A Fair Murder (Julia Blake Cozy Mystery Book 6)
Page 13
A tear rolled down Lesley’s cheek. “I hope Craig will understand. I’ve written him a letter explaining everything. As soon as I knew I wasn’t going to get better I realised my plans of moving to Australia would never come to fruition. Craig owes his life to Barney, I had to do whatever I could to save Barney’s job.” A sob escaped from her. “That seems such a ridiculous reason for killing someone. But you have to understand, it was one thing after another.”
Dad interrupted, “But Barney’s in prison, he’s confessed to killing Deborah.”
Lesley nodded. “He’s taking the blame on my behalf. He’s known for some time that I killed Deborah. He recognised the wine on her desk. He knows I haven’t got long to live. He’s going to stay in prison until I die. I was planning on leaving a full confession with Seth. I’m not happy with this plan, it’s something that Seth and Barney have come up with together. I tried to talk Barney out of it this morning.”
Seth banged his fist on the sofa. “Damn it, Julia! Why couldn’t you leave this alone? I knew what Lesley had done, I felt like doing the same to Deborah. We had a plan worked out. Lesley’s only got a few weeks left to live and I was going to make sure they were good weeks here in my cabin.”
Lesley sighed. “Seth, it’s okay. Julia was right to come here. I wasn’t happy with your plan, you know that. I’m too weak to argue any more. I don’t want Barney to stay in prison for a second longer than he has to. I need to confess. What I’ve done is wrong. I was consumed with hate for Deborah, I wasn’t thinking straight. I have to make everything alright, I have to own up, for my son’s sake.”
Everyone jumped as the door burst open. Big Bessie Maddocks screamed as she shot through the room and launched herself at Lesley.
Without thinking of her own safety, Julia jumped to her feet and threw herself in Bessie’s way. Julia heard something crack. Pain shot through her arm and the colours faded from the room.
Chapter 33
“You really don’t have to stay and watch,” Julia said as her arm was bandaged.
DI Clarke said, “I think I do. Are you in much pain?”
Julia shot him a look. “Not much, it’s only a sprain. The crack I heard was Seth’s wooden table. Look, I gave you my statement. And Dad gave his. And Seth gave his. And you’ve got Lesley in custody. What more do you want?”
“I wanted to thank you.”
Julia blinked. She turned to the nurse and said, “How strong are those painkillers that you’ve given me? Am I hallucinating?”
DI Clarke said, “I’m not going to repeat myself, you heard what I said. I’m not sure we would have pursued the case any further because Barney Samson was adamant that he was the one who killed Deborah Paignton. He even had bottles of blackberry wine at home.”
Julia nodded. “They had it all worked out, Seth and Barney were doing what they thought was right. I feel sorry for Lesley, she does feel real regret about killing Deborah. What’s going to happen to her?”
The inspector sighed. “We’ve spoken to her doctor, she doesn’t have long to live. We’ll take all the statements, collect the evidence from her home, but it’s unlikely that the case will come to court. Her son is flying over to see her.”
“That’s going to be a difficult conversation. What about Seth and Barney? Are you going to charge them with getting in the way of your enquiries, or whatever you call it?”
“If I could arrest someone for getting in the way of my enquiries you, Ms Blake, would be under permanent lock and key. I’ve already spoken to the powers that be about Seth and Barney, you don’t need to worry about them. Now, do you need a lift home?”
Julia looked at the nurse and raised her eyebrows. The nurse said, “Almost finished.”
Julia looked back at the inspector. “Are you offering me a lift?”
“No, but I can phone a taxi for you.”
Julia shook her head. “No thanks. I think my dad is coming here to collect Cain anyway, I’ll get a lift with them. Was there anything else? I feel like you’re gloating over my pain.”
“I would never do such a thing. I believe that young Cain has asked one of the nurses out.”
Julia smiled. “Is that gossip, inspector?”
“Not gossip, facts. He told me when I spoke to him earlier. Do you want to press charges against Bessie Maddocks?”
“For almost squashing me to death? No, it’s okay. She’s got enough to deal with. She looked genuinely upset when Seth told her he wanted a divorce.”
“Okay. I shall leave you then. Goodbye.” He gave her a curt nod and turned away.
Julia couldn’t resist the last word, “Until next time, DI Clarke.”
He looked back over his shoulder. “Let’s hope there won’t be a next time, Ms Blake.” He resumed his walk.
Julia winced as the nurse helped her off the table. She hoped there wouldn’t be a next time too. Getting herself involved in murder investigations was becoming a painful habit.
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:
gillianlarkin67@gmail.com
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
A FAIR MURDER
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.