A Fair Murder (Julia Blake Cozy Mystery Book 6)

by Gillian Larkin

  “Whoa!” Dad interrupted. “Don’t even think about going on to that estate! The buses won’t even go on to the Clover Estate. Julia, I mean it! It’s dangerous in there. Promise me that you won’t go there.”

  Julia wiped a tear away. “I won’t, I promise. Shall I drive over to his house? His phone might need charging, that could be why he’s not returning my messages.”

  “No, you’re not going anywhere. I’ve got a spare key to Cain’s, I’ll go and see if he’s there.”

  Julia sniffed. “Why have you got a spare key?”

  She could hear the smile in Dad’s voice. “Because we’re friends, and he knows I’d only use his key in an emergency. Unlike you who’d find any excuse to go there.”

  Julia tutted but didn’t reply, her dad was right.

  Dad carried on, “I’ll go there now, and then I’ll phone you. Okay?”

  “Okay. Thanks Dad.”

  Julia tried to make herself busy as she waited for her dad’s call.

  He phoned thirty minutes later. “I’m at Cain’s house, he’s not here. I’ve fed Buster, his fish, closed his curtains and left a message for him to phone or text you when he gets home. I can’t do any more than that.”

  “Okay, thanks again Dad.”

  “Get some sleep,” Dad said as he ended the call.

  Julia didn’t get much sleep. She was up early the next day checking her phone. No messages from Cain. She tried to ring him – no reply.

  Julia drove to his house. The curtains were closed and no one answered the door. Julia swallowed her rising panic and phoned Dad. He promised to look for Cain even if that meant driving on to the Clover Estate. Dad said, “I’ll take Big Steve with me.”

  Julia’s mind was barely on her work as she visited her clients’ homes that morning. She hoped that no one complained about her unusually shoddy work.

  By lunchtime she knew she had to do something. She phoned DI Clarke.

  “Ah, Ms Blake, I was about to phone you,” the inspector said. “Your colleague, Cain Andrews, has been found …”

  “Found!” Julia screamed down the phone. “What do you mean, found? Is he dead? Unconscious?”

  “I think you’ve burst my eardrum, Ms Blake.” His tone softened. “He is alive. He was found unconscious at the edge of the Clover Estate this morning. He was found by someone walking their dog. Have you ever noticed that people walking their dogs often come across bodies?”

  Julia was in no mood to chat. “How is he? Where is he?”

  “He’s in the hospital. He’s awake and asking for you, and your dad. Ms Blake, he’s been badly beaten up. I fear that he was left for dead. Mr Andrews won’t tell me anything about his attack. Can you tell me anything?”

  Julia gripped her phone tighter. “I certainly can! It was one of his brothers, Gary! Cain went with him yesterday. Gary was taking him back to the family home so that they could have a talk. I knew something would happen! I didn’t like the look of that Gary! Are you going to arrest him?”

  There was silence for a moment. “I’m afraid I can’t do anything until I have Mr Andrews’ statement. I’ll speak to him again. I’m at the hospital now, shall I tell him you’re on the way?”

  “Yes, thank you.” Julia took the opportunity to ask the inspector something. In a calmer voice she said, “I was wondering if you’d got any further with your murder case, the one involving Deborah Paignton.”

  She narrowed her eyes as she heard something that sounded suspiciously like a chuckle. She shook her head, the inspector didn’t chuckle.

  DI Clarke said, “We had a call from Barney Samson, I believe you had a chat with him on a park bench recently. He told us about Seth’s made-up brother. We’d already been round to the address given by Seth’s wife, we soon realised it was a false lead. We’re making further enquiries into Seth’s whereabouts. Was there anything you wanted to tell me about the case?”

  The image of Deborah’s husband came into her mind. “Yes! There was a shifty-looking man hanging around the school, he’s small and bald. I saw him with a pair of binoculars on Saturday. He …”

  DI Clarke stopped her. “He’s Melvin Paignton, the husband of the late Mrs Paignton. I don’t know if I’d describe him as shifty-looking but we have spoken to him. He was undertaking security surveillance at the school. He does it quite often.”

  “Hmm. And you believe him?”

  “Why wouldn’t I? Shifty-looking or not, he’s dealing with the death of his wife. I do hope you haven’t been pestering the poor man. I have to go now.”

  The call abruptly ended. Julia looked at her phone and said, “I never pester anyone.” She then phoned her dad and told him about Cain.

  Within thirty minutes they were walking along the corridor that led to Cain’s ward. DI Clarke met them at the door.

  “Afternoon,” Dad said with a cheery smile.

  “Good afternoon, Mr Rosenthorpe, Ms Blake.”

  Julia said, “Have you spoken to Cain again? About his attack?”

  DI Clarke nodded. “He was reluctant to tell me at first, he’s got a peculiar sense of loyalty when it comes to his family. He didn’t give me the full details but I’ve got enough information to pay his family a visit. I’m on my way to see them now.”

  “Be careful on that Clover Estate,” Dad warned. “I went there this morning and nearly had my wheels pinched. I was driving at the time.”

  DI Clarke gave him a small smile. “Thank you for your concern. I will be taking backup with me, it’s standard procedure for visits to that area.” He looked at Julia with his piercing blue eyes. Julia froze like a rabbit caught in blue headlights. “Ms Blake, Mr Andrews has been beaten up rather badly. His appearance will shock you.”

  Julia blinked and looked away from his stare. “I can handle it.”

  The inspector nodded at them both and strode away.

  Dad took Julia’s hand and led her into Cain’s ward. As soon as Julia saw the battered-looking creature that was Cain, she burst into noisy tears.

  Dad put his arm around her shoulders and said, “Cain’s trying to speak.”

  Cain raised a bandaged hand, grimaced and said, “Julia, please be quiet. I need to tell you something urgently. It’s about Imogen.”

  Chapter 20

  Cain’s swollen eyes looked from Julia to Dad and back again. He beckoned Dad closer and whispered something in his ear.

  Julia wiped her tears away. Look at the state of him! If she didn’t know it was Cain she would never have recognised him. Both hands were bandaged, as was his head. His eyes were so swollen he could barely open them. His lips were cut and there were bruises all over his face. How could his own family do this to him?

  Dad nodded at Cain and then took Julia to one side. He said, “Cain’s too embarrassed to tell you what he’s found out. Apparently, Imogen Walters used to be a model in her earlier days.”

  Julia nodded. “Yes, she told me that yesterday. What about it?”

  “Did she tell you what kind of modelling she did?”

  Julia pressed her lips together and shook her head.

  Dad went on, “It’s certainly not modelling clothes for a catalogue. In fact, from what Cain told me, Imogen didn’t need any clothes at all.”

  Julia’s mouth made an O as she stared at Dad.

  “It wasn’t just photos,” Dad continued, “there were videos too. Cain’s brothers are big fans of Imogen’s work.”

  Julia found her voice. “I can’t believe it! Imogen! Is Cain sure?”

  Dad gave her a grim smile. “His kind-hearted brothers made him watch one of Imogen’s videos.”

  Julia looked over at Cain. The young man closed his sore-looking eyes as if trying to clear the images away.

  Julia said, “Do you think Imogen’s husband knows about her past?”

  “I’ve no idea,” Dad said.

  Julia tapped her chin. “Perhaps Imogen is trying to keep that a secret from him.” She held up a finger. “Perhaps Deborah, or her shif
ty-looking husband found out about Imogen’s past and tried to blackmail her. That would explain why she always looked frightened around Deborah, and why she felt the need to do so much free work for the school.”

  Dad nodded. “That’s an interesting theory.”

  Julia prodded her finger towards Dad. “That could explain why Melvin Paignton was at Imogen’s house yesterday. Maybe he’s still blackmailing her!” She tutted. “The shifty-looking scumbag.” She jabbed her finger harder. “Oh! Deborah could have been blackmailing Imogen and then Melvin found out about it. Perhaps he killed Deborah so that he could be the only one receiving any blackmail money from Imogen.”

  Dad moved her finger away from his chest. “This is all speculation, and your overactive imagination. Cain hasn’t told DI Clarke any of this new information about Imogen and her modelling, perhaps you should.”

  Julia gave him a firm nod. “I will do. I want to know how his visit to Cain’s brothers goes. I hope he locks them up and throws away the key!”

  Dad smiled. “I doubt that the police throw away their keys.” He looked towards Cain who was now staring at the ceiling. “What are we going to do about our young friend? I can stay with him but you’ve got work to do.”

  Julia walked over to Cain and said, “Cain, thanks for finding out Imogen’s secret.” She waved a hand over his body. “But I wish it hadn’t been at this price. I’m so sorry. If it wasn’t for me and my nosiness you never would have felt the need to go with Gary.”

  In a hoarse voice Cain said, “It’s not your fault. I had to face my brothers at some point. Please, Julia, find out who killed Deborah.” He swallowed painfully and turned his head slightly towards Dad. “Ray, will you look after Buster please?”

  “Of course I will. Once I’ve left here I’ll pick him up and take him to my house. And I’ll get the spare room ready for you. Once the doctors deem you fit to leave, me and Kathleen are going to look after you until you’ve completely recovered.”

  Cain’s chin wobbled and he blinked.

  Julia said, “Cain, I have to go now. I’ll come back and visit you later. Okay?”

  Cain nodded and attempted a smile.

  Julia hesitated. “Before I go, I need to tell you that there was an accident with those pieces of cake that Imogen gave you, the ones that you left in my car.”

  Dad let out a laugh. “Don’t tell me, you accidentally ate them?”

  Julia’s cheeks heated up. “I was stressed out from waiting to hear about Cain. Anyway, you wouldn’t have been able to eat them now. So I was actually doing you a favour.” She nodded as if convincing herself.

  Dad laughed again. “You’d better go before you do Cain any more favours. I’ll phone you later. Off you go, earn some money.”

  Julia kissed her Dad on the cheek and gave Cain a goodbye wave. She felt lighter as she walked to the car park, glad that Cain was alive and being looked after. But the guilt soon took over and her steps felt heavier. No matter what Cain said, it was her fault that he was in that beaten-up state.

  With a renewed sense of determination, Julia got into her car. She would find out who killed Deborah Paignton, and she would do it before Cain got out of hospital.

  She drove out of the car park and towards the main exit. She waited for the traffic lights to change. A car drove in that Julia recognised. She waved a hand in greeting but Lesley didn’t see her.

  As Julia drove away she thought Lesley must be on her way to see Cain. That was kind of her.

  Chapter 21

  Dad turned up at Julia’s house the following morning.

  “I wasn’t expecting to see you today, Mum usually has a long list of jobs for you to do on a Saturday,” Julia said as she filled the kettle up.

  Dad sat at the kitchen table. “I’m up to date with my chores. I thought I’d come and see you in person and save you the trouble of phoning me every hour to see how Cain’s doing.”

  Julia pulled come cups out of a cupboard. “I don’t think I’ve phoned you every hour, maybe every couple of hours. Is he still alright?”

  “Same as last night when I spoke to you. I called in on him this morning, his bruises have come up even more. I didn’t know there were so many different shades of purple. His spirits are higher. I think he likes the nurses fussing around him. Poor lad, he’s not had much fuss made over him in the past.”

  Julia sat down at the table. “Did Lesley Humphries visit him? I saw her driving into the hospital car park when I was leaving yesterday.”

  Dad thought for a moment. “I never saw her. I only left Cain’s side for a few minutes to get a cuppa. He never said anything about Lesley visiting.”

  Julia frowned. “I wonder why she was at the hospital then.”

  “I’ll ask your mum later, she’ll know why.” He looked towards the kettle that had just boiled. “The tea won’t make itself, you know.”

  Julia tutted and stood up.

  Dad rubbed his round tummy. “And that bacon sandwich you’re about to offer me won’t cook itself.”

  Julia tutted again but then smiled. She didn’t mind, Dad did more than enough for her.

  Julia was planning on having yoghurt and fruit for breakfast but thought it was more polite to have the same as Dad.

  As they ate their sandwiches they talked about Cain.

  Julia said, “I tried to speak to DI Clarke yesterday. I left several messages but he never got back to me. I was going to tell him about Imogen, but I also wanted to know how he got on with Cain’s brothers. Did he come back to the hospital and speak to Cain later?”

  “Not that I know of. I wish I could get my hands on the brutes that hurt Cain.”

  Julia smiled. She couldn’t imagine Dad being physical with anyone, he was too kind-hearted. He couldn’t even bear to have fly spray in the house, he’d rather spend hours coaxing a fly out of a window than hurt it.

  Dad finished his sandwich and took a big gulp of tea. “That was grand. What are your plans for today?”

  “Just the usual, catching up with paperwork, checking my diary for next week. I’ll go and see Cain this afternoon. Why do you ask?”

  Dad smiled and said, “Do you want to go fishing with me?”

  “Nope.”

  Dad’s smile grew. “Don’t let that one incident with those maggots put you off. They were just exploring.”

  Julia shivered. “I can still remember the feel of them in my hair. I’m never going fishing with you again.”

  Dad looked casually away. “That’s a shame. Some of my fishing buddies might know where Seth Maddocks is. Didn’t Barney say that Seth was off fishing somewhere?” He stood up and picked a crumb off his jumper. “But if you don’t want to go, then that’s fine.”

  “I’ll get my coat.” Julia stood up. “But I’m not going anywhere near any maggots.” She started to turn away. “Dad, the washing-up won’t do itself.”

  Ten minutes later they were driving away from Julia’s house. Julia had done a quick check of Dad’s car to make sure there weren’t any scheming maggots waiting to leap out at her.

  As they drove along Julia said, “Where’s your fishing gear? I didn’t see anything in the boot.”

  Dad kept his gaze fixed on the road. “Oh, didn’t I explain? When I asked you to go fishing I meant fishing for information, not fish.” He chuckled to himself.

  Julia pressed her lips together and tried not to smile. She didn’t want to give Dad the impression that he was funny otherwise he would unleash joke after joke upon her.

  Dad sang along to the radio as they drove. Julia settled back in the seat. It wasn’t often that someone else drove her anywhere, it made a nice change.

  After thirty minutes they pulled into a car park at the side of a small lake. Dad told Julia to stay in the car whilst he spoke to his friends.

  “Why can’t I come with you?” Julia asked.

  “Because you ask too many questions. And you’re too loud, you’ll scare the fish away. I won’t be too long.”

&n
bsp; Dad sauntered over to the nearest man who was fishing. Dad nodded to the man and they both gazed out on to the lake.

  “Get on with it,” Julia mumbled from the car.

  It was a few more minutes before Dad spoke to the man. Their conversation was brief. Dad nodded and moved along to the next man who was fishing. They nodded at each other and stared at the lake.

  Julia felt like screaming. This fishing expedition of Dad’s could take hours. Julia took her phone out and caught up with her business emails. She kept glancing back at Dad who was moving further and further around the lake.

  It was over an hour before he returned to the car. Julia kept any sarcastic comments to herself and asked how he’d got on.

  Dad settled himself into the driver’s seat. “I wish I’d brought my rods, there’s a new supply of carp in this lake. I might come back tomorrow. I’ll have to get my fishing licence sorted out though, I really should get an annual one.”

  Julia clenched her fists and said as calmly as she could, “Yes, that seems a good idea.”

  Dad looked at her, a twinkle in his eyes. “Don’t you want to know what I found out about Seth?”

  “Of course I do!”

  Dad waggled his eyebrows dramatically. “I know where he is. He’s rented a fishing cabin not far from here. Do you want to call on him?”

  “Of course I do!” Julia repeated.

  “Thought you might. There’s a café on the way. That bacon sandwich is already a distant memory. Julia,” Dad paused and studied her for a moment. “What exactly are you going to say to Seth?”

  Julia’s shoulders dropped. “I’ve no idea.”

  Chapter 22

  They stopped at a café twenty minutes later. Julia had been thinking about what she was going to say to Seth on the drive there. Another thought played on her mind. Should she tell DI Clarke where Seth was? She would do. After she had spoken to Seth.

  Dad finished the call he was on and looked at Julia across the café table. “Your mum doesn’t know why Lesley was at the hospital yesterday. But she is concerned about Lesley’s health since that poisoning incident last week.”