Witch Is Why The Wolf Howled (A Witch P.I. Mystery Book 18)

by Adele Abbott

“I’m sorry.”

  “You knew when Robert and I left that day that he was going to kill me, didn’t you?”

  “I saw you buried.”

  “Didn’t you, Lesley?”

  “Yes, yes, I knew, but he said there was no other way.”

  “So, after he’d knocked me out and pushed me from his plane, you and he jumped from Southland’s aeroplane. And Robert pretended to be me. That’s what happened, isn’t it?”

  “Yes, but it wasn’t my idea. I wanted to get a divorce, but Bob said it would take too long, and that I’d lose all the money. It was all his idea. I’m sorry.”

  Right on cue, there was a loud knock at the door.

  “Mrs Thomas? It’s the police. Please open the door!”

  Lesley Thomas was in no condition to do anything, so I quickly reversed the ‘doppelganger’ spell, and then answered the door.

  Riley’s face was a picture.

  “Gooder? What are you doing here? Was it you who called us?”

  “Me? No. I was just interviewing Mrs Thomas. She’s decided to come clean. It seems that Robert Lane killed Dale. He must have knocked him unconscious and thrown him out of his plane. Then Lesley and Robert jumped from Gerry Southland’s plane. Robert Lane pretended to be Dale Thomas. If you talk to her, I’m sure she’ll fill you in on all the details. Anyway, I have to be going.”

  I tried to sidestep him, but he blocked my way.

  “You’re not going anywhere. Officer, take this woman back to the station.”

  There was no point in arguing, so I allowed the officer to put me in the back of the police car, and take me to my favourite holding cell. By now, I knew every square inch of that small room, including all the graffiti, some of which made for interesting reading.

  “Detective Riley will see you now.” A female officer escorted me to the interview room where my best friend was already seated.

  “That cell could really do with a lick of paint.”

  “Keep quiet, Gooder.”

  “Isn’t that going to make this interview rather difficult?”

  “You made an anonymous call to the station, didn’t you? I’ve just listened to the recording. I know it was you.”

  “No, I didn’t.” I’d used magic to disguise my voice, so I knew he was bluffing.

  “Are you seriously trying to tell me that you went to Lesley Thomas’s house to interview her, and she suddenly broke down and confessed everything?”

  “Pretty much, yeah.”

  “I don’t buy it. She’s been ranting about her husband coming back to haunt her.”

  “She thinks she’s seen a ghost?”

  “Did you pretend to be her husband?”

  “Do I look like Dale Thomas?”

  “Did you drug her?”

  “Now you’re just being ridiculous. Why don’t you give her a blood test?”

  “Ever since I moved here, you’ve been a thorn in my side, and I’m getting pretty fed up with it.”

  “How am I being a thorn in your side, when all I’m doing is solving your cases for you?”

  His face was so red, I half expected his head to explode.

  “I don’t need your help. I just want you to stay out of my way. My life is difficult enough as it is.”

  “Really? I always thought you had the life of Riley.” I laughed.

  He didn’t.

  ***

  Lola Bodmore’s visit to my office had got me thinking. Was it possible that Jimmy Underlake was sabotaging the washing machines in the hope that Bob Binns would lose his job as factory manager? Underlake apparently thought the job should have been his. The problem was I’d seen the QC process at first hand, I’d examined a number of machines at random, and I’d seen the footage from the camera. There was zero evidence so far to support the idea that he was behind the sabotage.

  There was one last thing I wanted to try. If nothing came of it, I’d have to tell Archie Bald that I’d drawn a blank. When I’d spoken to Underlake in the factory, he’d been relaxed and confident. Maybe, if I turned up at his home unannounced, I’d catch him off guard. I wanted to question him about his discontent at being overlooked for the factory manager’s job.

  Underlake lived in the area known as Elf Central. That wasn’t its official name, but the locals called it that because of the large number of elves who had chosen to take up residence there. Underlake lived at thirty-seven Elfin Drive—a small terraced property. The front garden was an eyesore, which can’t have gone down well with his neighbours on either side, both of whom had beautifully maintained gardens.

  “What do you want?” Underlake was clearly surprised to see me.

  “Can I have a quick word?”

  “What about?”

  “Can I come in? It should only take a few minutes.”

  “Can’t we do this at the factory?”

  “I have to report back to Archie Bald this evening,” I lied. “I suppose I could tell him you wouldn’t speak to me.”

  “There’s no need for that.” He stepped aside.

  Once inside, I reached for the handle of the first door.

  “Not in there!” He grabbed my hand. “Sorry, err—I’ve just decorated. The paint is still wet.”

  I couldn’t smell paint, but there was another smell—a strange one that I couldn’t place.

  He led the way to a room at the back of the house that overlooked a garden, which was even more untidy than the one on the front. It didn’t help that there was a pile of tyres in the middle of the unkempt lawn. That explained the strange smell—I realised then that it was rubber.

  “Why are you here?” he snapped. My visit had clearly rattled him for some reason. “I’ve already told you everything I know.”

  “Yes, and I’m grateful. I just have one more question for you. How did you feel when Archie gave the factory manager’s job to Bob Binns instead of you?”

  He shrugged. “It didn’t bother me.”

  “Are you sure about that? From what I heard, you thought the job was yours.”

  “It should have been,” he snapped again. “But it was Archie’s decision.”

  “What do you think of Bob Binns?”

  “What does it matter what I think about him?”

  “Do you think he’s doing a good job?”

  “It’s none of my business.” He made a point of checking his watch. “Look, I have to go out soon. Have we done?”

  “Do you think the current problems are down to Binns?”

  “He’s the factory manager, isn’t he?”

  “Do you think he should lose his job over this?”

  “Like I said. It’s down to Archie. Now, if you wouldn’t mind?”

  He ushered me out of the door.

  That had been an interesting encounter. Underlake certainly hadn’t acted like a man with nothing to hide. He’d been nervous and evasive, and when I’d mentioned his being overlooked for the factory manager’s job, I’d obviously hit a raw nerve. And why had he stopped me from going in the front room? He’d said that he’d just decorated, but I couldn’t smell paint.

  There was something fishy going on, and it warranted another look.

  ***

  “Aren’t you coming to bed?” Jack said, just after eleven o’ clock.

  “I have to go out.”

  “Why?”

  “It’s a case I’m working on.”

  “How come you didn’t mention it earlier?”

  “I didn’t want you to worry.” Ever since I’d been kidnapped by crazy Elsie, Jack had had a tendency to panic whenever I had to work late.

  “What’s the case?”

  “Industrial sabotage.”

  “What will you be doing?”

  “What is this, twenty questions?”

  “I just don’t want you to get hurt.”

  “I thought we’d agreed that you wouldn’t give me a hard time over my work.”

  “I know, but I still worry.”

  “Aw. That’s sweet.” I gave hi
m a peck on the lips. “I can look after myself. You should know that by now.”

  “Be careful.”

  ***

  There were no lights on in Jimmy Underlake’s house. That was a good sign. It was dark, and there was no one on the street, so I used the ‘shrink’, ‘levitate’ and ‘power’ spells to gain access to the house via the letterbox. The smell of rubber was even stronger, and it seemed to be coming from the front room, the one which Jimmy had stopped me entering.

  Back to full size, I turned the handle on the door. It wasn’t locked. Inside, the smell was overpowering, and I could see why. On the table was a glass dome, under which were the remains of what looked like a small section of a tyre.

  What was going on? Why would Underlake have a pile of old tyres in his back garden, and a section of tyre under a glass dome? I edged my way closer, so I could get a better look at the contents of the glass dome.

  And then, I spotted them.

  Chapter 24

  “You’re here?” Jack said when he woke the next morning, and found me beside him in bed.

  “Who else were you expecting?”

  He stretched. “What time did you get back?”

  “I wasn’t too late.”

  As soon as I’d found what I was looking for, I’d left Jimmy Underlake’s house the same way as I’d gone in.

  “I didn’t hear you come in.”

  “I’m not surprised, the way you were snoring.”

  “I don’t snore.”

  “Of course you don’t. And I don’t like custard creams.”

  “Was it a success? Your top secret late night mission?”

  “Enough of the questions. I can think of much better things you could be doing.”

  “Oh?” He grinned, and seemed suddenly much more awake. “What did you have in mind?”

  “Go and make me a cup of tea and some toast.”

  ***

  “What are you doing, Jill?” Mrs V had caught me stooping below the window. Why was I trying to save Winky’s love life from imploding again? I was a slave to that feline.

  “I—err—dropped something.”

  “What?”

  “Err—a rubber band.”

  “There’s plenty more in the cupboard.”

  “It was my favourite one.”

  “You have a favourite rubber band?”

  “Did you want something, Mrs V?”

  “Mr Carver is out there. Do you have time to see him, or shall I tell him that you’re too busy looking for your favourite rubber band?”

  “Send him in, please.”

  “Jill, thank you for seeing me without an appointment.” Alan Carver was all smiles.

  “No problem. Have a seat.”

  “I just wanted to come over and thank you. They’ve arrested Lesley and Robert, but I suppose you already know that.”

  “Yes. They’ll probably both be charged with murder, even though it was Robert who actually killed Dale.”

  “I still don’t understand how they did it.”

  “It was Lesley and Robert who jumped from Skydiving Adventure’s aeroplane. Robert was posing as Dale. Gerry Southland had never seen any of them before, so there was no reason to question the names they gave. They were seen making a safe landing by a young boy who lived close to the drop zone. He was the one who alerted me to the fact that another aeroplane had passed over earlier that day. That had been Robert’s plane. Lane must have somehow persuaded Dale to jump solo that day. Lesley must have cried off—perhaps she said she wasn’t feeling well—who knows? Lane knocked Dale out, and then pushed him from the aeroplane. By the time Robert and Lesley made their jump, Dale was already on the ground—dead. Robert made his escape while Lesley raised the alarm.”

  “Did the young boy see Dale fall to his death?”

  “Thankfully, no. He heard Lane’s plane go over, but by the time he got out of the house, it was already in the distance. He looked for parachutes, but there were none.”

  “I don’t understand how you managed to get Lesley to confess.”

  “I didn’t do anything, really. I think the guilt must have got to her in the end.”

  “I can’t thank you enough, Jill. None of this will bring Dale back, but at least his murderers will be brought to justice. Do you have your bill ready?”

  “Not at the moment, but I’ll put it in the post tonight.”

  He was about to leave, but then hesitated. “I almost forgot. I have something to show you.” He took out his phone. “This is a photo of my Winky.”

  Oh bum! If his Winky turned out to be my Winky, how could I continue to lie to Carver. I’d have to admit I got my Winky from a rehoming centre, and offer to hand him back.

  “There you go.” He held out the phone.

  “He’s a handsome cat.” I smiled. “And very similar in appearance to my Winky, except for one thing.”

  “Oh?”

  “It’s the wrong eye.”

  “Sorry?”

  “They both have a missing eye, but not the same one.”

  “Really?” He glanced around the office. “Where is the handsome boy?”

  “He’s gone on a—err—I mean—err—he’s on holiday.”

  “Without you?”

  “My cousin has taken him. She’s very fond of Winky.”

  “I see. Oh, well, thanks again, Jill.”

  Phew! My Winky actually was my Winky!

  Why was I so pleased?

  ***

  “Have you found your favourite rubber band, yet, Jill?” Mrs V was never going to let this one go.

  “Yes, thanks.”

  “Your accountant, Mr Stone, is here. Can you see him?”

  “Yes, please send him through.”

  “Luther? Whatever is the matter?” I’d never seen him look so down.

  “I’m sorry to bother you, Jill, I just didn’t know who else to talk to.”

  “Have a seat. Can I get you a drink?”

  “Not for me, thanks.”

  “What’s happened?”

  “Maria has called it off.”

  “What? When?”

  “Last night, totally out of the blue.”

  “Did she say why?”

  “She gave me the ‘it’s not you, it’s me’ speech, which presumably means it is me, but I honestly don’t know what I did wrong. I can usually tell if there isn’t a spark, but there was—I could feel it.”

  “You seemed such a good match.”

  “We were—we are. That’s what’s so baffling. I can’t even try to sort it out because she isn’t taking my calls, and I don’t know where she lives.”

  Poor Luther. I felt so sorry for him.

  “I could have a word with her, if you like?”

  “But you don’t know where she lives either.”

  “Have you forgotten I’m a P.I?”

  He managed a weak smile. “Do you think it would do any good?”

  “Maybe, maybe not, but what do you have to lose?”

  “Okay, thanks.” He started for the door, but then hesitated. “I always hoped you and I might get around to dating, but you never seemed interested.”

  My mouth opened, but no words came out.

  “Thanks, again, Jill,” he said, on his way out.

  I sat there for several moments trying to compute what I’d just heard. Luther Stone had wanted to date me? How could he have thought I wasn’t interested? I had practically thrown myself at him.

  ***

  Discussing Maria had reminded me that I still hadn’t sorted out the problems next door at I-Sweat. The first time I’d tried, I’d almost ended up in hospital after falling off the treadmill. The second time, I’d been distracted when I’d seen Maria buying blood. There was a free lifetime membership at stake, so I needed to get it sorted.

  Then I had a brainwave.

  I took out a piece of paper, and scribbled a note.

  “Is Brent in?” I asked at the I-Sweat reception desk.

  “I’ll just get h
im for you.”

  “Jill? Do you have news for me? Those guys were in again yesterday.”

  It looked as though I’d caught him mid-workout.

  “Sorry, I’ve been really busy.” I handed him the slip of paper. “The next time they come in, give them this note. I doubt you’ll have any problems after that.”

  He read it aloud, “Daisy Flowers is watching you. You have been warned.” “Who’s Daisy Flowers?”

  “I’m afraid I’m not at liberty to tell you that. Just pass them the note, and I’m pretty sure you won’t see them ever again.”

  “Okay.” He looked doubtful. “I’ll give it a go.”

  ***

  I’d asked Archie Bald to meet me at his factory.

  “Have you worked out what’s happening, Jill?”

  “I think so. Could you ask Bob Binns to meet us in the QC department?”

  “Of course.” He got straight on the phone to his factory manager.

  Five minutes later, the four of us were in the QC department. Jimmy Underlake didn’t look happy to see us. And particularly not happy to see me.

  “What’s going on, Archie?” Underlake seemed less confident than the last time we’d been there.

  “Jill asked for this meeting.”

  All eyes were on me now.

  “I’d like to check one of the washing machines which has already gone through QC and has been sealed, please.”

  “Didn’t you do that the last time you were here?” Binns said.

  “She checked three of them.” Underlake sounded indignant. “And they were all fine.”

  “I’d still like to take another look—just one machine this time.”

  “Go ahead.” Archie Bald nodded.

  I walked over to the line of machines which were awaiting despatch. “This one should do.”

  “Remove the packaging, would you Jimmy?” Archie said.

  Underlake looked unimpressed, but did as he was asked. “See, the seal is in perfect condition. Just like the others you looked at.”

  “Jill?” Archie looked at me.

  I slipped the small, clear plastic container from my pocket, and placed it on the bench. “This, gentlemen, is the Flexilis Beetle.”