Paying Back The Dead (A Millerfield Village Cozy Murder Mysteries Series 3)

by Carrie Marsh

  “Maybe I didn't put it in here,” she said to herself, pulling open the other drawers. Nothing. She checked the cupboards, the filing cabinet where she kept her tax-returns, her safe. The bookshelf. The coffee-pot with spare change in it. Nothing.

  “Laura..?” Howard asked gently. He was standing in the doorway, a frown creasing his brow.

  “Oh!” Laura jumped. “You startled me. I was just looking for something, and...” she covered her face, sinking down to sit on the mat. There was only one thing she could think of. Someone had broken into her house and stolen the note.

  “Laura! If you've lost something important, we can ask at the police-station...sweetheart, what is it?” He knelt down and put his arm around her, rocking with her as she sobbed.

  “Howard!” Laura said in a small and desperate voice. “I didn't want to tell you, but...”

  “What, dear?” he kissed her hair. “It can't be that terrible. Nothing's that bad. If you're seeing someone else or something, just tell me. I'll understand, really.”

  Laura laughed shakily. “Howard!” she chuckled, tears still flowing. “Why on earth would you think that?” she smiled up at him through her tears. “Of all the crazy things! If I'm not with you, I wouldn't want to be with anyone else!”

  Howard looked at her uncertainly. Then he smiled. It was the most beautiful smile Laura had seen from anyone – a tentative, gentle thing of fragile beauty. “Really?”

  “Really!” Laura was laughing, shoulders shaking as she laughed through her sobs. “Oh, Howard! You dear, crazy, silly man! How can you think anything else?” She embraced him.

  Howard looked at her, dark eyes wide. “Laura. You really mean it?”

  “Yes, I mean it! I love you, Howard Lucas! I've been in love with you for a year! How can you possibly not know that?”

  Howard exhaled. He was looking at her as if he had never seen anyone before – a mix of wonder and almost-fear. “Really?” he said again. He sounded amazed. “Laura! I...” he swallowed hard. “I love you, too!”

  Laura laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck. “You dear, daft man...” she kissed him on the lips, and it was a kiss not of tenderness, but one that spoke of hunger and desire and longing.

  When she moved her lips from his, he was staring at her. “Laura?” he said, his breath rasping in his throat. “You really...”

  “Yes.” Laura said firmly. “Yes, I really do. In fact, I think we should make love right this minute, before I go completely barmy. Or at least I would, but...” she trailed off.

  Howard was grinning and laughing and staring all at once. “But what?”

  “But I think we might be being stalked.”

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  LOSING TRACK

  LOSING TRACK

  Later, when Laura had told the full story, Howard sighed. They were lying together in bed, her head on his shoulder. He stroked her hair gently, his fingers tender where they moved in her tresses.

  “You should have told me about the note the policeman passed you.”

  “I would have,” she said gently. “I just didn't want the young man to lose his job.”

  “You should have told me anyway,” Howard insisted. “Laura,” he sighed, and shifted so he stared into her eyes. He looked worried. “It could have been Brandon Hugh who stole that note. I didn't even think of it, because I didn't know. He could be a murderer, in which case, he could murder you to cover his tracks. I don't like it.” He shook his head. “It's not safe for you here.”

  “Howard,” Laura said gently, pressing her shoulder against him so he lay down, “what difference does it make? You're here now. You know now. If he was planning to kill me, he'd either already have killed me, or you'd be here. I'm perfectly safe.”

  “You weren't before,” he pointed out. “Please,” he added, moving round to stare into her eyes again, “next time something like that happens – even if it's only the milkman putting a bottle on the inside windowsill – please, please tell me? I need to know. If something happened to you, I...” his voice trailed off and he held her.

  “Howard,” Laura said gently, and leaned in to kiss him. “You shouldn't care so much.”

  “I do,” Howard said simply. “I really, really do.” He kissed her hair.

  Laura sighed. She felt as if her whole body were afire, glowing in the aftermath of passion and his sweet words.

  At that moment Monty jumped up on the bed. He uncharacteristically settled himself beside Howard. He closed his eyes and seemed to fall asleep.

  Laura, knowing him, tuned in. He's not so bad, actually, Monty said. A bit difficult, I find, but he loves you. I like him.

  Laura thought her heart would burst. She was lying in the arms of the man she loved, and her best friend approved of him. She didn't think she could be happier.

  “If I died now, I would be smiling,” she said. Howard stiffened.

  “Don't even say it. Please,” he breathed into her hair. “I can't even imagine losing you.”

  Laura sighed and nestled closer against him. “I don't want to lose you, either. So I won't talk about it.”

  “Good.”

  They dozed, and woke an hour or so later. Monty jumped off the bed and went out and Laura and Howard lay together in the darkened cottage, listening to each other’s shallow breath.

  “So,” Howard said after a moment, “I think we should tell someone about your break-in. Right?”

  “I suppose,” Laura sighed. “But I don't want Private Stanton to be compromised.”

  “How about we tell him? He would be able to help us. And besides, if he finds out what happened, then he might have some ideas. He could swing the investigation to focus on the brother for a while. Let's tell him.” He sounded a mix of hopeful and desperate. It wrenched Laura's heart.

  “Good idea.”

  Laura leaned back on Howard's shoulder, her heart full of care. She felt happier than she had ever felt. She felt closer to Howard than she had ever felt. And she finally felt some hope about this investigation.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  HAVING A TEA

  HAVING A TEA

  “What a lovely surprise! So glad you could make it.” Laura stood in the doorway, as Judy welcomed her expansively. “And Dr. Lucas!” she beamed.

  “Good afternoon, Mrs. Hugh,” Howard said respectfully. “I am so, so sorry,” he added.

  Judy swallowed. “Thank you, Dr. Lucas. But it's okay,” she said bravely. “And I have just found a cousin here – so even horrible things have a bright side.” She beamed at Laura.

  Laura squeezed her hand. “Thank you, Judy. And thank you for making tea!” she added, breathing in the scent of cake and home baking.

  “Of course I did!” Judy said firmly. “It's not every day a doctor and a cousin come and search my house!” She laughed.

  Laura laughed too. “I don't know if many people would see that in a good light,” she said gently. “So I'm glad you do. Thank you.”

  “I wanted you to check! Thank you for agreeing,” Judy sighed, waving Howard to a place at the table. “I think we should start with the tea first, though – I can't expect you to turn my house on it's end while hungry.”

  Laura smiled. “We're not going to be that invasive, I hope.”

  “We just want to see what we can see,” Howard agreed. He thanked Judy for tea, as she poured cups full for everyone from a delicate china teapot.

  “And you need some cake to go with that,” Judy insisted. “Fresh out of the oven.” she indicated a chocolatey masterpiece. Laura felt her salivary glands start working. She had not had any breakfast that morning, and the cake smelled delicious.

  “Thank you, Judy,” she smiled, as a large slice was cut for her. “Your cakes are legendary.”

  “You're not bad yourself,” Judy pointed out. “I had some of yours at the bazaar, and I was impressed.”

  Laura was surprised to feel herself blushing. “Thank you.”

  She sampled some of the cake and close
d her eyes. It was heavenly – warm, cocoa-rich and sticky. She glanced at Howard, who had his eyes closed too, clearly savoring his cake.

  The three of them talked for a while, mostly about everyday things, carefully avoiding the mention of police or death in any way.

  “Is Kim still in town?” Laura asked politely.

  “She is!” Judy said, pouring tea. “She was here this morning. There's all this difficulty with the lawyer that needs sorting out...” her voice trailed off.

  “Difficulty?” Laura asked, heart pounding. She had a fairly-good idea of what Judy meant.

  “Yes!” Judy explained. “The man keeps stalling. I don't know why. Says he needs to hear back from a colleague about some matter that needs confirmation in the will...Kim doesn't like it. Nor do I.”

  “Did he say what?” Howard asked.

  “He was hedging!” Judy said, chuckling bitterly. “And I know why.”

  “You do?” Laura asked, interested. She laid her plate aside and leaned an elbow on the table. She wondered how Judy explained the man's behavior.

  “Yes! There can't be ‘something needing confirmation’. Not in his will!”

  “Why not?”

  “Well, I've seen it. I know there are only three people mentioned: Andrew, Kim and myself. No-one else. Not his brother, not his cousin or his uncle...no-one else. Just ourselves.”

  Laura stiffened. Judy sounded too confident about that. Confident and defiant. Could she have..? She shook herself. She refused to think it. She did not want to consider she was here eating cake baked by a murderer. It would be too surreal. It didn't make sense.

  “He's having you on, then?” Howard asked.

  “I think so!” Judy said angrily.

  “Why?” Laura asked gently.

  “You should ask him that!” Judy was offended, clearly. “How must I know why he's lying?”

  “I didn't mean to insult you, or suggest anything, Judy.” Laura was careful to be inoffensive. “I just wanted to know why.”

  “Could he be being threatened?” Howard asked innocently.

  Laura watched as Judy flushed red. “Why? Who would do that?”

  “I have no idea,” Howard replied guardedly. “I can't imagine any advantage to be gained. Do you?”

  “No!” Judy said, looking away as she poured tea. “I can't see any advantage for someone holding back on the will. There's only me and Kim and Andrew in it, after all. And it would help us to have it all settled by now.”

  “I'm sure,” Laura soothed.

  The three of them sat a while.

  At length, Howard raised questioning brows to Judy.

  “Would you like us to get started?”

  “Yes.”

  Laura and Howard looked at each other and Laura nodded fractionally.

  “Well, then,” Howard smiled, standing and pushing his chair. “Let's get going!”

  Laura and Howard started at the top end of the house, where the vast, carefully-manicured bedroom stood. Judy stood in the doorway, watching them as they looked through cupboards, drawers and hat-boxes of clothing, makeup and possessions. It was intimate and deeply personal, and Laura thought she might actually die of embarrassment, having to violate someone's privacy. She was relieved when they finally finished, her cheeks burning and her heart sore.

  “Would you like to go outside a while?” Howard asked carefully. Laura sighed.

  “No, it's okay. I'll wait until we're done.”

  They did the old nursery, redesigned as a spare-room, and then the study and the sitting-room. The kitchen they left until last. When they had finally combed through every room in the house, it was half-past six in the afternoon and Laura was exhausted.

  “I'll just go out onto the terrace for a while.”

  Howard nodded. “Do that,” he said, squeezing her arm. He turned to Judy, who was meticulously putting things back into the cupboard. “You're sure there's nothing else in here?”

  “No secret passages, no!” Judy said with a smile. She had loosened up considerably by the end of the search, and was starting to get into the swing of things by the kitchen, helping them by passing down boxes from the top shelf and packing the drawers as they finished with them again.

  Laura sighed and walked through the wide kitchen doors onto the airy patio. She breathed in deeply and relished the cool evening air in her lungs. She looked around the neatly-trimmed garden. Everything in this home was so perfect, from the tasteful magazines to the lighting – all out of a magazine. The last thing she would have expected of a tax-man or of her cousin.

  “There's something off about this,” she sighed. She wandered down the pathway, breathing in the cool air and the scent of flowers. At the side of the property she stopped. Here was the only slightly unpleasant note – the overflowing dumpsters outside the side door. The smell was not the best, and Laura turned back to go inside.

  “Laura?” Howard's voice interrupted her reverie.

  “Howard,” Laura smiled. “I was just coming back inside.”

  “That's good,” Howard said, inhaling sharply. “Something around here doesn't smell too good.”

  “I noticed,” Laura said, wrinkling her nose. “I'm glad we didn't check those!”

  Howard smiled, then stopped. “I wonder if they've been searched?”

  “Howard...” Laura said, holding his arm. “I really don't think I could do that!”

  “I don't think we should, either,” Howard agreed tenderly. “But the police should.”

  “Maybe they have.”

  “I'll ask,” he agreed. “We wanted to talk to Stanton anyhow. We can ask him.”

  “That's a good thought,” Laura agreed. She was pleased to finally have a policeman who worked with them – it was too hard to have them working against her always!

  “I think we should do that now, then,” Howard agreed. “If you think our job here is done?”

  “I do.” Laura felt suddenly weary. She didn't know how draining it had been, but now she felt as if she could barely stand up. The emotional sensitivity required to look through someone else's things, combined with Judy's sudden strangeness and the revelation about the will was all closing in. “Take me home?”

  Howard kissed her gently. “Okay,” he agreed pleasantly. “And then we can call the police. How's that?”

  “Yes,” Laura agreed. “I would like that.” She didn't think she could see another person that day. She was practically asleep on her feet, her energy all drained.

  “Okay,” Howard agreed and supported her with his arm as they walked into the house together.

  Judy and Laura said their goodbyes, and Judy insisted they take the cake with them when they left, as a thank you. Howard thanked her gently and wished her all the best. They went down the drive to their car and headed for home.

  “What do you think?” Howard asked, turning to Laura. The street-lamps were on, and they shone off his dark eyes. He looked very serious. “Do you think it's her?”

  “I don't know.”

  Laura leaned back and closed her eyes. She didn't know. She desperately did not want Judy to have been involved. But the more she thought about it, the more likely it seemed to be. She was the only one with both a motive and an opportunity. She had the most to gain. She had more information than anyone else about the will – except for Brandon Hugh.

  Howard leaned over, his gaze gentle. “I'm sorry, Laura. I know she's your cousin. But we have to keep her on the list, eh?”

  “We need to find that weapon,” Laura said firmly. That was the only way to show for sure that Judy had or hadn't been involved.

  They drove the rest of the way in silence. At home, Laura called the police and asked to speak to Private Stanton. She told him about her burglary. She also asked him if they had searched the dumpsters.

  “I'm sorry to say that I don't know, Miss Howcroft,” he said. “But we'll get onto it straight away.”

  Laura thanked him and hung up. She turned to Howard, eyes round. “They
'd better get onto it fast,” she said softly. “Tomorrow is garbage collection.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  LOST AND FOUND

  LOST AND FOUND

  “They found it.”

  Laura spun round as Howard came in through the door of the kitchen behind her. “What?”

  Howard faced her, his face white. “They found it. The weapon.”

  “What? Where? Not...” Laura covered her mouth with her hand. Not at cousin Judy's.

  “It was in the trash, but not at her house,” Howard confirmed. “Our Stanton is a thorough guy – he didn't just check at her house, but had the police combing the trash from the whole neighborhood. One of the officers found it completely by chance.”

  “Wow,” Laura breathed. “What was it?”

  “A bicycle-spoke.” Howard ran a hand through his hair. “Of all the ridiculous things not to have thought of! I can't believe I didn't think of it...” he sighed.

  “Howard,” Laura said gently, “I don't think you can blame yourself for not thinking of that. It's not exactly the sort of thing one does think of, now is it?”

  “I should have,” Howard said. “I mean, I was looking for a rod about a quarter of an inch thick and ten inches or so long...it's so obvious! I can't believe I missed it.”

  Laura tutted. “Don't blame yourself. The more important thing is – where was it?”

  Howard chuckled then. He looked so tired that the smile was completely at odds with him.

  “What?” Laura asked.

  “It was inside a pumpkin.”

  “No!” Laura chuckled breathlessly. It was so ridiculous that she couldn't help but see the amusing side. “How on earth did someone find it?”

  “He put his hand on it and it stuck into him,” Howard said grimly. “Poor sod. I had to give him a tetanus shot and blood tests for everything you could imagine. He's okay. It didn't really penetrate far, for which he and I can both be grateful.” he sighed.