Guilty Party by Candy Denman

Author:Candy Denman [Denman, Candy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: The Book Folks bestselling British crime fiction publisher
Published: 2020-06-13T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Having finished her coffee and paid the bill, Callie wandered back into the main town for her second appointment of the day. Penny Thomas had agreed to meet her for a coffee and a sandwich. Callie thought she had better start drinking decaf or she would be buzzing by the end of the day.

It was clear that Miller was not going to get involved in John Dixon’s case and was desperately trying to persuade himself and his senior officers that any investigation into Adrian Cole’s death should be undertaken by Kent police. Callie understood the constraints he was under with budgets and staffing, but with different police forces investigating each incident, including Hampshire police following up on Doreen Ponting and the CPS, there was a danger that no one would put the pieces together unless she did. She was sure that they did fit together, but the question was how? It was frustrating that Miller had not been able to answer her questions on John Dixon’s condition. She was going to have to get that information some other way.

The café chosen by Penny Thomas had a selection of salads, sandwiches and homemade soups, which pleased both women as it meant they wouldn’t be breaking too many diet rules. It looked as if Penny was still being conscientious about her fat club regimen – her figure was as slim as ever.

Once the formalities were over and Penny had assured her that she was doing fine Callie asked her about working at Townsend Bartlett.

“How long have you worked there?”

“Nigh on a month now,” Penny told her.

“And did you know the person you took over from? Or why she left?”

“No. I don’t know her. I don’t really know anyone who has worked there.” Penny thought for a while. “If you look back at the payroll...” She glanced at Callie. “I’m allowed, I sometimes have to check things on it.”

Callie would not have minded if Penny had been snooping; in fact, it might have been quite useful if she had.

“And I must say I noticed that there have been quite a few people in my job in recent years. Not that it’s anything unusual, I mean, receptionists often move jobs.”

But Callie thought she knew exactly why they changed so often.

“Perhaps they didn’t like having to go to Mr Townsend’s flat?” she ventured.

“Could be,” Penny said. “It was a bit weird, now you mention it, I can see some people objecting. Not that anyone would expect to find him strung up like that.”

“I don’t suppose you remember any of the names of people who worked there before you?” Callie asked. “From when you checked the payroll?”

Penny shook her head and then looked sheepish.

“Well, I do remember one, actually. I was at school with her, she was the year above me. Right cow, she was. At least I thought so at the time, but that was probably because she was going out with a boy I’d set my sights on. Helena Dyrda. Polish, or half-Polish, I think she was.

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