The Final Curtain Read Online Free PDF

very sensitive nose,’ she continued. ‘I can recognize most perfumes at twenty paces.’ There was humour in her expression as the stiff face smiled. ‘I am surprised that you go for something as traditional as Chanel No. 5 rather than a more contemporary scent.’
    Joanna felt like bowing to her theatrical show off. But it was impressive. This was indeed a sensitive nose. Mrs Weeks was sitting on the other side of the room and Joanna was not in the habit of splashing perfume around. She too smiled. ‘My husband likes it,’ she said. ‘His tastes in perfume are … traditional.’
    Timony’s eyes scrutinized her and Joanna felt uncomfortable, as though she was about to make some other observation, but instead she continued, ‘I have an eye for detail too, Inspector. You understand? I remember where things are and where they should remain, considering that I live alone. My attention to detail can be compared with the continuity girl in the film industry. I am very observant and I have a very retentive memory.’
    The statements were made in a matter-of-fact manner. Joanna got the picture. This woman was explaining to her that her words should be remembered and relied upon. She sat up a little straighter and began her questions. ‘It was dark outside?’
    â€˜It was five o’clock this morning.’ Timony gave Joanna a haughty look. ‘I waited until six before ringing. I had to report it but I imagined the call wouldn’t be welcome in the middle of the night.’
    Joanna nodded. ‘Who’s resident on this property?’
    â€˜Myself.’
    â€˜Doesn’t Ms Tong live here?’
    â€˜Not bloody likely.’ This came from the doorway. ‘I have a life, you know. I live in Ashbourne. I come in four days a week. That’s enough. And it’s Mrs Tong, please.’
    Joanna turned her attention to her. ‘You live with your family?’
    â€˜Not exactly.’
    This provoked a derisive snort from Timony Weeks, which both Diana and Joanna ignored as Joanna continued her questioning of the dogsbody.
    â€˜And your duties include?’
    â€˜More or less everything. Typing, cleaning, shopping, whatever
she
wants.’
    â€˜And the grounds? Who manages those?’
    Her eyebrows lifted. ‘Now there I
do
draw the line. We have a gardener who looks after the land and his wife does cleaning, ironing, et cetera. They come once a week. Usually Tuesdays, which is one of my days off.’
    â€˜Their names?’
    â€˜Frank and Millie Rossington. They live in the town.’
    â€˜And they come one day a week?’
    â€˜Just a morning in the winter and all day through the summer.’
    Joanna looked hard at Diana Tong, wondering what her ‘take’ was on these police call-outs. ‘Have
you
ever seen any evidence of an intruder?’
    Slowly, and with an apologetic glance at her employer, Diana Tong shook her head. ‘Nothing convincing,’ she said, looking away.
    Which put Joanna two steps back. Was this a charade? Should she even
be
here? Had she been misled by Timony Weeks’ apparent lucidity and saneness? She was struggling now. There was just one woman’s word and the intruder lights. ‘Do either of you smoke?’
    Mrs Weeks shook her head while Diana chortled. ‘Ah, I see what you’re getting at, Inspector. You’re trying to … No, of course I don’t smoke. And even if I did, I’d hardly be standing outside the kitchen window at five o’clock in the morning having a sly one, would I? Particularly on a Sunday night when I’m not even here on a Sunday, it being another one of my days off.’
    â€˜I simply wondered whether you might have dropped a butt outside the window at some other time and Mrs Weeks caught a waft.’ She thought again for a moment before addressing both women. ‘If someone was outside here, smoking, then I need to ascertain