Lois Meade 14 - Suspicion at Seven Read Free

Lois, and she frowned as the door opened and Gran entered bearing a tray of coffee and home-baked biscuits.
    “You all right, Lois?” she said, frowning. “You look like a ghost! What’ve you been saying to my daughter, Inspector?”
    “Oh, I’m okay, Mum. Thanks for the coffee.”
    The inspector had jumped up to help, and now closed the door behind a scowling Gran.
    “Sorry, Lois. I didn’t mean to alarm you. But I am afraid that Donald Black is still under surveillance. I am not sure how much he has told his wife, but she must be aware.”
    “Poor Aurora. What a slimy toad he must be. Beats me how he fathered that lovely Milly.”
    “Don’t jump to conclusions, Lois. As I said, his alibi is watertight. In fact, so much so, that it is in itself odd, to say the least. Most of us cannot account for every minute of our day and night.”
    “Anything more to tell me?”
    “Only that Miss Sylvia Fountain is known to us. Nothing serious. A little light shoplifting now and then. Also hires herself out to the highest bidder. Family money behind her, apparently.”
    “Where does she come from?”
    “Variously at a number of addresses. Widowed aunt lives in relative luxury locally. Several brothers, who return to our notice on a regular basis. Small-time crooks, and not worth our time and trouble, mostly.”
    Lois did not reply for a minute, and then said that she presumed he wanted her to concentrate on the Brigham end of the case.
    The inspector rose to his feet. “You know, my love, that whatever you decide to do is helpful to us. As long as you keep in touch and don’t do anything foolish.”
    “Thanks, Cowgill. To be honest, I look at it like this. If I can help Aurora in any way, then I shall do so. And before you say it, I shall remember to keep mum on everything you’ve told me.”
    He laughed. “That’s my girl,” he said, and leaned across the desk to give her a light kiss. She did not push him away, but said, “You’re allowed one. Being as you’re family.”

F OUR

    “D ouglas phoned while you were out with Jeems,” Derek said.
    Lois had taken her dog to the nearby woods early, before breakfast. “She caught a rabbit,” she said. “I’ve left it in the scullery for you to deal with. I was a bit cross with her, but as she killed it quickly, I thought we might as well not waste it. Mum loves rabbit.”
    “What’s that Mum loves?” said Gran, coming into the kitchen.
    Lois told her, and her long-suffering mother said that as long as Derek drew and skinned it, she’d make rabbit pie for tonight’s supper.
    “I might be out for supper,” Lois said. “Aurora has asked me over to see some new stuff Donald has for sale. She wants me to stay for supper. Perhaps we could have rabbit pie tomorrow?”
    Gran sniffed. “You don’t fool me, Lois Meade,” she said. “You’re ferretin’ again. To do with that strangled tart, I suppose.”
    Lois did not deny this, but said Josie’s birthday was coming up, and Donald Black had got some new stuff to show her.
    “I should think we could do better than that rubbish for our Josie’s birthday,” said Derek. “I suppose it is no good saying you’d do better to keep well away from Brigham and that latest case?”
    “Who said anything about the latest case?” said Lois.
    “Inspector Cowgill did,” said Gran. “I just happened to be coming along with your coffee, and you know what a deep voice he has. It carries, you know.”
    “Mum! You were listening at the keyhole!”
    “Of course I wasn’t! How can you say such a thing to your own mother?”
    “Oh well. I expect the full details will be in the local papers by now. But for heaven’s sake, if you heard anything else, keep it to yourself. And in answer to you, Derek my love, I promise to keep well away from anything dangerous. I really want to help in this case for Aurora’s sake.”
    “Haven’t you forgotten something?” said Gran with a smirk.
    “No. Don’t think so.”
    “Your son