Chapter 21
THE COUNTY COMBINED COURTHOUSE
Saturday afternoon
Jon had to report on the discovery of the body, hence his inclusion in the inquiry into the death of Annie Butler. Though this building adjoined the old post office, the post office was the newer part. This part of the edifice had originally housed a castle's garrison and had withstood several centuries to become a combined courthouse that held the magistrate's courts and the postoffice.
In the open foyer was a souvenir shop the postmistress had cleverly opened as part of the postal cubicle. Today, a "closed" sign across the darkened window reflected the general atmosphere.
The inquest would likely be well attended. He glanced around at the white walls, dark floors, and threadbare carpet strip that ran up the center aisle to the coroner's podium which stood like an exclamation point.