No Suspicious Circumstances by The Mulgray Twins

Author:The Mulgray Twins [Helen and Morna Mulgray]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9780749013806
Publisher: Allison & Busby
Published: 2012-10-08T16:00:00+00:00

In a last defiant gesture against Mrs Mackenzie and her rules, Gorgonzola spent an untroubled night stretched out on my bed. Which is more than can be said for me. As the brief darkness of the June night gave way to the pale grey of dawn, I lay there open-eyed and sleepless, staring up at a mark on the ceiling. It could be done, yes, it could be done. Though to get Customs to mount a mock drug drop somewhere would take a deal of persuasion. Officialdom being what it was, there would be countless obstacles to overcome. But my department carried a certain amount of clout and… Optimism restored, I fell into a deep and dreamless sleep for a whole three hours.

Before I showered, I communicated with headquarters to give them time to mull over my request. Then I packed, subjected the sheets to a close inspection for cat hairs, and disposed of all evidence. There was no other difficulty as far as Gorgonzola was concerned. I could tell she was feeling a trifle guilty about yesterday’s little incident, so I was sure I’d find her near the car.

Breakfast was served by Murdo Mackenzie, sleepy-eyed and somewhat rumpled. He’d either been up early loading tins of haggis onto his van, or mounting an all night anti-cat patrol round the goldfish pond.

After breakfast I gathered up the holdalls and went downstairs to face the Gorgon. Mrs Mackenzie had taken up a strategic position behind the heavy reception counter. When she saw me, she compressed her lips into a thin line of disapproval, then mindful of my Mafia connections, stretched them in an ingratiating smile.

‘If you’ll just present me with my account, Mrs Mackenzie, I’ll be on my—’

‘I think you’ll find it all in order, Miss Smith.’ The bill was slapped down in front of me. A bony finger pointed at the items near the bottom of the page under the heading EXTRAS.

Breakfast in room

Accommodation of pet

Additional change of bed linen

Restocking of garden pond with fish

All of which inflated the final bill by a totally exorbitant amount. I’d have a lot of explaining to do when I submitted my expense sheet.

I thought it prudent to adopt a chastened and penitent exterior. ‘All very reasonable, Mrs Mackenzie,’ I mumbled.

With the public side of my business completed, I left The White Heather Hotel.

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