Apple Pie and Follies An Abi Button Cozy Mystery Romance #6 by Unknown

Author:Unknown
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 0000000000000
Published: 2021-10-26T04:52:58+00:00

Chapter 15

The locksmith came in mid-morning to fit a new lock and repair the damage. That was less expensive then we’d anticipated. He also advised us to get a stronger safe if we were going to keep cash on the premises. Melanie said it was best to save the money, and the last person to lock up should take the money from the till home with them, as it was so little value.

I didn’t use the locksmith Danny had used for old Mr Newton’s house. That stupid locksmith had given duplicate keys to Alice and her siblings, enabling them to get in and make a search before the official time to crack the cryptic clue – and do a considerable amount of damage to the furniture that they had inherited anyway, looking for hidden compartments.

He also gave us a reasonable quote for a simple alarm system. Pete, who had been listening, said something about locking the stable door after the horse had bolted, and I replied that lightning really could strike twice in the same place ‒ if we wanted to trade old sayings.

The locksmith, a man in his mid-forties, also quoted for a surveillance camera. He seemed surprised that we didn’t have one anyway. He said he could fit one that would run twenty-four seven, so it would sort out any possible trouble between the customers when we were open, as well as seeing anyone who broke in at night.

I felt his second point was probably more valid, as we had never yet had a punch-up between customers. Or between customers and staff for that matter. Then I remembered the fight between Pete and Signor Rocco. Oh well. Anyway, if we had the two jobs done together, Melanie and I agreed the job was affordable. The locksmith also pointed out that our insurance might cost us less.

We’d forgotten about our property insurance. I realised we should have informed our insurers immediately we discovered the break-in. Well, it probably wasn’t too late to do it now. They might even cover the cost of the new lock and damage to the safe.

I was on the phone to the insurance company, pleading urgency rather than insanity being the reason for going ahead to get the lock changed before informing them, when I noticed the police officer had come back. This looked promising. Perhaps they’d already caught Mr Latimer, or whoever it was Mr Latimer had asked to break in at some time during the night.

I finished the phone call and smiled at the officer. “Good news?” I said.

The expression on his face gave a subtle hint that he had not come to share good news. Nor had he come for a cup of our amazing coffee.

“We need to talk somewhere privately,” he said curtly. Good word that, curtly. It turned out to be a lot better than the news he brought.

“I believe you know Glenda Holdsworth.”

“Is that Glenda who keeps the cats’ charity shop?” I asked brightly, still not sensing any problems with the visit.

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