Too Bright for Murder by Isobel Blackthorn

Author:Isobel Blackthorn [Blackthorn, Isobel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Next Chapter

13

Jacob and Vanessa took control of where we would have breakfast, Vanessa opting for where they had gone before.

‘Look, there are plenty of empty tables,’ she said as Phil touched the brake.

‘And we know why,’ was Jacob’s retort, and Phil carried on cruising down the main street. ‘I found a place further down that was mobbed, remember. We should go there.’

‘We won’t get a table.’

‘Let’s at least try.’

As the eatery in question came into view, Jacob cried out, ‘Look, the place is nearly empty. Are we agreed?’

‘We’re agreed,’ said Di, intervening.

By the time Phil had parked and we had decanted and made it to the eatery, the circumstances had changed thanks to a sudden influx of tourists who occupied almost all the tables. Jacob went and stood beside a table in the outdoor area that could only accommodate a fifth chair. I went and poked my head inside the entrance and spied a table for two right at the back of what was a fairly ordinary-looking café. A quick scan around and I knew this was not an establishment for the snobby readers of Southern Lifestyle.

There was a lot of fuss as Vanessa tried to negotiate with the waitstaff, and an awkward moment when she started to ask a couple sitting nearby to relocate to the free table inside. The couple were nonplussed at first, but then they started to grow indignant. Jacob looked about to make a suggestion when I cut in with, ‘Doris and I will take that table at the back. It’s perfectly fine.’ And I steered Doris away before anyone could voice an objection.

The moment we were sitting down readying to place an order, Doris leaned forward, all conspiratorial.

‘Find anything?’

I was about to answer when a young woman approached with an order pad.

‘Two white coffees and two ham and cheese croissants,’ I said, ordering for us both.

Doris looked up at the woman. ‘Just a minute.’ She turned to me. ‘This croissant thing is becoming a habit.’

‘I’m not feeling that adventurous when it comes to food.’

She scanned the menu. ‘And we’ll have a smashed avocado bruschetta to share, thanks.’

The woman hurried off. Doris leaned forward, gripping the table to either side of her. She’d gone all Miss Marple on me.

‘Now, tell me,’ she said, narrowing her eyes.

‘Please remove that look on your face. People are not blind.’ I said it as I leaned back and laughed as though I had just told a joke. ‘And whatever you do, don’t glance over at the others.’

She sat back with her hands in her lap. Satisfied, I spoke.

‘I didn’t find anything. Only, Burt’s room felt odd. The bed was perfectly made. His case was on the floor beside it, unpacked. There were no clothes in the wardrobe or in the drawers. Nothing at all of his lying around. No phone. Just that suitcase. It’s as though he never unpacked, never even got undressed for bed.’

Doris nodded sagely. ‘He was very drunk the night before. I expect he passed out on the bed fully clothed.

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