Murder in Bloom by Lesley Cookman

Author:Lesley Cookman [Cookman, Lesley]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Accent Press Ltd
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty

‘WHAT WAS THAT PROGRAMME Gerald Shepherd did in the nineties?’ asked Fran.

Libby frowned at the telephone. ‘Why do you want to know?’

‘I thought I’d see if it was on DVD.’

‘But why?’

‘I want to know what he looked like in later life.’

‘There’s sure to be photographs on the Internet,’ said Libby. ‘No, I want to see him in action,’ insisted Fran. ‘So, what was it?’ ‘It comes up if you Google him,’ said Libby. ‘It was a political thriller.’ ‘Got it,’ said Fran. ‘Collateral Damage. That’s what it was. Thanks, Lib. I’ll get on to it.’

Still frowning, Libby switched off the phone. Fran was obviously getting interested in the Creekmarsh murder, which wasn’t, possibly, A Good Thing. Guy would be expecting her to concentrate on their rapidly approaching wedding, his attitude to the women’s shared investigations being much the same as Ben’s.

But Fran’s interest would only be piqued if she thought there was something to be uncovered. If her mind had told her something was wrong. Otherwise, she would back away from any involvement, unsure of her own gift, if that’s what it was. To Fran it often appeared more of a curse. Libby sighed and went to fetch a duster. Last night, after Ben had made his suggestion about staying put for the time being, she’d taken a critical look round this cottage she loved so much and noticed the dust and hidden cobwebs. Time for a bit of a clean-up.

As she worked, her mind disassociated from her physical actions, she thought through what she knew of the Creekmarsh murder. Or murders, probably. First, Adam had dug up part of a skeleton. Next, the police had discovered it to be approximately three years old and to match Gerald Shepherd’s DNA, although how they obtained that Libby didn’t know.

Next, Lewis had confessed that Tony West had sold him Creekmarsh with power of attorney for Gerald Shepherd. This had to have been obtained over three years ago, since that was the time Shepherd and his daughter-in-law had gone missing. Libby, from what Lewis had said, was sure that Lewis had been almost coerced into buying the place, presumably to offload it. It looked to be a long-term plan if Tony West’s manipulation of Lewis’s career was any guide, although his presence on Housey Housey may well have been simply as a reward for sexual favours, the offloading of Creekmarsh Place being an inspiration that came later, when Lewis’s money came rolling in.

Meanwhile, Tony West himself was killed in his bedroom in Hampstead. Although Lewis had been questioned, it appeared the police didn’t think he was connected, even though his fingerprints were found. Old, though, Libby thought, probably overlaid by others. So someone had wanted to cover up West’s involvement with Shepherd, although they must have known it would come out when Lewis was questioned.

Then Cindy Dale had turned up – or Cindy Shepherd, as Libby supposed she was – with her story of Kenneth being killed by his father. It was perfectly feasible, given the DNA clue, but where was Gerald now? Fran was certain he was alive.

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