The Last Word by Elly Griffiths

Author:Elly Griffiths [Griffiths, Elly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Mystery & Detective, Suspense, Thriller
ISBN: 9781529433456
Published: 2024-04-22T14:00:00+00:00

They have lunch in a Hastings pub, a lopsided building full of twisted beams and secret staircases, where the floor is so uneven that your glass slides across the table. Natalka loves English places like this. She has a ploughman’s lunch and a lemonade, because she’s driving. Benedict and Edwin both have half pints of beer. They discuss Liv and Sam.

‘Liv reminds me a bit of Harbinder,’ says Natalka.

‘Sam said something on Sunday night about her being Liv’s heroine,’ says Edwin. ‘I expect she’s a real role model for women on the force. Especially women of colour,’ he adds, in the slightly nervous tone he reserves for this phrase, hoping it’s the right one.

‘Who do you think they suspect?’ asks Benedict, cutting into the crust of his steak-and-kidney pie. The smell stops Natalka wanting to eat her ploughman’s. She pushes her plate to one side.

‘I think Liv was suspicious of Imogen,’ says Natalka. ‘She mentioned that thing about being wary of her.’

‘I can’t see Imogen as the murderer,’ says Edwin. He keeps saying this. It makes Natalka feel curious about the woman who led the course. Imogen Blythe’s Facebook page shows a thin wispy creature, not a likely killer, but she’s a crime writer which must mean that she’s thought a great deal about means and motive. The Peggy Smith case taught Natalka not to underestimate authors.

She says, ‘They dismissed any connection with books and writing but I think that’s the key. Malcolm was going to write about a murder but then he died – even if it was from natural causes. Sue took over and she was killed. That has to be the link. It’ll be interesting to see what your flute player has to say, Edwin.’

‘Flautist,’ says Edwin. An unnecessary correction, in Natalka’s opinion. ‘And it’s his son. But, yes, it will be interesting.’

Natalka’s phone buzzes. She guesses before she looks at the screen.

‘Minnie.’

‘What does she say?’ says Benedict.

‘The same as always. “Any news?”’

‘Well, we do have news,’ says Benedict. ‘Are you going to tell her about Sue?’

‘I don’t see why not. I mean, it’ll be in the papers soon.’

Natalka texts. ‘Yes. Are you up for a chat?’

The answer comes back immediately. ‘Can you come to Harmony’s house this afternoon?’ A map reference follows.

‘Interesting,’ says Natalka.

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