Rose Scented Murder

by Jill Paterson

  ‘Nevertheless, they’re timely since I’ve just finished reading through DS Betts’ notes on the cases and I can see how complicated the investigations were, Fitzjohn.’ Peta gestured to the chair in front of her desk. ‘You’re both to be commended.’

  ‘Thank you. They have been baffling cases and I have to admit there were times I had misgivings as to whether we’d be successful,’ replied Fitzjohn as his sat down. ‘They unravelled in the end, however.’

  ‘They did. And I have some pleasing news as well,’ she said. ‘Firstly, following your recommendation, DS Betts has been promoted to Detective Senior Sergeant. He was notified early this morning.’

  ‘No one deserves it more,’ said Fitzjohn. ‘He’s a credit to the force.’

  ‘I agree.’

  ‘And the second piece of news?’ asked Fitzjohn.

  ‘It concerns Inspector Grieg’s fate. Apparently, he was given a choice of resigning from the force or being dismissed. Not surprisingly, he chose the former.’

  ‘He’s not a young man. It won’t be easy for him,’ said Fitzjohn.

  ‘He brought it upon himself, Fitzjohn, and evidently he’s fallen on his feet.’

  ‘Oh?’

  ‘Yes. He’s now working for the city council as a parking inspector. I think handing out parking fines will suit him down to the ground, don’t you?’

  ‘I feel that handing out parking fines to unsuspecting citizens is far from easy, but I doubt Grieg will find it difficult,’ replied Fitzjohn before an uneasy silence filled the room.

  ‘Is everything all right, Alistair?’ asked Peta, her face full of concern. ‘I thought you’d be pleased to see Grieg get his comeuppance.’

  ‘I am, believe me!’

  ‘Is it your suspension? Are you finding it difficult to settle back in again? I can only imagine how traumatic it must have been for you.’

  ‘You’re very perceptive,’ replied Fitzjohn. ‘I’ve been asking myself the same question and I did think it must be my suspension. That is until I walked into my office a few minutes ago and realised it wasn’t that at all.’

  ‘Then what is it?’

  ‘It’s time for me to leave the force, Peta.’

  ‘What!’ Peta stared in disbelief at Fitzjohn.

  ‘I came in here to tender my resignation.’

  ‘But… I don’t know what to say,’ said Peta, aghast. ‘Are you sure you want to do this? Perhaps you should take some time to think it over first because this isn’t just your career we’re talking about, Alistair, it’s your whole life. You are Day Street Police Station.’

  ‘Thank you for the endorsement,’ replied Fitzjohn with a chuckle. ‘And you’re right that the station has been the centre of my life for a very long time and I’ve been happy here but, I know now that it’s time for me to leave.’

  Peta stared at Fitzjohn for a long moment. ‘You really have made up your mind, haven’t you? I can see it in your eyes.’

  ‘Yes, I have,’ replied Fitzjohn as a sense of relief flooded through his body. ‘I have indeed.’

  ‘Well, it saddens me to see you go, it really does,’ said Peta, her eyes glistening. ‘What are your plans for the future?’

  ‘To be honest, I have no idea.’

  ***

  Fitzjohn walked back to his office, the impact of his decision slowly sinking in. At the same time, however, he knew he had done the right thing in facing the fact that remaining at the station was not possible considering his attraction to Peta Ashby. After all, rumours had already started. But if I’m being honest, it isn’t the only issue that’s driving me, he thought as he opened the door and walked inside. It’s much more than that. Opening the cardboard box on his desk, he reached for the frame that held Edith’s smiling image. Since you’ve been gone, I’ve marked time, he said to himself. I’ve continued on in the same pattern, holding on to all we held dear, but I know now that the time has come to let you go, Edith. I have to begin again. With a slight hesitation, he blinked back a tear, placed the frame into the box and closed its lid.

  ‘I thought you’d have everything unpacked and in place by now.’

  Fitzjohn turned to see Betts in the doorway. ‘That was the plan when I arrived this morning,’ he said.

  ‘Have you decided to take leave instead?’ asked Betts as they sat down.’ It’s probably the perfect time since we’ve just finished our investigations.’

  ‘No, not exactly,’ replied Fitzjohn. ‘I’ve decided to leave the police force. I’ve tendered my resignation.’ Speechless, Betts stared at his boss. ‘I can’t explain,’ Fitzjohn continued. ‘I just know it’s what I need to do,’

  ‘Are you sure, sir? I mean…’

  ‘I am, Betts. I think it’s just taken me a while to realise it. But that aside, I hear there are congratulations to be given. Your promotion came through.’

  ‘It has. I did hope for a promotion after sitting my promotional exams but I didn’t expect it to happen so soon.’

  ‘It’s well deserved, Betts. You’re an invaluable member of the force. You’ll go far.’

  CHAPTER 24

  I n truth, it took Fitzjohn a number of months to acclimatise himself to his new situation, filling his days with his passion for gardening, spending endless hours at the library where he immersed himself in books he previously never had time to seek out, and involving himself fully in the activities of the North Shore Orchid Society. Nevertheless, there were instances when misgivings crept into his thoughts as to whether he had made the right decision, particularly since having resigned from the force his routine had remained the same. Often his thoughts went to Peta Ashby, and he asked himself whether he should call her but each time, he abandoned the idea and remained frustrated with indecision.

  It was during one of these instances of indecisiveness that his telephone rang. ‘Fitzjohn,’ he answered, puzzled by the unknown number on the screen.

  ‘Alistair, it’s David Roberts from North Shore Area Command.’

  ‘David, how are you? I don’t think we’ve spoken since the investigation at Lane’s End. That was some time ago.’

  ‘It’s been a while, hasn’t it?,’ said David. ‘I heard via the grapevine you’ve left the force. What are you doing now?’

  ‘I’m still deciding.’

  ‘On that account, you might be interested in what I’m calling about. I need a consultant for a homicide case. No footwork involved, just your intellect. Of course, I realise you might not wish to get back into the same kind of work, but give it some thought and let me know.’

  ***

  And so it was that Fitzjohn’s path in life took an unexpected turn and with it a renewed sense of enthusiasm since it led to further consultancies. Now fully settled into his new routine, he made his way into North Sydney Police Station and towards the incident room where the management meeting was about to commence.

  ‘Alistair?’

  At the sound of the familiar voice, Fitzjohn turned to see Peta Ashby. ‘Ah, this is an unexpected pleasure,’ he said, at once captivated by her sparkling blue eyes and warm smile. ‘How are you?’

  ‘I’m well. So, is the rumour I heard that you’ve taken up consultancy work true? Or are you here to make a citizen’s complaint?’ she added with a chuckle.

  ‘No, the rumour’s true. I have the benefits of investigating a case without the stress. Are you arriving or departing?’ he asked.

  ‘I’m just on my way back to Day Street otherwise I’d love to stay and catch up.’

  ‘And I’m due in a meeting so… Can I give you a call?’ said Fitzjohn unwilling to give away this unexpected opportunity. ‘We can arrange something, perhaps.’

  ‘I’d like that. It’ll give us the chance to continue our unfinished conversation.’ Fitzjohn gave a questioning look. ‘Don’t you remember? That day at the Charlotte Café. You were about to tell me something when my telephone rang. Something to do with why we were the subject of rumour and a wager.’

  ‘Ah! So I was. I’ll
tell you over dinner tonight.’

  THE END

  CAST OF CHARACTERS – Rose Scented Murder

  Detective Chief Inspector Alistair Fitzjohn

  Detective Sergeant Martin Betts

  Chief Superintendent Peta Ashby

  Charles Conroy- Forensic Pathologist

  Detective Senior Constable Williams

  Inspector Grieg

  Constable Smithers

  Meg-Fitzjohn’s sister

  Sophie-Fitzjohn’s niece

  Rhonda Butler-Fitzjohn’s neighbour

  Blossom – Rhonda’s sister

  Edwin – Rhonda’s brother

  Constance Parsons – Ghost writer

  Harriet Flynn – Constance’s friend

  Howard Greenwood - Actor

  Leo Greenwood – Howard’s brother

  Lyn Evans – Howard’s housekeeper

  Simon Roach - Playwright

  Madelaine Wells - Actress

  Stephanie Mowbray – Dress designer

  Greta Mowbray – Stephanie’s mother

  Elizabeth Tippett – Stephanie’s cousin

  About the Author

  Jill is best known for her Fitzjohn mysteries including The Celtic Dagger, Murder At The Rocks, Once Upon A Lie, Lane’s End, Deadly Investment, Poisoned Palette, The Fourth String and Rose Scented Murder. She has also authored two non-fiction books entitled Self Publishing-Pocket Guide and Writing-Painting A Picture With Words.

  Born in Yorkshire, UK, Jill now lives in Australia with her musician husband and bossy cat, Fergus. Her favourite pastimes when not writing are painting and photography.

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  Say Hello!

  Jill talks about writing, self publishing and reviews books on her blog The Perfect Plot. She would love you to drop by. Alternatively, you can follow Jill on Twitter, catch up on Facebook or send her an email at:- jp.fitzjohnmysteries@gmail.com.

  Information on the Fitzjohn Mystery Series can be found at Fitzjohn Mysteries

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  The

  Fitzjohn Mystery

  Series

  BY

  Jill Paterson

  In the genre of cozy murder mysteries, the Fitzjohn Mystery Series features Detective Chief Inspector Alistair Fitzjohn. A police officer of the old guard, his methodical, painstaking methods are viewed by some as archaic. Nevertheless, over the years, they have brought him success as well as the respect of all but one of his colleagues; Superintendent Grieg, the man Fitzjohn regards as his nemesis.

  Fitzjohn lives alone in his Birchgrove sandstone cottage where he escapes the harrowing realities of his job by tending his orchids, a legacy from his late wife, Edith. But he can’t escape his sister, Meg, who is determined to help him through his grief nor his neighbour, Rhonda Butler, whose main objective is to rid him of his greenhouse.

  His sergeant, Martin Betts, is an eager young detective even though having difficulty when it comes to viewing the unfortunate victims of crime, and occasionally finding himself a pawn in Chief Superintendent Grieg's war against Fitzjohn.

  The setting for the series is the city of Sydney and its environs taking in the historic Rocks area, Sydney University, Rushcutters Bay, the Northern Beaches, and the Blue Mountains to name a few.

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