Murder Makes A Claim (Julia Blake Cozy Mystery Book 8)

by Gillian Larkin

  Cain butted in, “Ellen’s got a lot of opinions, hasn’t she? Do you want that chocolate mint?”

  Julia pushed the after-dinner mint towards him. “Do you want to hear what she said about Karl?”

  Cain nodded and popped the mint into his mouth.

  “Ellen said that Karl didn’t appear to have any enemies. She never heard anyone speaking badly about him. But, she overheard him in his office a few times talking softly to someone on the phone, and arranging to meet them later. Ellen says he wasn’t talking to Olivia during those times because Olivia was at the other side of the office talking to Ivor.”

  Cain shook his head in disgust. “Office affairs. Who knows where they’re going to lead? I’m glad I don’t work in an office. I wouldn’t want lots of women bothering me.”

  Julia kept her smile to herself. “Anyway, this soft talking and the arranging of meetings took place about six months ago. So it looks like Karl was having an affair too. If he was killed with a stiletto heel, we could be looking at another woman who works in the office. Or someone connected with the office.”

  Cain nodded. “Are you going to tell DI Clarke about this new information?”

  Julia pulled a face. “I suppose I’ll have to. I’m too full to think about that now. This is a silly question, but do you want anything else to eat?”

  Cain picked up the menu and scanned it. “I think I’m alright. I need to leave room for my tea later.” He put the menu down. “Thanks for bringing me here. I really enjoyed that carvery. Do you think they’ll have things like that when we go on holiday?”

  Julia smiled at his hopeful face. “They do have eating places like this where we’re going. Come on, time to move on to our next job.” She stood up and groaned. “I knew I’d eaten too much.”

  Cain sprang to his feet. “Me too! I’ll race you to the car!”

  Julia let him win. Her thoughts were back on Karl. The mystery woman must be someone he worked with. From what she’d heard about Karl, he barely left the office. Had Olivia found out about his affair? Or was there something else going on? She couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that there was something she was missing.

  Chapter 20

  Fred gave them a bright smile as they walked into the reception area of the Inkwell’s Insurance building later that day.

  Cain returned his smile. “You look better today, Fred.”

  “I feel better. How are you two today?”

  Cain told Fred about the amazing carvery he’d had.

  Fred nodded. “You look as if you need fattening up.” He turned his attention to Julia. “I hope you don’t mind me saying this, lass, but you do look a bit peaky.”

  Julia gave him a small smile. “I’m just tired. It’s hard work doing double shifts. Is everyone back in the office today? Have the police been back?”

  “I haven’t seen the police. Lorraine is back.” Fred frowned. “She doesn’t seem herself today. She seems very quiet, as if she’s got something on her mind. Anyway! That’s none of our business. Let me get your cleaning trolley out.” He turned towards the room behind him, a creak shot out.

  Cain said, “Fred, why are you making that creaking noise?”

  Julia let out a small tut. “Cain, that’s very rude.”

  Cain grinned at her. “You’ve been wanting to know why too.”

  Julia gave a small shrug. “I might have been a little curious.”

  Fred turned back to them. “It’s my back. I was involved in a terrible accident in my forties. I used to work on a building site, I did a bit of everything. Health and safety wasn’t around in those days. I won’t go into details but I’m lucky to be alive. Thora, my late wife, was glad I was given a desk job afterwards. I didn’t stop using my hands though! I used to make toys and things out of wood.” His eyes twinkled at a memory. “I used to put a mark on my toys, a little F and T entwined together. It was Thora’s idea. I do miss her so. That’s why I work here, it’s better than being in an empty house. I hope the new manager doesn’t fire me.” His voice caught on the last word and he headed into the small room to collect the cleaning trolley.

  When he’d brought it out, Julia said, “Who will the new manager be? Will it be Ivor?”

  Fred shook his head. “He seems the obvious choice, but who knows? Olivia Rayburn used to work here a while ago, there’s a rumour that she could take over. I don’t think Ivor would like that.”

  Cain took the trolley from Fred. “Thank you. Do you want me to go on your rounds with you again later?”

  A flicker of fear crossed Fred’s face. “Better not, lad, I don’t want people thinking I can’t do my job. Thanks anyway. I’d better get back to my post.”

  Julia remembered something. “Fred, do you know anything about the history of Inkwell’s Insurance? About some kind of scandal?”

  Fred’s wrinkly face wrinkled even more as he thought. “Do you mean like some sort of mis-selling? Oh! I’m forever getting those phone calls about mis-sold insurance policies! They’re a damned nuisance.”

  Cain nodded. “I get those too, and I haven’t even got any insurance!”

  “Haven’t you?” Julia asked. “Not even life insurance? Or house insurance?”

  Cain’s face dropped. “I don’t think so. Do I need it?”

  “We’ll have a talk about that later. We’d better get on.” Julia gave Fred a final wave and walked with Cain towards the lift. Cain pushed the trolley. Julia was so tired that she was tempted to climb on the trolley.

  They made their way to floor seven. It was quiet and there were only a few people sitting at their desks. Julia and Cain immediately got to work.

  Julia noticed Lorraine sitting at her desk, a sad look on her face. Was Lorraine thinking about the real father of her baby? Maybe Julia was being unkind and Joe really was the father.

  Julia reached for Lorraine’s bin. Lorraine gave her a distracted look and mumbled, “Thanks.”

  Julia frowned. That wasn’t like the Lorraine she’d spoken to in the last few days. Julia returned the empty bin and moved on to the next set of desks.

  Joe gave Julia a small smile as she approached his desk. She asked him how he was today.

  He put his pen down and said, “I’m not sure to be honest. The police have been back in today. I don’t know what they’re looking for. Everything feels strange, no one knows what’s going on. Ivor’s taken charge at the moment but he doesn’t know if it’s going to be permanent.” Joe let out a sigh. “I feel like we’re all waiting for this murder to be solved before we move on. Speaking of which, have you got any further with your own investigations?”

  Julia paused. She couldn’t tell Joe about her visit to Ivor’s house because she would have to mention the photograph of Lorraine. And she didn’t want to mention the sleeping tablets because that’s something she only wanted the police to know.

  Joe waited for her to speak. He gave her a wry smile. “You think I’m a suspect, don’t you? I can see it in your face.”

  “It’s not that. There are some things I don’t want to talk about.”

  “I think I know what it is. Ivor told me that you were going to his house. I’m guessing that you saw his collection of photographs.”

  Julia couldn’t help her lips curling in disgust. “I certainly did.”

  Joe laughed. “It’s all a show. Ivor thinks he has to give off some sort of playboy image. Did you see the one of him and Lorraine?”

  Julia pressed her lips together and nodded.

  “Ah. Now I get it. You think that Lorraine and Ivor were an item, or still are. And that Lorraine could be carrying Ivor’s baby.”

  “It had crossed my mind,” Julia admitted.

  Joe continued, “They were a couple for a while, some time last year. But Lorraine didn’t like his flirty ways so she ended the relationship. What else have you found out?”

  Julia sat next to Joe and lowered her voice. “I saw Ivor and Olivia at a pub today. They looked very close. And Fred’s just told me ther
e is a possibility that Olivia might take over the company.”

  Worry crossed Joe’s face. “Yes, I’ve heard that too. Olivia’s got shares in the company, and I’m presuming that she’ll get Karl’s shares too now. Do you think Ivor and Olivia were working together to kill Karl?” He shook his head. “No, they wouldn’t do that. Would they?”

  Julia said, “Joe, you’d be surprised at what motivates people to kill. Perhaps Olivia and Ivor are having an affair. Maybe they wanted Karl out of the way so that they could be together, and also, so that they could have the company to themselves. I know that Ivor’s got plans for the company.”

  Joe shifted in his seat. “I don’t like the sound of that at all. People don’t just go around killing other people.”

  “Someone murdered Karl,” Julia pointed out. “And that person could be someone you know.”

  “I feel a bit sick now,” Joe admitted. “Is there anything you can do to speed up the investigation? Can’t you speak to that inspector friend of yours?”

  “He’s not my friend. I’ll do what I can. If Olivia comes in, you could try and find out what her plans are.” Julia stood up. “But don’t put yourself in danger. I’d better get on.”

  Joe turned back to his desk. Julia suddenly wished she hadn’t burdened him with her theories. But, she’d done it now. Perhaps Joe would uncover some valuable information.

  Julia and Cain finished their cleaning work on floor seven and, after a rapid bin emptying visit to the basement, they headed towards floor eight.

  As they stepped out of the lift they saw Ivor leaning against a desk, his arms folded.

  “Ms Blake, I’ve been waiting for you. Can you come into my office please?” He straightened up and walked swiftly towards Karl’s office.

  Chapter 21

  Cain whispered, “He knows! He knows we’ve been talking about him! He’s the murderer! Don’t go in his office!”

  Julia said, “I am going in. I want to know why he wants to talk to me.”

  “I’ll cover you,” Cain said, a brave note in his voice.

  Julia walked down to Karl’s office. She could hear Cain pushing the trolley behind her.

  She walked into the office. Ivor still had his arms folded and he was now standing behind Karl’s desk.

  “Is something the matter?” Julia asked.

  Ivor released his arms and looked at the floor as if hoping to find some words there. When he looked back he had a half smile on his face. “This is awkward. When you saw me in the pub today I was with Olivia Rayburn, Karl’s wife.”

  “I know who she is.”

  “Right. It might have looked as if there was something funny going on with us. But there wasn’t!” Ivor gave a forced laugh. “I was just comforting her. Olivia’s going through a hard time.”

  “You don’t have to explain yourself to me, it’s none of my business.”

  Ivor rubbed the back of his neck. “Well, it sort of is your business. Olivia looks upon me as a special friend and she wants my attention to be focused on her at the moment. Just while she gets through this difficult time.” He swallowed and looked even more uncomfortable. “When we left the pub today I explained to Olivia who you were. And she said that it was obvious from how you spoke to me that you wanted to be more than a cleaning lady to me. Ha! Isn’t that ridiculous?”

  “Extremely ridiculous.” Julia folded her arms now and gave him a cold look. “I hope you explained that our relationship was going to be a purely business one. I certainly haven’t led you to believe otherwise.”

  Ivor held his hands up. “I know that! It’s just that Olivia is in a delicate state at the moment and I don’t want to upset her. So, I think it would be better if I didn’t employ you as my cleaning woman. In fact, Olivia has given me the name of the woman who cleans for her, she charges less than you.”

  Julia bit her tongue. She was so tempted to tell Ivor Walsall that she had no intention of taking him on as a client anyway. She took a deep breath, put a smile on her face and said, “I quite understand.” She reached into her pocket and took out his house key. She passed it to him. “Thank you for considering me anyway. Was there anything else?”

  “No! That’s it. Thank you.” Ivor took the key and looked at it, unable to meet Julia’s gaze.

  “I’ll get on with my cleaning work then.” Julia left the office and quickly walked over to Cain who was standing nearby. She gave him a knowing look and they walked towards the far side of the office. Julia quickly filled Cain in on her conversation with Ivor.

  “Wow,” Cain said. “Olivia’s very controlling, isn’t she? She’s certainly got Ivor under her thumb. Do you think she got Ivor to kill Karl on her behalf?”

  “Who knows? I wish DI Clarke would phone me back. I wish the police would hurry up and sort this murder case out. I really don’t want to be in this office much longer. I’ll be glad when tomorrow comes, it’ll be our last day here.”

  Cain put his hand on Julia’s arm. “Don’t let them get to you, Julia. Think about our holiday. I’ve signed up to the pottery class with your dad. I’ll make you a special cup.”

  Julia laughed. “That’s very kind of you. Are you still going to the pub tonight?”

  “Yes. Are you still giving me a lift? You could stay for a drink.”

  “I’ll see.” Julia sighed. “I’m beginning to sound like some sort of wind instrument with all this sighing I’m doing.” She walked over to Ivor’s old desk. Her eyebrows rose. “It looks like Ivor’s cleaned his desk out. I wonder if he’s moved into Karl’s office on a permanent basis.”

  Cain looked over to Karl’s office. “I don’t know about that, he’s certainly made himself comfortable in there. Oh, he’s heading out of the office now. He’s on his phone to someone. Shall I move up the office and see if I can hear who he’s talking to?”

  “If you like,” Julia replied, not really caring any more.

  Cain began to tiptoe forward.

  Julia laughed. “Walk normally, Cain, you’ll only draw attention to yourself like that.”

  Cain nodded and proceeded to walk as nonchalantly as he could.

  Julia carried on with emptying the bins. She let her mind drift towards her holiday. It would be lovely to have time with Mum and Dad. And she knew that Cain was going to have a wonderful time.

  She dropped the bin she was holding as Cain leapt forward. He put his hand to the side of his mouth and whispered, “He was talking to Olivia! He said he was leaving the office now and he’d meet her outside. Shall we follow them?”

  Julia shook her head. “We’ve got work to do. Has he gone now?”

  “Yes,” Cain whispered.

  “Then why are you whispering?”

  Cain grinned and removed his hand. “It just felt right. I’ve emptied all the bins at the top of the office. Shall I get the vacuum cleaner out?”

  “Yes please. I’ll empty the bin in Karl’s office. Or should I call it Ivor’s office?”

  Julia had only been in Karl’s office for a moment when the phone rang. Julia couldn’t help but listen to the irate message that was left:

  “Mr Rayburn, this is Claire calling from the Queens Hotel. Again. It’s in reference to the jewellery that was left in our hotel by your partner three months ago. It still hasn’t been collected despite our messages to you. If the item is not picked up in the next few days then we will have no option but to give it to a local charity shop.”

  Julia tapped her chin and muttered, “Jewellery? I wonder who it belongs to.”

  “It certainly isn’t mine,” a sharp voice said from the open door.

  Chapter 22

  Julia recognised the owner of the voice without needing to turn around.

  Olivia Rayburn walked into the office, her chin held high. She looked Julia up and down. “Why are you listening to private messages?”

  “I wasn’t listening on purpose,” Julia defended herself. “I couldn’t help but hear it. I was collecting the bin from behind the desk.” She stop
ped. She didn’t need to explain herself.

  Olivia walked closer, her eyes narrowed. “I know what you’re up to. You’re after Ivor, aren’t you? He told me you were working tonight so I thought I’d come up and have a friendly word with you.”

  Julia doubted that Olivia knew any friendly words.

  Olivia slid her finger across Karl’s desk. A look of disgust crossed her face. “You’re not a very good cleaner, are you?”

  “My job is to empty the bins and vacuum the carpets.”

  “I understand that you’re standing in for our regular cleaner. Is that right?”

  “Yes. I’ve done this before for Ellen Parks. She’s your regular cleaner.”

  Olivia gave her a slow nod. “I shall be having words with Ellen Parks. I’d rather she used someone else in the future to clean for us when she’s away.”

  Julia could feel her fists clenching. Keeping her voice calm, she said, “You can do what you like.”

  Olivia let out a nasty laugh. “Oh, I always do. You’d be wise to keep out of my way.” She waved a hand at Julia. “Get on with your work then. I don’t pay you to stand around.”

  Julia silently counted to ten as she waited for Olivia to leave the room. Her fists slowly unfurled. She’d only got to six in her head when something made her smile.

  Just as Olivia had left the office, Cain had ‘accidentally’ run over her feet with the vacuum. Julia saw Olivia giving Cain a disgusted look before she stormed away. Cain looked towards Julia with a big grin on his face. He gave her a thumbs up and then returned to his vacuuming. Bless him, Julia thought. She pushed all thoughts of evil Olivia to one side.

  Now, who did that jewellery belong to? Should she go to the Queens Hotel and collect it? It was only a five minute walk away. Should she let DI Clarke know about the message?

  Julia discussed the matter with Cain as they made their final trip to the basement.

  “I think we should collect the jewellery and try and find out who it belongs to,” Cain said. He rummaged in his pocket and pulled out a crumpled five-pound note. He held it up. “I’ll use this to bribe whoever is on duty, then they’ll give us the name of the owner.”