Witch Is Why Time Stood Still (A Witch P.I. Mystery Book 13) (12 page)

“I didn’t move in by myself. I moved in here with my husband three years ago, but shortly afterwards, he was killed.”

“Oh dear, I’m so sorry to hear that.”

“It was a road traffic accident. He was riding a motorbike, and was hit by a combine harvester.”

“How terrible.”

“It was. The money from the insurance paid off the house, so I could afford to stay. But like I said, I do feel a bit vulnerable.”

“I suppose you must.”

“It must be nice to have a fella like yours. He’s very handsome, isn’t he? I hope you don’t mind me saying that.”

“No, of course not.”

“What does he do?”

“He’s a policeman.”

“Even better. I do love a man in a uniform, don’t you?”

“Yeah, but Jack doesn’t actually wear a uniform; he’s a detective.”

“How very exciting. You’re so lucky.”

“I guess so. What do you do, Megan?”

“I’m a model.”

How very surprising.

“I mainly do catalogues, and the occasional catwalk show.”

“That must be interesting?” Yawn.

“Not really. I’ve done it for a long time. I’m looking for something else, but I’m not really sure what. I enjoy gardening, so I was thinking maybe I could start my own business?”

“My brother-in-law has a landscaping business.”

“Really? Maybe I should speak to him. Do you think he’d talk to me?”

“I’m sure Peter would be
more
than happy to talk to you.” Kathy probably wouldn’t be thrilled about it though.

Just then I heard a car pull up on my drive.

“What do
you
do, Jill?” Megan asked before I could make my excuses.

“Actually, I’m a private investigator.”

“How very exciting!”

“Jill? Jill?” I heard Jack calling. He’d obviously gone into the house, and found I wasn’t there. Moments later, he appeared at the back door.

“Hiya, Jack!” Megan cooed.

Huh?

“Oh, hi, Megan. How are you?” His eyes were on stalks.

“I’m great, thanks.”

“Okay.” I stepped in. “We’d better get inside. We’ve got guests coming over for dinner tonight, haven’t we, Jack?”

“Have we?”

I kicked his shin.

“Oh yeah, dinner. Of course.”

“Nice to meet you, Megan,” I said over my shoulder, as I dragged Jack into the house.

“What’s up?” he said, when I pinned him with my death-glare.

“How come you never mentioned Megan before?”

“Didn’t I? I thought I had. I met her when I first came to view the house. That day when you couldn’t make it.”

“No wonder you were so keen to take this house.”

“Don’t be ridiculous! I didn’t think it was important. She seems nice, don’t you think?”

“Too nice.” Much too nice.

Chapter 15

Jack and I barely spoke over dinner. He continued to insist that he hadn’t mentioned Megan Lovemore to me because he didn’t think it was important. I still wasn’t convinced.

But maybe I was overreacting. Jack and I had got on really well over the last six months while we’d been living together. It had actually been the best six months of my life. Of course, we’d had arguments; which couple didn’t? But as soon as he’d admitted he was wrong, everything was okay again.

What? I’m only kidding.

We were both inclined to fly off the handle occasionally. Jack could be hot-tempered, and surprisingly, some people say I can be too. But our relationship was stronger than it had ever been. So why was I worried about a single, attractive, young woman living next door? It was ridiculous. I was being stupid.

We washed the dishes together, each waiting for the other to speak first. A knock at the door eventually broke the silence.

“I suppose I’d better get that?” he said.

I shrugged, but followed him anyway. If it was Megan Lovemore, I’d have something to say about it. It turned out to be a man wearing a trilby.

“I hope you don’t mind me calling on you unannounced. My name is Norman Hosey. I live two streets away.”

“Hello, Mr Hosey,” Jack said. “Is there something I can help you with?”

“I think you’ll find that
I’m
the one who can help
you
. Would it be possible for me to come in for just a couple of minutes?”

Jack glanced at me. I shrugged.

“Yes, I suppose so.”

“Jolly good. I won’t take up much of your time.”

We went through to the living room. Jack and I sat on the sofa together. Mr Hosey sat opposite us.

“I’ll get straight to the point. I’m head of the Neighbourhood Watch for Smallwash. I’ve been in the post now for six years, eight months, two weeks, and three days. During that period, I’m pleased to report that crime levels have fallen consistently. In fact, if you like, I have a graph I can show you.”

“No, that’s okay.” I jumped in. “I’m sure we can take your word for it.”

“A not insignificant achievement, I’m sure you’ll both agree.”

“Very impressive,” I said.

Jack nodded. I could tell he wanted to laugh, and if he did, that would set me off. We’d both end up in hysterics.

“I’m sure you’ll both agree that neighbourhood watch is the single most important factor in reducing crime.”

“Actually,” Jack said. “I’m a police officer, and I have to say that I think the police play a big part in that too. And Jill is a private investigator.”

Norman Hosey looked a little taken aback. “That’s very interesting. Of course, the police play their part. But still, neighbourhood watch does seem to be the single most important factor. As for private investigators, well I’m sure it’s an
interesting
job.”

Talk about backhanded compliments.

“We’re always on the lookout for new members who can play an active part in neighbourhood watch. I wondered if I could sign you two up?”

I jumped in again before Jack could agree to something that I’d regret later. “Actually, Mr Hosey, the problem is we’ve only just moved in, and things are still a bit chaotic at the moment. We’ve got a lot to do, and we both have very demanding jobs.”

“I can understand that a policeman would be busy, but a female private detective?”

Condescending or what?

“I have lots of cases. Very long days, and late nights. I’m sorry, but we won’t be able to help at the moment. Maybe at some future date?”

“In that case, I’ll touch base with you from time to time to see if things have improved, workload-wise.”

“That sounds like a good idea.”

I thought we’d done, and I was just about to stand up when he continued.

“Jack, tell me. Are you interested in trains?”

“I take one to London, occasionally.”

“What about model trains?”

“No, not really.”

“How disappointing. It’s something of a hobby of mine.”

Why didn’t that surprise me?

“I have a layout in the loft. In fact, it’s probably the biggest in Smallwash, although I do say so myself. I’m always happy to show people if it’s something they’re interested in. No children though, I’m afraid. They tend to touch.”

“Right, thank you. Maybe when we’re settled.”

Jack was being far too polite and diplomatic. I would have told him I’d rather eat glass than look at his toy trains.

He still hadn’t done. “I also like to visit railway stations, and I have quite a collection of photographs and memorabilia from stations all over the country. You’re welcome to see those at the same time.”

Oh goody, goody. Maybe I should suggest he talk to Mr Ivers in the toll booth. I had a sneaking suspicion that those two would get on like a house on fire.

“Well, I won’t keep you any longer.” He stood up. “I’ll keep in touch, and maybe when your circumstances change, we can get you involved in neighbourhood watch. But if at any time you would like to see my train set or memorabilia, please do give me a call on this number.” He handed us both a business card which had printed on it:

‘Norman Hosey - Head of Smallwash Neighbourhood Watch’.

“I’ll be only too happy to arrange for you to come over.”

We saw Mr Hosey to the door. As soon as he’d gone, we looked at one another and burst out laughing. When we eventually managed to compose ourselves, we kissed.

“It could be worse,” I conceded. “I think I’d rather have Megan as a next door neighbour than Mr Hosey.”

***

It was Lacey Ball who answered the door when I called at her house. The woman looked like a bag of rags, and had obviously got dressed in the dark again. She offered me tea or coffee, but I declined because I’d dropped into Coffee Triangle en route. It was tambourine day, so the noise levels had been bearable.

We’d no sooner taken a seat in the living room than a man wearing oversized jogging bottoms came charging into the room.

“What’s she doing here?” He pointed at me.

“I’ve already told you, Joe. Jill is a private investigator. I’ve asked her to help me with that phone call.”

“You mean the one you imagined? It’s all nonsense, Lacey.” He turned to me. “You’re wasting your time here, lady. My wife is delusional; there was no phone call. Her sister died in a car crash three years ago. I’d like you to leave.”

“Mr Ball, your wife has asked me to help, and the least I can do is hear her out.”

“I said get out!”

“No!” Lacey screamed at her husband. “
You
get out of here, Joe. Leave us alone.”

The tension between the two of them was palpable. He huffed and puffed a little, but then left the room, slamming the door closed behind him.

“That’s what I’m up against,” she said. “It’s not just the police who don’t believe me. Even my husband doesn’t.”

“Did the phone call come through on your mobile?”

“No, it was on the landline.”

“Can’t the police trace it?”

“They probably could, but they’re not taking it seriously. As far as they’re concerned, my sister is dead.”

“Can you tell me exactly what happened three years ago?”

“No one really knows. Mandy was driving home from a night out when the car veered off the road. It hit a tree, and exploded. They checked the car over thoroughly, but couldn’t find any mechanical faults.”

“Is it possible it could have been suicide?”

“I don’t believe it was suicide because Mandy was perfectly happy. If she’d had any problems, she would have told me; we were very close. I’ve always thought she must have fallen asleep at the wheel; it’s the only thing that makes any sense.”

“If you did get the phone call, and I have no reason to doubt your word, that means she wasn’t killed in the accident, so it must have been someone else in the car.”

“I don’t know what to think. I want answers, but the police won’t do anything. Is it hopeless, or is there anything you can do?”

“Honestly, I don’t know. I’m not going to make any rash promises.”

“I understand that, but at least if you’re looking into it, it gives me some hope. I know everyone thinks I’m crazy, but I know what I heard. It was Mandy on the phone.”

As I made my way out, Joe Ball intercepted me. “I want you to drop this!”

“I’m working for your wife. Until she tells me to stop, I intend to carry on doing just that.”

He wasn’t impressed, but he didn’t attempt to stop me when I pushed past him.

***

Eddie Wonder was a few metres ahead of me. Just as I’d expected, he was headed for the launderette. I waited behind a pillar. Five minutes later he came back out, and as he passed by, I stepped out in front of him.

“Jill?”

“Hello, Eddie. You seem to do a lot of laundry.”

“Err—Yeah. I have to do all the BoundBall outfits.”

“Really? You didn’t go in there to place a bet then?”

“I don’t know what you mean.” I could see the fear in his eyes.

“I think you do. You and I both know that the launderette is just a front for an illegal betting operation. Is that where you’ve been placing bets on the Eagles to lose?”

“Are you crazy? Why would I bet against my own team?”

“Because from what I hear, you’re in an awful lot of debt. You even lost the money that you and Amelia had put aside for the wedding, didn’t you? The next bet you placed had to come through for you, didn’t it? And the only way you could be certain of winning was to cripple your own team, and then bet against them.”

“You’re wrong. I would never do anything like that.”

“How did you get the keys for the lockboxes? From the changing rooms I assume? It can’t have been difficult to make an impression, and then get them cut.”

“This is nonsense. You’re just making it up.”

“I don’t need to make it up, Eddie. I’ve got a witness.”

“What do you mean? Who?”

“The driver who delivered the blood. He identified you from a photograph.”

Eddie slumped back against the wall.

“What have I done?”

“How much debt are you in, Eddie?”

“Too much. It was my own stupid fault. I should have cut my losses, but I just kept doubling up and doubling up. If I don’t get the money soon, I’ll be bankrupt and thrown out of house and home. I didn’t know what else to do.”

“So, to save your skin, you decided to throw the game, and to poison two of your own friends.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Sorry doesn’t really cut it though, does it?”

***

Maxine Jewell wasn’t thrilled to hear from me—when was she ever? But once she realised I’d caught the poisoner, her attitude changed. A little.

Eddie was still feeling very sorry for himself as he was being led away.

There was someone else I needed to tell.

“Alan? I thought I should let you know the poisoner has just been arrested.”

“Really? Was it Teddy?”

“No. I’m sorry to tell you it was Eddie Wonder.”

“Eddie? It can’t have been.”

“I’m afraid it was. You’ll hear all the details in the fullness of time, no doubt, but the Cliff Notes version is that he was in debt big time. He needed the Eagles to lose the big match to clear his debts.”

“I can’t believe he would poison his own team mates. His friends.”

“Desperate men do desperate things sometimes. Anyway, it looks like you’re going to be another man short for the game. And you’ll have to appoint a new team captain.”

“We’re really going to struggle now. Anyway, thanks for all your help, Jill. I really do appreciate it.”