The smile was still on the inspector’s face. “Like the common cold, there’s no point fighting it. I wanted to let you know that Yvonne Murphy has confessed to everything. I think she quite enjoyed giving her confession, it was almost as if we were her audience.”
“And what about Fabian Black?” Julia asked. “You said in your text that he’d given you some information.”
“Yes, he told us about the stolen script, and how he’d seen Yvonne coming out of the costume room at the town hall. He also identified Yvonne Murphy as the driver of the car that hit him. We had all the facts and were already on our way to St Andrew’s Church. I knew you were inside because I saw your car on the road. I rang you as I came into the hall and soon discovered your phone under a chair.”
Julia’s eyes narrowed at the inspector’s unusually cheerful expression. She said, “How long was it before you found me in the kitchen?”
“We were outside the door for a while. I wanted to hear what you were talking about. We were poised to rush in at any moment. I must say, Ms Blake, you sounded absolutely terrified in there.”
Julia pointed a finger at him. “I can’t believe you did that! Why didn’t you rush in and arrest Yvonne straight away! You had enough evidence from Fabian Black!”
DI Clarke shrugged, he was still smiling. “But where would the fun in that be?”
“But she had a gun pointed at me! She could have shot me at any moment!”
“The gun was a prop, couldn’t you tell? Anyway, ladies, I have to go now. Let’s not meet again anytime soon, Ms Blake.” He nodded at them both and walked away.
Julia’s mouth dropped open. She turned to Louisa. Louisa was just as shocked as her and reached out a hand. Julia passed her the chocolate box. Louisa took one, and then Julia did the same. They sat and chewed for a while.
Julia shook her head. “I suppose he thinks I deserve that. I know I shouldn’t get involved, but sometimes, I just can’t help it. It just seems to happen.”
Louisa said, “I’m glad you got involved in my affairs. If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have left my house ever! I think it might be good for me to speak to that woman you made contact with, the one that Brandon possibly kidnapped too. I’d like to speak to her, I think it would help me.”
Julia nodded. “I’ll give you her details.” She stopped and looked closer at Louisa. “What’s wrong? Are you in pain? You’ve got a funny expression on your face.”
Louisa clasped her hands together. “I’ve been dying to tell you this since the moment you walked in. I’ve got that school job! I start in a couple of weeks! Julia, can you believe it? They want me despite my breakdown in the supply closet!”
Julia stood up and gave her big hug. “Louisa, I am so pleased for you! Well done.”
She released her and sat back down.
Louisa said, “I haven’t finished yet. I’ve got more good news. The play is still going ahead! Fabian Black wants to proceed with it! Without Eric of course. Isn’t that wonderful?”
Julia thought about Cain and Dad practicing their lines, over and over again. She looked down at the chocolate box and said, “I think I’m going to need a bigger box, a much bigger box.”
A note from the author
I’ve always loved mystery stories. When I was young I used to read Enid Blyton books, then as I got older I progressed to Agatha Christie. My favourite TV programmes are Murder, She Wrote, Lewis and all Agatha Christie ones. I’d always dreamed about writing my own stories but I never had the courage to do so. But one day, I decided to just go ahead and do it! Sometimes you have to just leap, and hope you don’t fall off the side of a mountain.
You can get 3 free short stories (including Julia Blake’s first stories) when you sign up to my website at www.gillianlarkin.co.uk
You can see all my books on my website, including the ones that are free. Please feel free to write to me at:
[email protected]
If you liked this book would you have the time to write a short review? Thank you, I really do appreciate it. I read all my reviews.
Best wishes
Gillian
JULIA BLAKE MURDER MYSTERIES
DEATH SHOWS UP
BY
GILLIAN LARKIN
www.gillianlarkin.co.uk
Front cover image by www.coverkicks.com
Copyright 2015 by Gillian Larkin
All rights reserved. No part of this publication must be reproduced in any form, without permission from the author.
This is a work of fiction. Any similarity to any persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
Death Shows Up (Julia Blake Cozy Mystery Book 7) Page 13
