Kith and Kill (Fifteenth in the critically-acclaimed Rafferty and Llewellyn mystery series) by Evans Geraldine

Author:Evans, Geraldine [Evans, Geraldine]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Solo Books
Published: 2011-09-29T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Jack Nicholls stared at Rafferty for a second and then gave a loud guffaw. ‘Oh no. No. I don't mean anything like that. Wouldn't that be great from your point of view? Sorry to disappoint you, Inspector. No. It's just that she knew very well she was a demanding woman. Not everyone can take it, particularly not when receiving your inheritance depends upon you toeing the line. Sophia could be a difficult woman. Such a perfectionist always. She was aware of it, of course; Sophia always had great self-awareness. You know she was dumped on Dr Barnardo's doorstep when she was three and her sister Alice a baby in a cradle?’

Rafferty nodded.

‘The experience seems to have taken the sister in a very different way from what Sophia said, but it certainly seemed to inspire the great in Sophia. Although I can't say she was much of an actress, she hadn't found her true metier. But once she married Tom Egerton and began to work in his business, she really pulled it round. She was a very astute woman, so I'm not surprised that she should think that her life could be in danger from one of her own family. It's a problem for the wealthy – they're always getting bumped off. I remember several cases where people's own children have killed them for their inheritance. It must represent a permanent temptation for those who think their name's in the pot, especially when funds are low and creditors are pressing. And I know whereof I speak, my dears.’ He grinned. ‘Might have been tempted that way myself if I had any rich relatives.’

It was something that Rafferty had already considered in relation to their current investigation. Monetary gain always made for a strong motive. Though it wasn't something that he was ever likely to have to worry about.

They'd got all they were going to get from Jack Nicholls. Rafferty thanked him, took out his mobile and ordered a taxi to get them back to Norwich station. and made leaving noises. But for all his show of going, he was happy to accept another beer while they waited for the cab to arrive. Unfortunately for the beer-loving Rafferty, the taxi was prompt and he ended up glugging down the beer in double-quick time, almost choking on the last mouthful, much to Nicholls's mirth and Llewellyn's head-shaking disapproval.

They made their goodbyes and clambered into the cab. With the taxi arriving so much earlier than expected, they were in good time for their train back to Elmhurst and Rafferty thought they might as well use the waiting time to grab some lunch. For once, he decided to give the pub a miss, and at the first fast-food joint they came to he opted for a burger and chips. Llewellyn, of course, had the healthier scrambled egg option.

They found seats by the window – Rafferty liked to watch the world go by. But he had barely sat down than he realized he had two beers he needed to get rid of and in very short order.

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