Murder in Mind Read Online Free PDF

grandchildren.’
    â€˜What is young Frank going to say to this lot coming in and taking over his bedroom?’
    â€˜I’ve talked to him about it, and he understands how it is. He wants to know if they’ll bring him an American football jersey. I’d better remind Thomas to arrange it. First things first. I’ll go up to see what we’ve got in the way of furniture. Then I’ll take that curtain to be mended and do the weekend shopping on the way back.’
    She went upstairs, past the bedrooms in regular use, to the very end of the corridor, where there was a large room which had been unused – save as a dump for spare furniture – for as long as she could remember.
    She quailed. There were no curtains, or carpet. Well, that might be a roll of carpet and underlay over there . . . and yes, there was a huge box here which . . . Brilliant, curtains! But alas, sadly dusty and . . . Oh dear, frayed at the edges. They fell apart as she lifted them up.
    Some dust sheets had been inadequately draped over a mound of furniture, but lifting up one edge, she spotted a double bed – in pieces and very old-fashioned – some chairs which weren’t in bad condition, a small wardrobe and a chest of drawers which needed repair.
    She despaired. Leaving everything as it was, she investigated the bathroom next door, which only Frank used nowadays. He liked the solid feel of the cast-iron bath and its claw feet. Terribly old-fashioned, of course. So old-fashioned it was almost fashionable again.
    Next along the corridor was Thomas’s sanctum. Had she time to spare for a few minutes’ peace and quiet? Yes, she’d make time.
    She went in. The room was sparsely furnished with a couple of chairs, a small table holding various Bibles and reference notes, and an embroidered Victorian picture of Jesus as shepherd, carrying a lamb over his shoulder. There was a blind at the window and a mat on the shining floorboards. Despite its lack of luxurious furnishings, it had a welcoming look to it.
    Ellie only visited the room occasionally, but Thomas used it every day as a place in which to think, to meditate, to pray.
    If she commandeered this room, she could put his daughter and her partner in here and . . . No, she couldn’t. This room was perhaps the most important in the whole house to Thomas, and she was not even going to hint that he might move out for a while . . . Even though he was supposed to use the library for his den, and never did.
    No, she must make up her mind to it. She could not use that room for guests. She sat down, trying to calm her mind.
    Dear Lord, all this fuss and palaver. I fear I’m losing sight of what’s important in my life. Sorry about that. But if you could spare a moment to . . . No, I can’t ask for help on household matters, that’s absurd. Although I am rather worried; have we enough bed linen to go round?
    Sorry, sorry. Again. I’m being stupid. I should be asking you to keep an eye on Rose so that she doesn’t fall ill again. And on Diana. And on . . . well, you know how many people I have to worry about, and you don’t need reminding . . . or perhaps you do? Only, I haven’t got the time at the moment. Yes, I know I ought to make a bigger space for you in my life, but . . . please forgive me. Is that the time? Must dash.

THREE
    Friday noon
    E llie descended the stairs, struggling to hold on to the bundle of curtains she’d disinterred from the box in the junk room.
    The doorbell rang. She tried to shift the unwieldy bundle under one arm as she opened the door. For a moment she failed to recognize her visitor. When you don’t expect the police to call, it’s a shock to find them on your doorstep, isn’t it?
    â€˜Let me help you with that,’ said Detective Constable Milburn, deftly relieving Ellie of the bundle as it slipped out of her arms. ‘Is it a bad time to call?’
    â€˜No, I suppose