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. I know, said Libby,  I d just spoken to him.Whatwas his problem? He thinks Mum s worse than she is.I ve told himI ll take responsibility for her, whatever happens, but he sstill muttering curses.I never knew he had it in him. Perhaps she was his one true love, giggled Libby, like we said last night. God help them, then, snorted Peter. What a pair.Libby relayed this conversation to Fran, who stilllooked worried. And did you find out? she said. Find out? What? Where she was killed.TopPage No 294288Page 208ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html Oh, God, you re not still on about that! Libbystubbed out her cigarette and stood up. No, I didn t ask.The police didn t come to see Millie, so Peter hasn t seenthem, either.For goodness sake, what does it matter?Fran looked stubborn. It s important, she said. And did you ask them about the accidents? No, I didn t.I told them what you thought and leftthem to it.Pete didn t mention it just now.I ll ask himlater.As there s no reason now for her to be questioned,perhaps he doesn t think it matters. But it does, can t you see? If it wasn t Millie, whowas it?Suppressing the urge to ask when she was goinghome, Libby took the lunch crockery out to the kitchen. Sorry, Libby. Fran came up behind her. I ve beena right pain, haven t I? I ll go and put my things togetherand get out of your way.I ought to go now, anyway, orI ll get stuck in the rush hour.Immediately feeling guilty, Libby turned and smiled. You don t have to go yet if you don t want to, Fran.Youcan even stay tonight, but I ll have to turn you outtomorrow&  I know, the children are coming down. Fran smiledback. No, it s fine.I really enjoyed the play, and I hopethey find the murderer so you can all get on with yourlives. As long as it s not someone we know, said Libby, that s what terrifies me. Do you really think Peter, Harry or James could bea murderer? No, of course I don t. Or Ben? Fran smiled. I m sure it isn t any ofthem.TopPage No 295289 Well, that s good, I suppose.But if it isn t them wehaven t got any more suspects, have we? I expect the police have, said Fran. And didn tyou tell me James thought she d been having an affairwith someone else apart from him? Yes, but who? How will the police find out? They ll have gone through her house and herbelongings with a fine toothcomb, you ve seen that onTV.They re bound to find some evidence somewhere.And they ll ask all the other people she knew, not justyou lot in the village.Where did she work, for a start? Good heavens! Libby sat on the edge of the tablewith a bump. Do you know, I haven t the faintest idea. Well, there you are then.Stop worrying. But you re worried.You wanted to know about theaccidents, and where she was killed.You must think it sgot something to do with us.Page 209ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlFran looked away. Just a feeling.You know I m notalways right.And I know it isn t Peter, Harry, James orBen.And with that small comfor t, she went upstairs topack.TopPage No 296290Chapter Twenty-nineLibby changed the bed after Fran had gone, and fell overSidney on the way down the stairs when the phone rang. It s me, said Ben. Hi. Libby took a deep breath to calm her solarplexus. Bad news, I m afraid. Oh, God, what? Millie? No, James. Ben s voice sounded strained. They vearrested him.Libby felt the blood drain from her head and she satdown suddenly on the stairs. Arrested him? Why? Why do you think? Actually, I don t think Davidsaid arrested, he s just helping with their enquiries. What evidence did they have? How do I know? said Ben, testily. Sorry. Libby found she was trying hard not to cry. Where s Pete? And Millie? Millie s still with Susan and Pete s gone to thepolice station.Harry s being a little soldier and carryingon in the face of adversity. Don t be so sarcastic, said Libby sharply. I ll goand see if there s anything I can do.I can leave the kidsto sort themselves out.They ve got keys. I m sorry, Lib, said Ben, more gently. It s been abloody awful few days. It has for all of us, Ben, said Libby. I m very sorryfor your family, but I got involved too, and Harry is, afterall, Pete s life partner.If he was Pete s wife he d deservea bit more sympathy, wouldn t he?TopPage No 297291She heard Ben sigh. OK, OK.Sorry.Is Fran stillPage 210ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlthere? No, she s gone.You knew she was comingyesterday, if you wanted to see her, why didn t you comeround then? Or come to the theatre? I was busy.I did try and phone you to see how youwere. I was here.There was a short silence. Well, I m sorry.I don t seem to be able to doanything right. Libby heard him sigh again. Don t worry about it, she said. James is the onewe have to think about now, so stop thinking aboutyourself.I m going to the caff.Feeling righteously indignant, she put down thephone and went to find paper to write a note for herchildren who were due to arrive some time that afternoon.She left messages on their mobiles, fed Sidney, flung hercape around her shoulders, pi cked up her basket and setoff.She had no idea what she was going to do, but to sitat home while James was in such a terrible predicamentseemed utterly callous.The Pink Geranium was locked, and when Libbycalled his mobile, Harry told her he was at home. Come on up, he said. You can stop me drinkingmyself into a stupor.Sure enough, he opened the door clutching a brandyballoon at least half full. Shall I make some tea? asked Libby, stepping overthe threshold and throwing her cape onto a chair. If you don t want to join me, said Harry, wavinghis glass dangerously. Bit early for me, said Libby, going in to thekitchen,  unless I d been drinking since lunchtime.TopPage No 298292 Well, I have.Since Pete came back to the caff,anyway. What happened? Libby moved the big kettle on tothe hotplate and found two of Harry s pretty china mugs. Well, you know they decided not to question Pete smama? Yes, I phoned him just after lunch. So you did. What I don t know is whether he and Jamesactually went back up to see her, and how they found outabout the police. Oh, yes, they went up there.And James phoned thepolice station and they said they weren t coming. Did he ask why? Don t ask me, chuck.I wa sn t there.Anyway, Petecomes back all chuffed and we had a drink.There weren tany customers so we were on our own. Harry put downPage 211ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlhis glass and fetched milk. Then David phoned. David? Where was he? He d gone home to check on mad Millie and foundJames being hauled into custody. Christ. Libby stared at him. It doesn t seempossible, does it?Harry shook his head and swirled brandy moodilyround the glass.Libby poured water into the mugs and added milk. Come on, sit down and tell me the rest.When Libby had curled up in her usual chair andHarry had flung himself along the sofa, he sighed and putdown the brandy glass. Tea, I suppose.I d better keep a clear head. If you ve been drinking since lunchtime that s anon-starter, said Libby. Tell me what happened next [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]