Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Alibi: Toby Whitby WWII Murder Mystery Series, #0
    Alibi: Toby Whitby WWII Murder Mystery Series, #0
    Alibi: Toby Whitby WWII Murder Mystery Series, #0
    Ebook142 pages2 hours

    Alibi: Toby Whitby WWII Murder Mystery Series, #0

    By Eileen Enwright Hodgetts

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    A World War Two Murder Mystery Novella

    December 1940: London's burning. Bombs fall every night. Toby Whitby must save a man from a death sentence…for looting! The suspect's alibi, if revealed, would rock the world!

    Ralph Pemberton, a mild-mannered man whose weak heart kept him out of battle, has been accused of a smash and grab. His fingerprints place him at the scene but he refuses to offer an alibi. While Ralph waits in jail for the judge to pass sentence, Toby Whitby must discover what Ralph was doing while bombs were falling and London was burning.

    When Ralph declares that it is his patriotic duty to keep silent, Toby alone must find the answers. Why are Ralph's children missing? Why is Ralph's wife desperate for money? Why is a brand new bicycle delivered to Ralph's front door, and what unexpected event is happening every night at Buckingham Palace…?

    In the first ever Toby Whitby story, we are introduced to a determined young lawyer who will run into a burning building to save his client, even when the client does not want to be saved.

    Book Zero of the Toby Whitby Series

    100 pages.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherEmerge Publishing
    Release dateFeb 28, 2019
    ISBN9781393497042
    Alibi: Toby Whitby WWII Murder Mystery Series, #0
    Author

    Eileen Enwright Hodgetts

    USA TODAY BEST SELLING AUTHOR Eileen Enwright Hodgetts is a much traveled writer. Brought up in England and Wales, she has also lived and worked in South Africa and Uganda and now makes her home in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her life experiences allow her to use exotic backgrounds for her novels and to understand how an adventure can begin with just one small incident. For ten years she directed a humanitarian mission in East Africa and is also involved in a Ugandan Coffee Farm. Much of her writing reveals not only her great fondness for the British Isles, but also her British sense of humor which still sees the funny side of most situations. Her screen play of the US senate investigations into the sinking of the TITANIC is currently being made into a major movie. (The working title is UNSINKABLE for those who want to follow it on IMDb). In addition to writing novels, Eileen Enwright Hodgetts is also an accomplished playwright with a number of national awards to her credit. Her novel, WHIRLPOOL, began life as a stage musical about a free-spirited woman and her desire to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel. The musical played at the Niagara Falls Convention Center in Niagara Falls, New York. In 1993 the Mayor of Niagara Falls, NY, proclaimed the summer of 1993 as Whirlpool Theater Days in honor of the production. AFRIC is a realistic novel based on the author's personal experiences and observations from 36 visits to Uganda over the past 12 years. The story is a drama ripped from today's headlines with an appealing heroine, and a cast of colorful but realistic characters. It is also an eye-opening look at the realities of life and death in modern Africa and the role that the USA plays behind the scenes in African politics.  The discovery of King Arthur's sword Excalibur is the starting point of EXCALIBUR RISING, a new historical fiction series. Books One, Two, Three and Four are available currently and are ranking in the very top section of the Historical Fiction genre. More on the way? Most probably! Currently she is writing a three book WWII mystery series rich with her memories of the post-war years in England. When she is not writing novels or movie scripts or staging theater plays, she is exploring the art of cheese making. Find her blog at eileenenwrighthodgetts.com

    Read more from Eileen Enwright Hodgetts

    Related to Alibi

    Titles in the series (2)

    View More
    View More

    Related ebooks

    War & Military Fiction For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      Losing Battle

      Oct 30, 2020

      Losing Battle
      5 min read

    • Article

      Long dark EVENINGS

      Nov 17, 2021

      Long dark EVENINGS
      3 min read

    • Article

      Appreciating Hate

      Sep 10, 2021

      Felix thought of his mind as though it were artwork – a painting. His skull was the frame, the canvas inside the frame was the grey matter, the applied paint was his education, and that insubstantial feeling evoked by the art piece was his consciousn

      7 min read

    • Article

      A Real Man

      Sep 18, 2020

      A Real Man
      6 min read

    • Article

      When the HEART MELTS

      Feb 23, 2022

      When the HEART MELTS
      8 min read

    • Article

      Decluttering

      Dec 9, 2020

      Decluttering
      6 min read

    • Article

      The Clues To ROMANCE

      May 4, 2021

      The Clues To ROMANCE
      6 min read

    • Article

      Marina’s Mission

      Jan 26, 2022

      Marina’s Mission
      7 min read

    • Article

      Marina’s Mission

      Jan 26, 2022

      Marina’s Mission
      7 min read

    • Article

      THE LADY In The Lake

      Feb 10, 2021

      THE LADY In The Lake
      6 min read

    • Article

      Echoes

      Jul 13, 2022

      Echoes
      9 min read

    • Article

      Where Does This Live?

      Dec 6, 2022

      The Roseville Hotel had closed many years ago, and the rooms upstairs had been converted to apartments, but the bar on the ground floor was still called the Roseville Hotel, because everyone was used to the name. One Saturday in January, John James a

      22 min read

    • Article

      Harold

      Nov 24, 2021

      Harold
      6 min read

    • Article

      The Great Lindemann

      Jun 26, 2014

      The light dimmed and the murmur of conversation died away. The curtain opened. Lindemann was standing on the stage. He was plump and had a bald spot made all the more noticeable by the few sparse hairs combed over the nakedness of his skull, and he w

      19 min read

    • Article

      Cristina Rivera Garza

      Jun 15, 2018

      She would remember everything, out of the blue and in full detail. She would see the jade ring wrapped around her ring finger and, immediately, she would see the other jade ring. She would open her eyes wide and, without knowing why, would fall silen

      13 min read

    • Article

      Pond Water

      Feb 1, 2019

      Pond Water
      5 min read

    • Article

      The Brannbein Delivery

      Feb 1, 2023

      The Brannbein Delivery
      7 min read

    • Article

      Sifting

      Mar 4, 2024

      CASSANDRA GARBUS is the author of the novel Solo Variations. Her fiction has appeared in Kenyon Review Online, American Short Fiction, Texas Review, Meridian, Louisiana Literature, and The Cortland Review. Lily slumps on the living room couch, absorb

      22 min read

    • Article

      The Man with THE SILVER SAAB

      Jun 24, 2021

      The Man with THE SILVER SAAB
      3 min read

    • Article

      Six Million Reasons

      Jul 9, 2021

      Six Million Reasons
      6 min read

    • Article

      Play Detective

      Mar 26, 2020

      Play Detective
      3 min read

    • Article

      Hint Of A KILLING

      Jul 12, 2023

      Hint Of A KILLING
      2 min read

    • Article

      Secrets and LIES

      Mar 17, 2021

      Secrets and LIES
      6 min read

    • Article

      Lockdown

      Aug 31, 2020

      You keep a secret safe, wrapped up in the back of a drawer in your mind, all tied up in metaphorical ribbon and string, for 14 years. And in the space of three days, it unravels. How did that happen? I’ll tell you how. I was up a ladder, that’s how.

      5 min read

    • Article

      The Art Of The Steal

      May 1, 2024

      All That Glitters By Orlando Whitfield Profile £20 About halfway through this telling of the story of Inigo Philbrick, the young art dealer imprisoned for seven years for fraud in 2022, I was reminded of a childhood memory. It was of the millionaire

      3 min read

    • Article

      The Christmas spirit

      Dec 14, 2022

      The Christmas spirit
      2 min read

    • Article

      Who’s There?

      Jun 24, 2021

      Who’s There?
      3 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for Alibi

    0 ratings

    0 ratings0 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

      Book preview

      Alibi - Eileen Enwright Hodgetts

      CHAPTER ONE

      LONDON, DECEMBER 1940

      London was still burning. The bombs had fallen again last night. The air was thick with smoke, the streets were choked with rubble, and Ralph Pemberton was late for work because he didn’t have his bicycle. He rounded the corner onto Cavendish Street and saw that the premises of Gilbert’s Premium Motor Repair had once again escaped destruction and he would have to spend another morning sweeping the workshop.

      He let himself into the building by the side door and picked up his broom. A voice called to him from the open door of Mr. Gilbert’s office.

      Ralphie boy, you’re late.

      He ducked his head. Sorry, Mr. Gilbert; it’s really bad out there. I’ll just get on with the sweeping, shall I?

      I think you’d better come in here.

      Ralph peered in through the office door. Mr. Gilbert, dressed in a smart suit, his dark hair slicked down with Brylcreem, smiled and flashed his gold tooth. The police are here; they want to talk to you.

      Ralph’s heart leaped up into his throat. He staggered and caught hold of the door frame.

      Gilbert stared at him. What’s the matter with you?  Do you have a guilty conscience Ralphie boy?

      No, of course not. 

      Gilbert rose from behind his desk and patted Ralph on the shoulder. You sure about that?

      Yes, of course.

      What happened to your hand?

      Ralph looked down at the bandage his wife had fashioned from an old handkerchief. Fell of my bike. Don’t worry; it won’t interfere with my work. 

      Another figure, immaculate in a blazer and cravat, with his sparse hair generously Brylcreemed, emerged from a shadowy corner of the office. Gilbert acknowledged him with a nod of his head.

      You know my associate Rodney Swaffield?

      Ralph looked at Swaffield for guidance. Swaffield let the silence hang for a moment before he spoke. We know each other. We’re old friends aren’t we Ralph?

      Ralph, with his mind still trying to grasp the fact that the police were looking for him, managed to stammer a response. Yes, we know each other.

      And how are the wife and kiddies? Swaffield asked.

      Ralph tightened his grasp of the door frame as his heart beat an alarming tattoo. How are the wife and kiddies?  You know how they are. What do you want me to say? 

      Gilbert waved an impatient hand. Hurry it up, Ralph. The police are waiting for you.

      What do they want?

      They just want your fingerprints.

      Why?

      Ralph looked to Swaffield for reassurance. You said they’d never find out and now they’re here asking for my fingerprints.

      Swaffield took a step forward, tall and confident. He looked down at Ralph. It’s nothing to worry about Ralph. They’re looking into a smash and grab raid last night. Someone used a car that had been worked on here and drove it through a shop window.

      What car?  I wouldn’t....

      I know you wouldn’t. It’s just for elimination purposes. Take away the fingerprints of everyone who works here and the ones that are left belong to the robber; nothing for you to worry about. No one would ever mistake you for a robber, Ralph. Look at you; not even fit for the army. Bad heart is it?

      You know it is. You know all about it.

      Rheumatic fever when I was a child.

      Ah yes, when you were a child.

      Child! Ralph was certain that Swaffield had emphasized the word. Swaffield was afraid that Ralph would talk but that was not going to happen. Ralph would never talk about that and he’d never talk about the other thing; the thing that had happened last night; the destruction of his bicycle.

      The two elderly policemen were waiting for him in an empty service bay where they had set up a small table. He took a deep breath. Nothing to worry about; fingerprints for elimination purposes. The MG, the one that had come in yesterday, was safely under wraps in a dark corner and Ted and Lennie, the two mechanics, had returned to their work on an old blue Austin that had certainly seen better days. With the war continuing into its second year and all industry turned to manufacturing weapons of war, keeping a private car running was a matter of odds and scraps and pieces of string or so it seemed to Ralph.

      The policemen were a matching pair with white hair and ill-fitting uniforms. Ralph assumed that they had been called back from retirement to support the war effort. When he extended a shaking hand to be inked, the shortest of the pair, a relocated Scotsman, gave him a fatherly pat on the shoulder. Nothing to worry about, son. This will nae hurt a bit.

      Ted emerged from beneath the bonnet of the Austin and grinned contemptuously. What’s the matter, Ralphie?  Frightened someone might hurt you?

      The policeman maintained his fatherly grasp of Ralph’s shoulder as he turned to Ted. Why are you nae in uniform?

      Ted grinned. Flat feet.

      The policeman turned away and guided Ralph’s finger to the paper he had spread on the table. I can’t abide a draft dodger, he said under his breath.

      I’m not a draft dodger, Ralph protested. I wanted to sign up. I have a bad heart.

      I wasnae talking about you, the policeman replied. You dinna have to look at you twice to know you’re nae fighting material. Nae insult intended but your face is that pale... Are you sure you’re all right?

      Not much sleep last night, Ralph said.

      The other policeman leaned in to offer his opinion. Fifty seven straight nights of bombing. It’s a wonder any of us are still alive. Hitler won’t stop until we take the war to him.  He looked over his shoulder at Lennie and Ted. For that we need soldiers not draft dodging cowards.

      The policeman’s words slammed into Ralph’s conscience. His heart hammered again and he could hardly breathe. Think about something else. Talk about something else.

      Why are you fingerprinting us?

      Did no one tell you?

      Something about a smash and grab.

      Last night in the blackout, the Scotsman said. Someone drove a car into a jeweler’s window and made off with whatever wasn’t locked down. I’m told they got their hands on diamonds.

      But why have you come here?  What does this garage have to do with it?

      Detectives found a work order from this garage. It had fallen under a floor mat where no one noticed it. It seems that the owner of the car had some work done here. It’s nothing for you to worry about. We’re just eliminating you.

      Ted, apparently recovered from the Scotsman’s insults, gave a short, jeering laugh. Ralphie can’t even drive. He can barely ride a bicycle.  He pointed the spanner at Ralph. I’ve seen you wobbling all over the road. It’s a wonder you haven’t hit someone.

      Ralph ground his inky finger onto the paper. If only they knew.

      As soon as the police had departed, Ralph picked up his broom and began to sweep his way toward the office. He had to speak to Swaffield. I can’t do this anymore.

      Gilbert was still at his desk. As Ralph approached with the broom he looked up and frowned. What did you tell the police?

      Nothing. I don’t know anything.

      That’s right, Ralphie. You don’t know anything. Keep it that way.

      Is Mr. Swaffield still here?

      No, he just dropped in for a chat that’s all. Seems you two know each other.

      Mr. Gilbert doesn’t know. I’ve just seen him around here, Ralph said. I don’t really know him.

      Gilbert nodded his head. Just remember that, Ralphie. You don’t know anything about anything or anyone. Make sure you stick to that and I’ll see you’re all right, if you know what I mean.

      Ralph’s damaged heart was hammering again. He couldn’t stay here where every word seemed to be a threat, and every glance seemed to say I know what you did.

      "Mr. Gilbert.

      What?

      I’m not feeling well. I need to go home.

      So go. You needn’t bother to come back.

      But I —,

      Get out of here.

      Sheila swept angrily into the bedroom and jerked at the blackout curtain.

      What’s the matter with you, Ralph?  You’ve been sleeping like the dead all afternoon and now it’s dark outside.

      I’m sorry.

      She shook her head and pursed her red lips. Ralph wondered where she had been. She would not put on lipstick just for him.

      It’s just sweeping, Sheila muttered as she pinned the heavy black curtains into place. Surely you can do a bit of sweeping without passing out.

      It was the shock. The police came to the garage and —

      The police didn’t just come to the garage; they came here as well .

      Ralph sat up abruptly. Here?  The police came here?  What do they want? Why didn’t you tell me.

      You was sleeping like the dead and anyway they didn’t want to talk to you. They wanted to talk to me.

      Why?

      It was nothing, just a waste of my time. They just wanted to know where you were last night. They said they had to check everyone’s alibi; something about a smash and grab raid.

      What did you tell them?

      What do you think I told them?  I was very busy with the wash when they came but I put things right. I told them you would never do nothing like that. You’d probably faint clean away before you even reached the jewelry shop.

      Sheila lifted her hand and patted at her blonde curls. They was very nice; two old geezers called out of retirement. I offered them a cup of tea but they couldn’t stay.

      What did you tell them about last night? Ralph asked.

      Sheila raised a penciled eyebrow. Nothing, Ralph. I didn’t tell them nothing because I don’t know nothing. I only know that you came home late and without your bicycle.

      Is that what you told them?

      Sheila rolled her eyes. "Yes, Ralph, that’s what I told them. I told them what you told me. You had an accident with your bicycle and

      Enjoying the preview?
      Page 1 of 1