The Diamond Cat by Marian Babson

Author:Marian Babson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Open Road Media
Published: 2019-10-07T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

“Humph!” Mrs. Bilby appeared in the doorway and swept them with a withering look, clearly unimpressed and letting them know it. “So they’re still here!”

“We haven’t finished our inquiries, madam.” Inspector Hughes remained seated, firmly anchored by Enza, who had settled down on his lap. At least, Bettina divined, that was his ostensible excuse; it was also more than possible that he had not forgiven Mrs. Bilby her earlier remark and saw no reason to extend any courtesies to her. Her present attitude wasn’t going to ease the situation, either. The inspector sent a sharp glance towards the constable, who had risen to his feet and the unfortunate young man dropped back into his chair, his face turning bright pink.

“I don’t know why you have to make any inquiries here,” Mrs. Bilby said. “That stupid man drowned in the Romes’ garden, not ours. You should be next door talking to them.”

“We’ll get to them, madam. I understand the deceased and another man had been in every garden in the vicinity yesterday afternoon. Do you know why they—”

“Because the Water Board is staffed by a pack of incompetent idiots!” Mrs. Bilby could not wait for the end of the question to enlighten him. “None of them can remember where they’ve put their drains. Every time we looked out of the windows yesterday—front or back—there were fools splashing about in puddles. It’s a wonder more of them haven’t drowned.”

Adolf voiced a sudden opinion as to someone he would like to see drowned. Mrs. Bilby glared at him and he glared back.

“We’re trying to trace his movements during the day. Could either of you tell us what time he was here?”

“You’re not a local man,” Mrs. Bilby accused suddenly. “You have a different accent—a country accent.”

“That’s right,” Inspector Hughes said. “I’m from the West Sussex Constabulary. A group of us from different regions have been seconded to your local station to make up for the suspensions. Not enough, though. The station is still short-staffed and fully stretched, but we’re doing our best. If you could kindly answer the questions, it would help us a great deal.”

“Helping with inquiries!” Mrs. Bilby said “We all know what that means. Do you suspect”—her eyes gleamed—“foul play?”

“In this case, it means just what it says.” He gave her a jaded look. “We are simply trying to establish what happened. The man was dead when the ambulance arrived and the accident report has to have a routine follow-up.”

“They were here most of the afternoon,” Bettina said. “In one back garden or another. Most of the neighbours are away for the holiday, so they were able to poke about without interference. They—the man who died—came to our back door sometime about half past three and wanted to come in and check the roof, but Mother wouldn’t let him in.”

“Check the roof, indeed!” Mrs. Bilby sniffed. “What would the Water Board be doing with the roof? Burglars, that’s what they were! They didn’t fool me! Wanted to look around and see what was worth stealing, so that they could come back later and get it.

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