Rubies and Revenge by Rodney Strong

Author:Rodney Strong
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Cozy Mystery, Women sleuth, Amateur sleuth
Publisher: Rodney Strong
Published: 2024-06-30T00:00:00+00:00

FIFTEEN

One of the benefits of designing and overseeing the construction of the Silvermoon Retirement Village was that Alice had been free to incorporate some special features.

She’d never used this particular one before but there was a first time for everything.

Because this apartment was identical to hers, the spare bedrooms backed onto each other. In particular, the spare bedroom wardrobe shared a wall with hers.

Alice stood in the wardrobe now, running her hands over the wall. She found the right spot and pressed firmly with both hands. There was an audible click and a small section of the wall, half her height, popped open on a hinge.

‘What the actual heck!’

Alice glared at Vanessa.

‘You do understand the concept of stealth, don’t you?’ she said, quietly.

‘Sorry,’ Vanessa whispered.

Alice stooped and walked through the gap, pushing open the wardrobe door on the other side, and stepping into her own apartment. Swiftly crossing the bedroom, she peered through the open door.

The place was empty, but she knew there was a constable outside the front door. He was currently eating a bacon and egg sandwich, courtesy of Vanessa, and settling in for a long boring night.

Richard DuPont’s body had been removed by the police and, unlike the television programmes of the sixties and seventies, there was no chalk outline. She was still going to have to replace the carpet.

Vanessa joined her at the door and they split up. They’d already discussed what they were looking for — anything that didn’t belong, or anything that was missing. Alice was confident that Vanessa knew the apartment well enough to spot anything out of the ordinary.

Vanessa started in the kitchen and Alice in her bedroom. There was evidence someone had been in there, but it was most likely the police officer collecting her overnight things.

When she emerged into the living area, Vanessa was on her hands and knees looking under the coffee table. She straightened up and shook her head. The light was fading rapidly and they couldn’t risk switching on the overhead lights. Alice stood in the middle of the room and did a slow rotation. Nothing leapt out at her. She checked her watch, then did one more turn. Halfway around, she stopped.

Something by the front door. From this distance, she couldn’t tell what, but something was out of place.

Treading lightly, Alice crossed to the door, just as the lock clicked and the handle turned.

Stepping to the side, she held her breath and pressed herself against the wall. She couldn’t see Vanessa.

The door swung open.

A shadow stepped through the doorway and stopped just out of sight.

Suddenly the room was flooded with light.

Alice blinked a few times to adjust her eyes and went cold when she saw Vanessa’s foot sticking out beyond the edge of the couch.

Seconds dragged as she waited for Vanessa’s foot to be seen.

Finally, the lights flicked off and the door swung close. A click indicated the lock had engaged.

Alice let out her breath.

She took a step and a shooting pain went through her left calf.

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