The QWERTY Murders by Liz Hedgecock

Author:Liz Hedgecock [Hedgecock, Liz]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: british detective, contemporary, cosy mystery, cozy mystery, Crime, detective fiction, English, Humour, Mystery, novel, Pippa Parker, Women's Fiction
Publisher: White Rhino Books
Published: 2019-11-11T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

‘So what do you think?’ asked Caitlin, as they moved the play kitchen into the middle of the church hall.

Pippa was glad that her expression was obscured from view by a plastic grill. ‘About what?’ she asked.

‘Don’t give me that,’ said Caitlin. ‘The murders! You know, the QWERTY Murders!’

‘Is that what they’re calling them?’ Pippa eyed the door. It was five to ten, but the chances of early birds were high. There had been a lot of new faces at the last couple of meetings, and they tended to be on time, rather than sloping in as Lila and Sam had done. Their eagerness was disconcerting.

‘It was all over the paper this morning,’ said Caitlin. ‘Even though Ritz was only an attempted murder.’

Gerald Tamblyn had taken the inspector at his word. That morning’s Chronicle and social media updates had been largely devoted to spreading the word, with detailed breakdowns of when and where the crimes were thought to have been committed, appeals to the public to come forward, and quotes from Inspector Fanshawe and PC Gannet (whose photo made him look sinister). The one thing which had not been shared was the new location of Gadcester FM and the newspaper staff.

‘Ritz would probably be upset at his car crash being described as “only” anything,’ said Pippa. ‘Still, QWERTY Murders sounds good. Especially as The ABC Murders was already taken.’

The missing book still bothered her. She had examined shopping bags, random drawers, and even the veg rack, but the book remained obstinately unfound.

‘And what’s your view?’ asked Caitlin, also glancing at the door.

‘I don’t have a view,’ said Pippa. ‘Nothing to do with me, no more trips to the police station.’

‘Pull the other one,’ said Caitlin.

‘I’m being vigilant, the same as any other public-spirited Gadcestershire citizen,’ said Pippa. ‘And don’t you poke about either. Whoever it is means business, and you don’t want to be letter C.’

‘Mmm,’ said Caitlin. ‘I’m probably safe, as my name actually begins with a C. You have to admit, it’s a bit tenuous.’

‘It is, rather,’ said Pippa. ‘But we can’t underestimate whoever’s doing this. So far they’ve got away with two crimes.’ The door creaked open and she went to greet another new face.

Caitlin tried to engage Pippa again at break time, but Pippa pleaded kitchen duties, since the new people still needed, as she put it, breaking in. ‘They’re ever so willing,’ she said, out of the side of her mouth, ‘but they don’t know where anything is.’

‘And to think, Pippa,’ Caitlin replied, ‘that two years ago you were a new girl.’

‘Ah yes, in the days before murder came to Much Gadding.’

‘Mmm.’ Caitlin regarded her speculatively. ‘Have you ever thought that you might be the problem?’

‘Do shut up and watch Ruby,’ said Pippa, heading for the kitchen. There it was easy to explain the urn and point to cupboards and find the sugar and the cake stand, and not to think about the murders.

Following her undercover mission, Pippa had managed to ring Inspector Fanshawe when Ruby went down for an afternoon nap.

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