by Vera Morris
She turned the glare focussed on Laurel onto him. ‘To return to the case, the problem is theft from guests. All the staff are long serving and they wonder if the thief might be one of the semi-permanent residents.’
‘We can send Laurel undercover as a chambermaid,’ Frank said, giving her a frosty smile. ‘That is, if you’re still around.’
Stuart looked from her to Frank. ‘Shall we break for coffee and discuss these cases after? Got anything nice for us?’ he asked Mabel.
Before she could reply Frank said, ‘I think we ought to press on. We can have coffee when we’ve finished. Dorothy, please continue.’
Dorothy rearranged her spectacles on her nose. ‘There isn’t a great deal more to say. All the details are on the sheet of paper I gave you. I can’t see any reason why we shouldn’t take the cases.’ She looked at Frank.
‘I agree. Any objections?’
‘I’m game, as long as you can guarantee there aren’t any crazy murderers lurking behind combine harvesters or sinister guests wandering the hotel in the small hours looking for victims,’ Stuart said, obviously trying to lighten the mood.
‘They seem straightforward cases,’ Laurel said. ‘Who will do what?’
‘ Stuart and I will take the farm machinery; do you think you can manage the hotel by yourself?’ Frank asked.
‘I’ll let you know once I’ve done some preliminary investigations,’ she replied.
‘Right, that’s settled,’ Dorothy said. ‘Item five, over to you, Laurel.’
‘Thank you, Dorothy.’ Frank wouldn’t look at her, just stared at the blotting paper. ‘I thought I ought to make my position in the agency clear. After the last case, which was distressing for all of us, I must admit I didn’t know if I could cope with another case like that. As you know, Oliver asked me to marry him.’ She paused. Now he was looking at her, his green eyes blazing. ‘I like Oliver very much, he is an intelligent, thoughtful man.’ His lips had started to curl. ‘But now I realise although I’m fond of him and find him attractive—’
‘For God’s sake, Laurel, spit it out. Are you leaving or staying?’ He looked attractively wild, his dark curls almost quivering with rage.
‘Please, Frank let me finish.’
The other three were giving each other looks and Stuart appeared to be on the point of bursting into laughter. She knew she was being cruel, but... ‘As I was saying, I’ve decided I can’t marry Oliver and I’ve told him of my decision.’
Frank let out a long, relieved breath.
‘However, something has happened recently. I’ve fallen in love and I hope you’ll all be pleased to meet him. He’s waiting outside.’
Frank’s mouth was open. ‘He’s outside?’
‘Yes, can I bring him in? Then we can all have coffee together.’ She looked at Dorothy, who inclined her head.
As she went to the door she heard Frank questioning Dorothy. ‘You knew about this?’
She didn’t hear the reply.
She returned. ‘Here you are. Isn’t he gorgeous?’ She held a black Labrador puppy in her arms. ‘His name’s Bumper, as that is what he’s good at.’ She walked over to Frank. ‘Here’s your Uncle Frank, Bumper.’ She dropped him in Frank’s lap. The puppy looked up at Frank, then started to nibble his hand.
‘Christ, take him back, he’s got shark’s teeth.’ Frank laughed, relief and another expression she wasn’t sure about written on his face.
She picked up Bumper and kissed him. ‘He can come with me for walks on the heath if you’re unavailable,’ she said.
‘And if I am available?’ he asked.
‘He can come anyway.’
‘He’s too young to go anywhere,’ Dorothy said, coming over to pet him. ‘He’s got to have all his jabs.’
‘So, he couldn’t go for a walk to the Eel’s Foot this evening?’ Frank asked, looking at Laurel.
She shook her head.
‘I’ll look after him,’ Mabel said. ‘It’s lovely to have a dog again. It was nice of you to ask me, Laurel. I’ll never get over Muffin being killed by that monster, but I’ve missed a dog’s company.’
‘You never told me that,’ Stuart said. ‘I’d have got you one, if I’d known.’
‘Do you fancy a walk after supper?’ Frank asked Laurel.
She smiled. It was the old Frank, quizzical, friendly, but perhaps a touch more... she mustn’t read too much into his expression. She lifted Bumper into the air, who squeaked and thrashed his fat little tail. ‘I do fancy a walk, and a pint of Adnams.’
Frank nodded. ‘Good. See you at supper. Dorothy, please accept the two cases. I’ll start checking on the stolen vehicles. Want to come with me, Stuart?’
They left and there was the noise of Frank’s Avenger being driven off at speed.
Laurel hugged Bumper to her. She had someone who loved her unconditionally. Perhaps one day.
THE END
Author’s Note
In 2015 I visited an exhibition of the art works of Joseph Cornell at the Royal Academy, London. Cornell was a recluse, who never spent a night away from home. He rambled through the streets of Queens, a residential borough of New York, picking up detritus such as tinfoil and pieces of plastic. Using these, with pages cut from magazines, he created boxed assemblages of fantastic works of art. Some, I found disturbing.
This was the inspiration for Thomas Coltman’s obsessive making of similar boxes to try and protect his dead wife, Audrey.
Acknowledgements
My thanks to:
The members of the Orford Ness National Trust team: the Warden, David Mason, and volunteers Bill Roberts, Mike Hawes and Guy Brown, but special thanks to Peter Whiley, who gave me the most comprehensive tour of the out-of-bounds areas of the Ness, regaled me with great anecdotes of happenings, and made suggestions on where to land a boat, places to hide a body and suitable explosives!
Simon, Gail, Oliver and Zara, for their help and love.
All members of my writing groups, but especially to the South Chiltern Writing Circle for listening patiently to this novel and for their friendship and helpful criticism.
All my friends for their fantastic support during a difficult year.
My editor, Jay Dixon, for her calm, professional approach as she helped to shape and polish this book, and her continuing dry wit.
Lastly, but certainly not least, my deepest thanks to Hazel, Katrin and Jamie of Accent Press, for their understanding and support.
Some Particular Evil
Who killed Susan Nicholson?
Laurel Bowman has started a new life as a teacher on the isolated Suffolk coast while she tries to get over the murder of her sister. But it seems she cannot escape from death.
Laurel is horrified to find that the headmaster’s wife has been killed, and all the school staff are suspects. The detective in charge, idiosyncratic DI Frank Diamond, was involved in her sister’s case. Together they start to unravel the truth. Soon the murderer strikes again and Laurel must fight, not just for justice, but for her life.
The Temptation
Where is David Pemberton?
Thirteen year old David has been missing for two years. It’s now up to Laurel Bowman and Frank Diamond of the Anglian Detective Agency to find him. But how do you solve a cold case with no leads?
As their first big case unravels, they uncover a circle of temptations, destruction and deceit. But the closer they get to an answer, the more exposed they are to danger. And now both Laurel’s and Frank’s lives are at risk
Proudly published by Accent Press
www.accentpress.co.uk
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