Read Online Murder Actually by Stephanie McCarthy - Free Book Online Page A

with the unmistakable odor of tomcat and there was a thick layer of dust and grime over the furniture and paintings. I was surprised. I knew Nora and Jasper were wealthy and wondered why they didn’t have a cleaning service. I noticed a large stack of letters near the front door, all addressed to Ware Realty, as Nora led us into the front room.
    â€œI’m sorry about the mess. Please, sit down...”
    Nora motioned to a few hard-backed chairs but I disdained the offer and opted for the large overstuffed seat in the corner. I wanted to make sure I was comfortable. Julia had the same idea but the spot she wanted on the couch was swallowed up by Liddell, and the only other seat was a stiff ladder-back side chair that groaned irritably as she sat down.
    Officer Liddell settled his large bulk and took out his black notebook before turning to Nora. “Do you recognize the lady outside?”
    â€œYes,” Nora’s eyes filled with tears as she pulled out her ravaged tissue. “She was my husband’s assistant, Violet Ambler. She spent a lot of time here. She and Jasper were working on his latest novel. He said it was almost done.”
    â€œAs I mentioned last night, we’ve been looking for her,” Liddell said. “When did you last see her?”
    â€œI have no idea, a few days ago, maybe? Like I said, she was here quite a bit. She was my husband’s assistant and Jasper could be very… demanding.”
    Julia and I exchanged a look that was not wasted on Liddell. “Did you see her at all last night or this morning?”
    â€œNo, I’m sorry.”
    Liddell sniffed at his fingers suspiciously and then turned to regard Julia and me. “Did you know her?”
    â€œYes, she was at my book reading,” I said.
    â€œYou didn’t see her again after the book reading?”
    I shook my head. “Not until this morning when I found her in the bushes.”
    â€œWhat time did she leave the book reading?”
    â€œI don’t know. Maybe around eight? I really wasn’t paying attention.”
    â€œWas it before or after the lights went out?”
    â€œI think it was before.”
    Liddell grunted and turned to Julia. “What about you? Did you know her?”
    â€œI saw her at the book reading.”
    â€œDid you notice when she left?”
    â€œA little before eight. Jasper told her he had work for her to do back at his studio.”
    â€œMr. Ware told Ms. Ambler to go back to the studio after the book reading?”
    â€œYes.”
    Liddell sat back and eyed us grumpily. “What were you two doing at Black Birches this morning?”
    I coughed and looked at Julia. “We just wanted to offer Nora some moral support.”
    Nora smiled at us through her tears as Liddell glared. “Okay, girls,” he said finally, “you can go, but I’ll need you to come in later and sign statements.”
    â€œAnything to be of public service.” I stood up and pulled on Julia’s arm. She clearly wanted to stay and listen to Nora’s interrogation but I knew we were already pushing our luck with Liddell and kept a firm grip on her elbow.
    â€œDon’t leave town, ladies.” Liddell’s voice caught us as we were almost to the door. “Especially you, Elspeth: you’ve found two bodies in two days, a new record for All Hallows. You’re what we call a person of interest.”
    Julia turned and smiled sweetly. “Don’t worry; she never goes anywhere, Chief.”
    I steered her back outside into the front yard. The space was crowded with police cars and official looking people in uniform. I noticed Sergeant Wilkins by the fire engine and decided to turn the scene to my advantage.
    Sergeant Jack Wilkins had a little crush on me.
    He’d asked me out on numerous occasions but seemed to understand I was still recovering from my divorce. To complicate matters, Julia had a bit of a crush on Sergeant Jack.