and known the code. There are only four of us who have that information; Rebecca and Mark are in France and we were together, so who the hell did it?"
"Let's leave it to the police to find out," Shona advised her friend. "We've got lots to do before we finish for the weekend." She drained the last of her coffee and began the mammoth task of tidying up.
"I agree with you, James," Detective Dan Connolly of the Crime Scene Unit confirmed his colleague's suspicions that the burglary at M&R Photography was not a random break-in. "We couldn't find anything substantial of an evidential nature. The closed circuit television footage of the immediate area showed that the camera at the side of the building where the office was located was disabled. Two other cameras showed a car entering the area at 9.22 p.m . and parking in front of the office. However, it was impossible to see who was in the car or even how many people were there ."
"It's strange," Detective Leary was thoughtful. "Only four people had the access code and keys and every one of them can account for their whereabouts last night."
"I'm sure something will turn up," Detective Connolly said. "It usually does."
"I'm knackered," Shona yawned loudly as she hauled her suitcase out of the car. The drive to Westport had taken longer than usual due to a serious accident on the motorway.
"Yeah, me too. I couldn't be bothered going out tonight. Why don't we order a pizza and share a bottle of wine instead of going into town?"
"Great idea." Shona dropped her bags in the hall and switched on the central heating.
"It's cold," Penelope shivered and went in search of a bottle of wine . "You'd never think it was almost the end of April. I wish I was in France sunning myself on Rebecca's yacht right now."
"I don't, not if we had to put up with Mark's presence." Shona poured two large glasses of the wine which Penelope had conveniently found in the refrigerator .
"Actually, forget it. It'll be lovely and cosy here in a short while once the heating gets going." Penelope dug about in the freezer until she found her favourite pizza ; pepperoni and cheese.
"Is there anything entertaining on TV tonight?" Shona asked, flicking through the channels.
"Yes, stop right there! X F actor repeats," Penelope demanded.
"Do we have to watch it?" Shona groaned.
"Oh come on! How can you possibly resist? It's trashy television at its very best! Anyway, who needs to go out when we can spend our evening with the hunky Simon Cowell. Now he's the man for me," Penelope grinned.
"Oh my God! Simon Cowell?" Shona flung a cushion at her friend incredulously. "He's such a cliche."
"He's a very rich cliche. Besides, he's got that provocative mix of power and money with a whole lot of bad boy thrown in for good measure. He's irresistible; my ideal man."
"I think you need your eyes tested! Have you seen how high he wears his trousers? And he's always got the same t - shirt on. You'd think w ith all his riches he’d hire a stylist. It just proves that money can't buy taste."
"Well, I think he's perfect," Penelope stared dreamy-eyed at the television screen while Sh ona poured herself another large glass of wine.
"Hello," Shona picked up her mobile phone sleepily. She'd dozed off shortly after X F actor had started. Simon Cowell's charms hadn't been enough to keep her awake.
"I believe you've lost a few computers," a woman's voice on the other end of the line replied.
"Yes," was all Shona could manage to say in response.
"I'll be at your house in five minutes," and with that the caller hung up abruptly.
"Who's that calling at this hour of the night?" Penelope glanced at her watch. It was after midnight. "We weren't expecting any visitors were we?"
"No, but it seems someone’s on their way," Shona replied.
Penelope stared in concern at her friend's ashen face. "Shona, what's wrong? Who was that on the phone?"
"I don't know but she said she'd be here in five minutes to talk