Winding Up the Serpent by Priscilla Masters Read Free Book Online Page B

it.’
    The surgery was a modern, red brick, purpose-built building in the centre of town, with a raised roof which made it resemble a Chinese pagoda.
    Joanna pulled into the car park, into a slot marked with a yellow sign. It read Nurse.
    There were still a few patients sitting in the waiting room and as Joanna approached the hatch she was met by an anxious, questioning face. A tall redhead with pale freckles.
    â€˜Yes?’
    Joanna showed her card. ‘Detective Inspector Piercy,’ she said. ‘I’m afraid I have some bad news.’
    She was ushered through the door and the two women listened to her, watching with shocked eyes.
    â€˜Dead?’ one of them said incredulously, when she had finished. ‘Marilyn dead?’
    The smaller receptionist with thick pebble-lensed glasses frowned. ‘How?’ she asked.
    Mike stepped forward. ‘We don’t know,’ he said, ‘yet. There’ll have to be a post-mortem.’
    The receptionist seemed to shrink. She sank down into a chair and passed a hand across her face, biting her lip hard and frowning.
    â€˜Do you mind if we ask you some questions?’
    The two women looked apprehensive.
    â€˜When did you last see Marilyn Smith?’
    The redhead answered. ‘Yesterday. She came to work as normal. She left about ...’ She glanced at the other woman. ‘What time was it, Maureen?’
    â€˜Just after five.’
    Mike watched them both like a hawk, hungry for clues. Joanna sensed his impatience.
    â€˜What’s your name, love?’ he said.
    â€˜Maureen.’ She warmed to the male charms of the tall policeman.
    â€˜Did she seem normal?’
    She nodded, pale now and shocked. ‘Yes. Exactly the same as usual.’ She hesitated. ‘How did she die?’ she whispered.
    â€˜Did she have any health problems, Maureen?’ Mike was turning on the charm full force.
    Maureen shook her head. ‘No. She always seemed all right.’
    â€˜I never even heard her complain of a headache,’ the redhead butted in.
    â€˜What time was she due at work?’
    â€˜Half past eight this morning. She was never late. She took her work very seriously.’
    â€˜Did she have a boyfriend?’
    Maureen shook her head. ‘Not that I know of.’ She looked at her colleague. ‘I never heard her talk about one. Did you, Sall? At least ...’
    The redhead shook her head. ‘Just Ben.’ She giggled and the two of them flushed and exchanged some private joke.
    â€˜The dog?’ Mike asked the question and they nodded vigorously.
    â€˜Devoted to him, she was.’
    â€˜He went everywhere with her.’
    â€˜Except work.’
    â€˜She shut him in a compound all day then took him out when she went home. Sometimes the neighbours used to call ... say he was making a noise.’
    â€˜Like a burglar alarm, he was. Fierce dog.’
    â€˜I wouldn’t have crossed him.’
    Joanna frowned. ‘Had she been depressed lately, trouble sleeping ... Anything like that?’
    The women shook their heads. ‘Bouncy as ever. In fact ...’ Sally leaned forward like a conspirator, ‘She seemed extra pleased with herself lately. Chuffed. As if something was going to happen.’
    â€˜What did you think it was?’ Mike asked.
    â€˜She sort of hinted it was something to do with a married man ... someone with loads of money.’ Sally’s features sharpened. ‘I’ve never known anyone love money so much.’
    â€˜Did she ever have time off for sickness?’
    Again they shook their heads.
    â€˜Do you know who her next of kin was?’
    Maureen paused. ‘I know her mum was dead. That’s how she got the money to buy the house in Silk Street. Left her a fair bit. But as for the rest of the family ...’
    Joanna listened. ‘Father?’ she ventured.
    â€˜No, he died years ago.’ She looked at Joanna. ‘I never heard her talk