Death Takes A Trip (Julia Blake Cozy Mystery Book 5) (12 page)

Chapter 20

Julia told Cain about her chat with DI Clarke the
following day. At the mention of the cat
’
s collar Cain suddenly yelled out,
“
Cat! We haven
’
t found Cat
yet!
”

“
Oh, heck. I
’
d forgotten about her. We
’
ll have another look for her when we
’
ve finished this job.
”

When they arrived at Douglas
’
house later
there was a different policeman standing at the front door. Julia walked up to
him and tapped the side of her nose.
“
You don
’
t have to tell
me why you
’
re here. New
evidence has come to light, hasn
’
t it?
”

The policeman gave her a hard stare which made her
wither slightly. In a less confident voice she said,
“
Have you seen a ginger cat? It belonged to Douglas Pedley. She
’
s been missing for days.
”

The policeman shook his head and indicated for her to
go away. Julia wasn
’
t going to be
put off.
“
We
’
ll have a quick look for her in the garden and woods. We won
’
t disturb anything.
”

The policeman shrugged and looked away.

 
Julia and
Cain went down the garden path and out of the gate.
“
Did you see Cat in the garden?
”
Julia asked.

“
No, did you?
”

Julia looked back at Douglas
’
house.
“
I wish we could look inside the house. We might spot something that
’
s out of place.
”

Cain looked back too.
“
It
’
s unusual that
the police are still here.
”

“
They must be
looking for evidence to link Mildred to the crime scene.
”

“
Like a bit of
moustache,
”
Cain suggested.

Julia tutted.
“
You
’
re obsessed
with Mildred
’
s moustache.
We ladies sometimes need extra help in the hair removal department.
”
She did a
double take when she saw how Cain was looking at her.
“
Stop looking at my upper lip! Come on, we
’
ve got a cat to find.
”

They crossed the field and entered the woods. They
looked where they
’
d looked
before but there was no sign of Cat. Julia hoped they wouldn
’
t find her dead body anywhere.

Cain suddenly grabbed her arm and said,
“
I can hear voices. Listen! It sounds like two men talking.
”
He hunkered
down behind a spiky bush. Julia automatically followed him. She strained her
ears to catch the voices.

Cain said,
“
One of them sounds like that man we heard the other day. It sounds like
Kirk Adams, I can hear the sneer in his tone.
”

Julia cocked her head. She couldn
’
t make out the voices very well. Cain must have ears like a bat. She
whispered,
“
What are they
saying?
”

“
I can
’
t quite hear properly. Cover me, I
’
m going in for a closer look.
”
Cain flattened
himself on the ground and began to inch forward. Julia again did the same. She
hissed,
“
How am I
supposed to cover you? I haven
’
t got a gun. Oh! This is silly. I
’
m getting up. We
’
ve got a valid reason for being in these woods, I
’
m not hiding from anyone.
”

She stood up and took a few seconds to stare at the
scene in front of her. She hunkered back down and hissed,
“
It
’
s not two men
talking, one of them is Mildred! She
’
s talking to Kirk Adams! They
’
re shaking hands!
”

Cain rubbed his ear that was closest to Julia and
said,
“
What do you
think they
’
re doing? Are
they still talking?
”

Julia stood up and froze. In a normal voice she said,
“
Hello. I believe we met at the charity shop the other day. Ah, I see you
’
ve found Cat, she looks comfy in your arms. We
’
ve been looking for her.
”
Julia smiled in a friendly way. Cain rose and copied
Julia
’
s smile.

Mildred Hepplethwaite did not return their smiles. She
glowered at them as she twiddled with one of Cat
’
s ears. Cat seemed to be enjoying it, or she might have been too scared
to protest.

Mildred took a step towards them and said,
“
What the hell are you doing on my property? And what were you doing on
the ground?
”

“
Looking for
Cat,
”
Julia explained.
“
We thought she might have got stuck in a bush. She got stuck the other
day.
”

“
Yes, I know.
You two always seem to be hanging about in these woods. You
’
re trespassing now so clear off.
”

Cain made to turn away. Julia didn
’
t move.
“
You
’
ve seen us in these woods before looking for Cat?
”

Mildred realised her mistake.
“
No, I didn
’
t say that.
”

Julia pointed at her.
“
It was you! You threw the rock through Douglas
’
window! You
saw me and Cain that day and followed us through these woods to Douglas
’
house. Why did
you throw the rock through the window? Was it when you realised that Nina was
inside?
”

“
Don
’
t mention that gold-digger
’
s name to me!
”
Mildred spat.
“
So what if I threw that rock! I saw the way that Douglas looked at Nina
as she was taken out on that stretcher. I was glad she
’
d fallen down the stairs. She should have broken her neck! But no, she
had to survive didn
’
t she? And
Douglas had to look at her in that soppy way of his! He was under her spell.
”

Julia thought back to what Nina had said about someone
following Douglas and listening to his conversations. She took a chance.
“
You
’
ve been
following Douglas, haven
’
t you?
”

Mildred shrugged.
“
So what if I have? I was trying to protect him. I knew that Nina
Sapphire was up to no good the minute I saw her. I let her work at the charity
shop so that I could keep an eye on her. What does she do to repay my kindness?
Throws herself at Douglas, the tramp!
”

Cain moved closer to Julia and whispered,
“
She
’
s scaring me,
look at her eyes. She
’
s going to kill us and bury us in an unmarked grave!
”

Mildred hadn
’
t finished.
“
I don
’
t trust that scheming cow. Where has she come from? Who is she to act
like the Queen of Sheba?
”

“
Who?
”
Cain asked.

Mildred ignored him.
“
I had to warn Douglas, get him to see sense.
”

“
Is that why
you came to see him on Tuesday night, the night that he died?
”

Mildred
’
s teeth pulled back in a snarl.
“
What
’
s that got to
do with you?
”

Julia was not going to be intimidated. She took a step
forward and said,
“
It
’
s everything to do with me. Douglas was my friend. Someone murdered him
and I
’
m going to
find out who did it.
”

“
Well, it wasn
’
t me!
”
Mildred thundered.
“
Stop harassing me before I report you to the police. And get off my
land!
”

Julia put her arms out.
“
Give me Cat.
”

Mildred pulled the cat closer.
“
Get lost. Cat is mine. Douglas always said I could have her if anything
happened to him.
”

Julia said,
“
I
’
m only going
because I want to. You can shout all you like but you don
’
t scare me. I think I might tell the police about the rock throwing
incident. And what were you talking to Kirk Adams about?
”

Mildred
’
s face seemed to crumple. She placed Cat on the floor and spread her
arms out. In a broken voice she said,
“
I was telling Kirk that I would never sell Douglas
’
house and
land. It
’
s all I
’
ve got left of him now. You go ahead and tell the police about the
window, I don
’
t care any
more. My life is empty without Douglas.
”

Julia wasn
’
t sure if Mildred was putting on an act. She said,
“
What will you do with this land?
”

Mildred attempted a smile.
“
I
’
m going to
build a huge cat sanctuary. Imagine the freedom the cats will have. It
’
s going to be wonderful. Douglas would have loved it.
”

Julia wasn
’
t sure about the last comment.
“
We
’
re sorry for
troubling you. Goodbye.
”

Cain gave Mildred a wave and then followed Julia
through the woods and back to Douglas
’
garden. He
said,
“
Do you believe
her story?
”

Julia shook her head.
“
I don
’
t believe what
she said about Kirk Adams. You don
’
t shake hands if you
’
ve just told someone that you
’
re not going to sell them something. You usually shake hands to seal a
business deal. Mildred is definitely up to something. And she
’
s got a really bad temper, hasn
’
t she?
”

Chapter 21

There was an email waiting for Julia when she got home
later. It was from Delilah, the sales agent at the show home:
‘
Hello Ms Blake! I
’
m delighted to inform you that our woodland development will be going
ahead! I know you expressed interest in it and I
’
m sure you
’
ll be excited
as us about the project! Please feel free to call into our Windsor show house
to look at the plans! Hope to see you soon!
’

Julia wondered if Delilah ever finished a sentence
without an exclamation mark.

So, the development on Douglas
’
land was going
ahead. Which only meant one thing - Mildred had agreed to sell the land to
Adams Construction. That must have been what the handshake was about. She shook
her head. Mildred had no intention of letting cats run free on that land.

Julia thought about the matter. Had Mildred known that
she was the sole beneficiary of Douglas
’
will?
Probably. Had Kirk Adams found out and approached her direct? That was a
possibility. Jealousy and greed were strong motives for killing a person. And
Mildred was well built, she wouldn
’
t have any problems shoving Douglas down the stairs.

Julia picked the phone up and contacted DI Clarke. He
answered on the second ring. For once, he didn
’
t dismiss her opinion. When she
’
d finished, the inspector said,
“
I
’
m glad you
’
ve phoned, I was going to phone you actually.
”

“
What about?
”

“
Some new
information has come to light and I need to inform Nina Sapphire of it.
”

“
What
information?
”

“
I can
’
t reveal that to you now, I have to tell Ms Sapphire first. But I
’
d like you to be there when I tell her, the news may upset her, or stun
her. Either way, she could do with your support. You seem to be
 
close.
”

Julia smiled.
“
Do you want me there because you
’
re scared of Doris?
”

There was a pause. Then the inspector said,
“
I
’
m a
professional policeman, I
’
ve met many hardened criminals. I
’
m not scared of an elderly lady who shouts too much. Will you meet me at
one p.m. tomorrow at Doris
’
house? I
’
d appreciate it.
”

Julia said she would. She had a free two hour slot at
that time so she didn
’
t have to rearrange any client visits.

As soon as her call ended she logged onto the Internet
and visited the Adams Construction site. Blimey, they hadn
’
t wasted any time. There was an artist
’
s impression of what the new development would look like. The new
detached houses looked impressive, and expensive. The gardens seemed to be of a
decent size too. She knew that according to Kirk Adams, Douglas had agreed to
sell his land, but is this what Douglas would have wanted? She sighed. She wasn
’
t sure anymore.

This investigation had been going on for too long.
Julia hoped that whatever information DI Clarke had would move the
investigation closer to a conclusion.

Julia didn
’
t sleep well again that night but put on a bright smile when she picked
Cain up the following morning. As they went to various houses they talked about
what the information could be that DI Clarke was going to impart to Nina.

Doris opened the door the moment they walked up her
path at one p.m. She threw her hands up.
“
Thank goodness you two are here! That inspector chap has been here for
fifteen minutes, standing in the corner of my room like a useless statue. He
won
’
t sit down,
won
’
t take a cup
of tea, he
’
s just
standing there silently! He said he won
’
t say a word until you got here.
”

DI Clarke acknowledged Julia and Cain with a curt nod
as they walked into Doris
’
living room. Julia sat next to Nina on the sofa and
gave her an inquisitive glance. Nina shook her head, it appeared she had no
idea why DI Clarke was here.

Doris went up to the inspector and said,
“
Get on with it then!
”

DI Clarke looked over Doris
’
head and
straight at Nina. He said,
“
I
’
m sorry for
making you wait. I thought Ms Blake could offer you some support. Also, I
thought she might want to hear this information direct from me seeing how she
’
s conducting her own enquiries.
”

Doris said,
“
I
’
m glad she is
too! She
’
s kept us more
informed than you have. Well? What
’
s this all about?
”

DI Clarke looked down at Doris.
“
I will tell you if you stop interrupting.
”

Doris folded her arms and glared at him.

DI Clarke continued.
“
We made a thorough search of Mr Pedley
’
s house and we came across a new will. It had been drawn up the day
before he died. It
’
s an official
will, I
’
ve confirmed
this with the solicitor involved.
”

Everyone seemed to hold their breath as they waited
for him to continue.

He said,
“
Mr Pedley has left everything to you, Ms Sapphire.
”

Nina
’
s hands flew to her chest, the colour drained from her face.
“
No! That can
’
t be! Why
would he do that?
”

“
Apparently, he
told the solicitor that he was going to marry you as soon as possible and he
wanted all the legal side to be settled before you got married. Ms Sapphire,
did you know about this second will?
”

Tears ran down Nina
’
s face. Her hand shook as she took a tissue from Julia.
“
No, I didn
’
t. I can
’
t believe he
’
d do something
like that. I don
’
t want his
property. I don
’
t want his
land. Everything should go to Mildred, that
’
s what Douglas
’
first wife wanted.
”

Julia said,
“
But things changed for Douglas, you came into his life. I know he
considered you to be more important than cats.
”

Nina shook her head vehemently.
“
No! I won
’
t accept it! I
’
m not having his property. Can the will be cancelled? Can I speak to the
solicitor?
”

The inspector frowned.
“
I think you
’
d have to
accept Mr Pedley
’
s property
first and then donate it. It
’
ll take a while though.
”

Julia studied the inspector.
“
There
’
s something
you
’
re not telling
us. Come on, we can take it.
”

DI Clarke
’
s expression softened.
“
I
’
m sorry to say
this but if something happens to you, then the property reverts back to the
original beneficiary.
”

Doris unfolded her arms and pointed at DI Clarke.
“
So, what you
’
re trying to
say is that Nina
’
s life is in
danger! Mad Mildred will be furious about the new will and will try to murder
Nina, just like she murdered Douglas!
”

DI Clarke looked uncomfortable.
“
I
’
m not saying
that at all. We are still making our own enquiries, we
’
re not ready to arrest anyone yet. I wanted Ms Sapphire to be aware of
the situation.
”

Nina spoke,
“
It
’
s okay,
Inspector, I know what you
’
re trying to say. Don
’
t worry, Doris, I
’
ll sort this out. I
’
ll speak to Mildred and tell her that I
’
m going to give her the money.
”

Doris shrieked,
“
But she doesn
’
t deserve it!
Miserable old cow. You made Douglas happy. He wanted you to have his property.
”

“
I can
’
t take it,
”
Nina said.
“
I just can
’
t take it. What would I do with all that land? I couldn
’
t live in his house. No, I have to do the right thing.
”

Doris pressed her lips together so hard that her mouth
disappeared. She stormed out of the room.

DI Clarke raised a finger and made a beckoning gesture
to Julia. She followed him outside. He said,
“
The solicitor has got an appointment with Mildred Hepplethwaite this
afternoon, he
’
s going to let
her know about the new will. From what you
’
ve told me about her temper, she
’
s going to be furious. I
’
m going to post some plain-clothes policemen on the streets around this
house.
”

“
You think that
Mildred might try to hurt Nina? Do you think Mildred killed Douglas?
”

The inspector sighed.
“
I really don
’
t know, but it
’
s looking that way.
”