Mystery at Saltwater Cottages: An utterly unputdownable cozy mystery novel (An Eve Mallow Mystery Book 11) by Clare Chase

Author:Clare Chase [Chase, Clare]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781837904075
Publisher: Bookouture
Published: 2023-11-05T16:00:00+00:00

26

Over breakfast the following morning, Eve tried to put her nightmare out of her head. Hearing the footfalls was said to signify danger, but anyone might conjure them up at a time like this.

She sat in her dining room, facing facts. The idea of Jamie or Tess committing cold-blooded murder was horrific. But Nena had cared nothing for Tess’s feelings. Meanwhile, Jamie was the sort to feel his sister’s pain. The prize could have been an enemy removed and a valuable painting to sell. The money would seriously ease their situation.

She put her toast down. Didn’t feel hungry. ‘I can see it, Gus. It would be a terrible, desperate plot, but it’s possible.’

Eve followed the train of thought. She was already sure Jamie had been away from his desk long enough to steal and stow Nena’s painting. It would have been risky, but less so than sneaking off for forty minutes to commit murder. Meanwhile, Tess could have left any time after 11.15, when she and Liam had talked to Sadie. She could have told Nena she wanted to meet and used the back stairs and the dining-room exit to sneak out. Eve doubted Nena would have seen the danger, least of all from kind, gentle Tess.

All Tess needed was for Liam to alibi her. Either he was in on it, or more likely – given he wouldn’t slash pillows for a dead woman – he’d been presented with a fait accompli. In that case, it would have been in his interests to agree. If he gave her away, he’d lose out too. And besides, he’d wanted to get rid of Nena.

Eve drained her coffee. ‘I don’t like any of this,’ she said, giving Gus a pat, ‘but however awful it is, it has to be resolved.’

Gus got up and shook himself as Eve grabbed her mobile. She needed to tell the police what she’d discovered.

She spoke to Greg Boles and explained why she thought Liam was innocent.

‘Don’t get me wrong, he’s a nasty piece of work, but slashing the pillows makes no sense if he knew Nena would never see them. And the murder looks premeditated now.’

‘True…’ Greg didn’t sound convinced. He lowered his voice. ‘I’m not sure the DI will believe it.’

Eve had to admit it wasn’t proof, but she was sure in her own mind.

At that moment, a hubbub started in Greg’s office. It increased in volume. Urgent comments. A voice raised in command.

‘I’m sorry, Eve.’ Greg sounded breathless. ‘I’ve got to go. There’s been a development.’

She was left wondering, a chill trickle of fear snaking down her spine. Echoes of last night’s footfalls played in her head. Ridiculous.

‘C’mon, Gus.’ She fetched his leash, half wanting to stay inside and close her eyes to reality. It wouldn’t do. ‘We need to find out what’s going on.’

As they walked up Haunted Lane towards the village green, hope did battle with fear. Greg’s office had gone from being calm and quiet to a hive of urgent activity. That could mean one of two things.

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