Scandal at Six (Lois Meade Mystery) Read Online Free PDF Page A

But there’s no such thing as a completely burglarproof lock. Still, as long as it deters some intruder long enough to set off the alarm.”
    “I don’t think it’s a burglar. Nothing was missing, as far as we could see. No, it is a deliberate attempt to frighten our Josie. But why? Of all the people I know, she is the most unlikely to have upset somebody. Always polite and helpful with customers, and looks after the needs of the elderly and infirm in the village.”
    “Ah,” said Cowgill.
    “Ah, what?”
    “Nothing. Just ah, that has given me an idea.”
    “Share it, then.”
    “Later, my dear. Not properly formulated. But there is something. Has anybody asked about the flat lately? Most of the village must know it is empty. This could be an elaborate plan to put off future tenants.”
    “Oh, for God’s sake, Cowgill. As if anyone would be that stupid. This is a serious emergency. We don’t want to be waiting for the next thing to find its way into the shop.”
    “Very well. Here is one thing we can try. Why don’t you encourage Gran to spend a few nights in the flat to see how she likes it. She might just notice something out of kilter. Or overhear a helpful conversation, if she leaves the bedroom window open.”
    “Are you out of your mind? Why would I encourage my mother to do something so possibly dangerous?”
    “Because I could arrange for Matthew to be on duty overnight there. No harm would come to Gran, and if there are a few trouble-free nights, it will help Josie to have confidence that nothing more will happen. We can all put it down to a bad practical joke. We’ll find out who practised it, never fear.”
    *
    Lois was amazed at Gran’s reaction. Her face lit up, and she agreed straightaway. “What a good idea, Inspector,” she had said. “It’ll be a kind of dry run for when I move in permanently. And you needn’t bother about Matthew. I am quite capable of dealing with any eventuality. The shop is only a hundred yards from here, and I can alert Lois or Derek at any time. Not that I shall need to. My late husband taught me a very useful left hook!”
    “Right,” said Cowgill, winking at Lois behind Gran’s back. “Shall we start tonight?”
    “Fine,” said Gran. “It’ll be like a little holiday. I shall go upstairs and pack a few night things, and then Lois can come with me to make up a bed and have a dust around. It’s all rather exciting!”
    Lois said that if her mother was absolutely sure about this, then she would of course get one of the girls to have a good clean through the flat and air the bed.
    “No need,” said Gran. “I shall enjoy it. Now, I have some things to see to, so I’ll say goodbye, Inspector. So nice to see you again.”
    “Oh Lor,” Lois said. “How long is she going to keep this up?”
    “She reminds me so much of someone I love dearly,” said Cowgill gently. “And don’t worry, I’ll have someone stationed in the shadows to guard her overnight. We might just catch the villain with a bagful of toads.”

Six

    A lthough she would never have admitted it, G ran was feeling much less confident than she appeared to the others. T he new plan for her to spend a few nights in the flat required her to put a few necessaries in a bag, and suddenly the whole thing seemed too close. F ine, when they had first talked about it, but now, as she packed toothbrush and paste, a clean face flannel and a bar of her special lavender soap, she had a swift shiver of nervousness. S upposing an intruder did come back with another reptile, maybe one of those lizardy things, what would she do?
    Well, she reassured herself, Matthew would be on to him before he got inside the shop. She must tell Josie that she had changed her mind, and would like him to be close by. Another thought struck her. It might be a woman playing these horrible tricks. Someone who worked at the zoo? The police would have talked to everyone on the staff there. But suppose they hadn’t spotted a girl