Death Takes A Trip (Julia Blake Cozy Mystery Book 5) by Gillian Larkin Read Free Book Online Page A

forget about the voices that I heard, and the rock that was thrown
through the window. I still have the rock if you want to dust it for
fingerprints. And it hasn ’ t rained since I saw those footprints in the woods, you could take some
impressions. ”
    DI Clarke held his hands up. “ Steady on there, Miss Marple, let me have a look at Mr Pedley ’ s body and the surrounding area first. I ’ ll decide if we ’ re dealing with a murder enquiry. ” “ I ’ m only trying to help, ” Julia said, a note of indignation in her voice.
    “ Yes, but your
definition of help and mine are totally different. Who else is in the house? ” “ Cain, and Nina
Sapphire. She was Douglas ’ girlfriend, ” Julia said. “ She ’ s very upset.
She ’ s convinced
that Joshua Bentley, he ’ s the one that fixed the carpet, is at fault. She thinks you ’ re here to look into that. ”
    “ I think it ’ s best if we send the grieving girlfriend home. If I ’ m going to look into this case properly I don ’ t want to be interrupted by wailing and whining. ”
    “ You ’ re all heart, ” Julia said.
    The inspector ’ s mouth rose at one side and he said, “ I ’ ve been told
on many occasions that I don ’ t have a heart. Lead on, Ms Blake. I trust you haven ’ t contaminated anything in the house. ”
    Julia took DI Clarke into the house and introduced him
to Nina. DI Clarke had already met Cain on a previous occasion.
    DI Clarke listened politely to Nina ’ s accusations against Joshua Bentley. When she paused for breath, he
said, “ Thank you, I
will make a note of your concerns. You can leave now, I ’ ll be in touch. ”
    Nina turned panic-filled eyes to Julia and said, “ I can ’ t go home! I
don ’ t want to be
alone! Julia, what shall I do? ”
    Julia said, “ What about your friend, Doris? Could you go to her house? If you ’ ve got her number I ’ ll phone her for you. ”
    “ Thank you, you
are too kind. ”
    DI Clarke clasped his hands behind his back and waited
patiently until the phone call had been made. He politely coughed when Julia
said she ’ d phone a taxi
for Nina. He said firmly, “ There ’ s no need for
you to stay, Ms Blake. You can drive Ms Sapphire to her friend ’ s house. ” He caught her inquisitive look and added, “ I ’ ve got everything
under control here, back up is on its way. Off you go. ”
    Julia could tell from his expression that there was no
point arguing with him. She helped Nina to her feet and walked past him,
shooting him a look to say that she wasn ’ t happy at being told to leave.
    Nina began a fresh bout of crying as they drove away.
Julia pressed her lips together. DI Clarke wasn ’ t going to dismiss her that easily. Something fishy was going on here,
and she was determined to find out the truth behind Douglas ’ death.

 

 
    Chapter 10

 
    Doris was more than happy to have Nina stay at her
house. “ You stay here
as long as you like, ” Doris told her. “ What a terrible shock you ’ ve had. I can ’ t believe your
Douglas is dead. ” She tutted. “ That Joshua
Bentley has got a lot to answer for, wait ’ til I see him! ”
    Julia interjected, “ We don ’ t know that it
was Joshua ’ s fault. ”
    “ Who else ’ s could it be? ” Doris snapped. She turned her attention back to Nina
who was lying on her sofa, a blanket tucked around her. “ You stay there, Nina, I ’ ll make us a cuppa. You ’ re in shock. I ’ ve phoned the girls, they ’ re on their way round. ”
    “ But what about
the shop? They can ’ t all leave at
the same time. Doris, don ’ t let them get into trouble on my behalf, ” Nina said.
    “ Old
Misery-guts can look after the shop herself. Where else would your friends be
at a time like this? By your side of course! You ’ d do the same for us. ”
    Nina gave her a grateful smile and said, “ Thank you. ” She started crying again and quickly wiped her tears away. “ Oh, I ’ m so sorry. I
was supposed