliest people . . .’
    ‘But you are a priest.’
    ‘And you run a tight ship,’ Sidney replied. He smiled with as much ambiguity as he could muster. ‘I am not a murderer, Mr. Blackwood, but sometimes priests can be more devious than people think.’
    ‘Is that so, Canon Chambers?’
    ‘I wouldn’t like anyone to take me for granted.’
     
    Simon Hackford’s antique shop was situated in Trumpington Street, almost opposite the Fitzwilliam Museum, with four clear windows in which were displayed a tasteful collection of eighteenth-century paintings and traditional English furniture. Whenever Sidney decided to bicycle home via Sheep’s Green and across the Fen Causeway, he liked to slow down, glance into its windows and imagine what he could have afforded had he chosen a different profession. The Elizabethan walnut chest would look handsome in his hallway, he decided, and he had always fancied a pair of Queen Anne candlesticks.
    ‘Is there anything you are looking for specifically?’ Simon Hackford asked. ‘We have some Apostle spoons that came in a few days ago. As you probably know, Canon Chambers, there are only four sets in the country.’
    This was one of the areas in the field of antiques where Sidney had a smidgeon of knowledge. He was keen to impress. ‘Is the bowl marked with a leopard head?’
    ‘Indeed.’
    ‘And are the rest of the marks stamped across the back of the handle?’
    ‘They are.’
    Sidney nodded as thoughtfully as he could. ‘And is each apostle recognisable, with his own halo?’
    ‘The nimbi are intact.’
    ‘Can I see them?’
    ‘I am sure you have not come simply to look at my silver, Canon Chambers.’
    ‘Indeed not, although now that you are about to show me these spoons . . .’
    Simon Hackford had seen right through him. ‘Your visit is about Lord Teversham, I presume?’
    ‘I am afraid so.’
    The antique dealer walked back to the counter and produced a small green case. He put it down on an oak dining table. ‘A terrible thing,’ he said, before returning to fetch a pair of white gloves. ‘We were such friends.’
    ‘Although perhaps less so, recently,’ Sidney said.
    ‘Why do you say that?’
    ‘At the theatre you told us that you did not like to spend time apart from your wife. Is that because you once did so?’
    ‘I don’t think that is any business of yours.’
    ‘I hope you don’t mind me asking.’
    Simon Hackford turned and his tone changed. In fact, he became positively hostile. ‘I do mind you asking, as a matter of fact. We had rather a rough time of it lately and Marion doesn’t like me to talk about it.’
    ‘I’m sorry.’
    ‘I can understand why you might be interested. Lord Teversham and I were friends and business partners. I had no reason to dislike him. Our arrangement simply came to an end when Ben Blackwood arrived.’
    ‘I presume you do not like him.’
    ‘No one likes to be replaced, Canon Chambers. You do not think that anyone can do the job as well as you or that arrangements might change. Fortunately, I have a good eye and other clients. I do not need the support of anyone other than my wife.’
    ‘I am glad to hear it.’
    ‘You can talk to her if you like . . .’
    ‘I may need to do that. But in the meantime, please show me the