Sculpt a Murder: Cozy up with a must read mystery (Alice Haydon Mysteries Book 2) by Lily Ashton

Author:Lily Ashton [Ashton, Lily]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Magenta Lily Publishing
Published: 2019-12-13T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

Two men were dead over a statue of a dog. Alice was no nearer to understanding why, even after seeing it. A stone dog, in a pet cemetery, in a wood. It did not look as if anyone had visited the site for years. Why would anybody care about it?

Alice manoeuvred the Defender into a tight spot on Great Wheaton high street and began walking. The Town Hall clock struck five, so she picked up speed and darted into the framer’s shop.

Terry Conrad had begun his working life as a carpenter until he realised he could make more money, more easily, with a framing service. He had opened his shop thirty years ago, framing expensive paintings, school photographs and amateur watercolours for local residents. Alice supposed that Terry could tell a lot about people from the images they brought him and she wondered what he thought about Emilio Gambi.

“That’s a fine collection of photographs.” Terry rubbed his stubbly chin. “I haven’t framed a family of Italian pizza makers before. They’re a good looking lot, especially that Dean Martin. What relation is he?”

“He’s an imaginary cousin! I’m not sure how he got there, but I’m told he’s a permanent part of the collection.”

Terry’s smile was wide enough to reveal a gap where a molar should be. “Well they’re all done for you. It’s at the higher rate, if that’s okay, since you needed them done quickly.”

Bandy legs took Terry to a back room and he returned with two of the pictures. One was a black and white photograph of Emilio with two young boys. An ivory mount with a thin red frame complemented the smiling family.

“Fantastic,” said Alice. “I’m really pleased with that. How did you get on with the others?”

Terry turned towards the window and the light caught a diamond in his ear. “All good, expect for the really old one.”

“Yes, Nonno’s picture is the one I was worried about. How did it work out?”

Terry handed over the second picture. “See for yourself.”

This photo was smaller than the previous one. It was double mounted and had the same red frame. Nonno Gambi was laughing as he shook the mayor’s hand. The photo looked clearer than Alice remembered.

“This is terrific, Terry. You’ve cut off the damaged bottom section, but you don’t notice that this photo is smaller than the others because the double mount gives it more body. In fact, it will stand out on the wall, which is exactly what Emilio wanted. That’s clever.” Alice lifted the image closer. “But you’ve done something to the surface. It looks newer. What is it?”

Terry tapped the side of his nose. “Terry’s secret.” He laughed. “Glad you like it.”

“Emilio will be delighted.”

“It’s Sunday, the opening, isn’t it?”

“Yes, so I’ll be hanging these tomorrow.”

Terry took the photo back. “I’ll get them wrapped up and delivered to Emilio’s first thing.”

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