A Body in the Library by Jan Jones

Author:Jan Jones [Jones, Jan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction
Published: 2023-08-29T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TEN

Gideon strode to catch up with Kenelm. “Did you find metal polish on Seaton’s clothes, then?”

“Very funny. We’re giving all large wheeled objects within a quarter of a mile the same treatment. I borrowed yours for forensics yesterday, and your sack-barrow.”

“Bloody cheek,” said Gideon without rancour. “Bet you don’t get anything from Jane’s except a headache from the glare. It doesn’t look as if she’s ever used it. I can’t see anyone climbing over the fence to borrow it.”

“Not to mention the only footprints in the flower bed at the back being made by a shoe size very similar to hers, as I’m sure you noticed.”

“Get you, being a detective.”

“Someone has to be. It was obvious last night the way Macready’s thoughts are tending. Local blokes with a grudge and their own wives for alibis. The lack of blood anywhere in Church Lea is explained away by the rain. He’s not even trying to look any wider. You’re right about the glare from this barrow. What was Jane’s husband like? Apart from playing cricket and golf and being a stickler over his tools.”

“Patrick? Very have-a-go. I always thought it was a good thing he didn’t hold a gun licence or he’d have peppered trespassers with buckshot. As it was he used to charge out of the house brandishing a golf club if anyone even happened to step off the pavement on to his bit of grass verge. Heart attack took him off in the middle of an argument at the Horse & Groom about how that farmer in Norfolk was within his rights years ago to shoot the burglar and he should never have been sent to prison.”

“Jeez, what did he think the police were for?”

Gideon shrugged. “Keeping law and order, obviously. Jane’s a bit like that too, to be honest. Not one of life’s forgive-and-forget brigade. Everything in her hall is for show, by the way. Her own golf clubs are kept oiled and polished in the utility room. She explained while I was doing her conservatory that even though she used to play junior county cricket, Patrick’s cricket bat gave out far more desirable vibes than hers would.”

“I’ll take her word for it. Right, off to forensics. The glamour of being a copper.”

Gideon grinned and continued around the corner towards the school. Tanya was in a huddle of other mums but came over when he caught her eye.

She studied Annie’s sketch. “Yeah, that was her, and they left together all lovey-dovey.”

“You might want to mention that to Inspector Gray.”

Angry voices sounded from the group. “An hour he had him there for questioning. An hour! I had to give his tea to the dog and make him a new lot.”

“He questioned Ali for two hours. I told them he was home at ten and in bed by half-past, but did they listen?”

“Detective Superintendent Macready, I take it,” said Gideon.

Tanya rolled her eyes. “He’s like a dog with a bone. Old Mrs Ameeter is going to need a minder

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