The Poisoning in the Pub Read Online Free PDF Page B

solved, isn’t it?’
    ‘Yes. What was the name of that slimy specimen who managed the pub then?’
    ‘Will something, wasn’t it?’
    ‘Will Maples,’ Carole pronounced with satisfaction at having remembered. ‘Thin, shifty character, wasn’t he? I wonder where he went.’
    ‘As far away from here as he could get. When his bosses found he’d been peddling drugs at the Hare and Hounds they can’t have been best pleased. And what was the name of that
girl with M.E. whose parents lived up here?’
    ‘Can’t remember. Anyway, never mind that.’ Carole was much more interested in the current investigation than in nostalgia for an old case. ‘Tell me what happened this
morning at the Crown and Anchor.’
    Jude gave a quick summary, and got the sniffy response that if Ted Crisp had been poisoning the people of Fethering then his pub deserved to be closed down.
    ‘But it’s not his fault. He and I are both convinced he’s been the victim of sabotage.’
    ‘Oh really, Jude. I think you’re being a little melodramatic. Ted has broken the law and he must face the consequences. It must have been a foul-up in his kitchen. Some
past-their-sell-by scallops must’ve been served up by mistake.’
    ‘That seems very unlikely. He’s used the same supplier for years – their stuff’s always been perfect. And his staff are very reliable.’
    This was treated to a sceptical – ‘Huh. So the place gets inspected tomorrow?’
    ‘Yes. Unless the Health and Safety people delay it yet again.’
    ‘And if something is found to be wrong, what kind of penalties might he be liable for?’
    ‘I don’t know in detail, but Ted talked about a hefty fine. In the worst-case scenario he could be closed down for good.’
    ‘And what would make it a worst-case scenario?’
    ‘I’m not sure. If somebody died from the food poisoning, perhaps?’
    ‘But nobody has, have they?’
    ‘Well, we know you and I haven’t, but the old lady who was carted off to hospital . . . I’ve no idea what’s happened to her.’
    ‘Bettina Smiley,’ said Carole.
    Jude looked curiously at her neighbour. ‘You speak as if you know her.’
    ‘I do. Well, know her in the sense that I know who she is. The way one does know people in Fethering. You nod politely if you see them, but you don’t actually socialize.’
    ‘But I didn’t see you nod politely when you saw her in the Crown and Anchor yesterday.’
    ‘Oh, I did. You didn’t notice because you were up at the bar getting drinks. Yes, I’ve spent quite a few bring-and-buy coffee mornings with Bettina and Alec Smiley . . . even
one in their house.’ In response to her friend’s interrogative expression, Carole went on, ‘For the Canine Trust. You know I’m a member of that.’ She looked down at
Gulliver snuffling contentedly under the table. ‘We dog-owners all know each other. We’re a kind of local Mafia.’
    ‘Oh.’ Then Jude said, ‘But you didn’t say anything when Bettina collapsed.’
    Carole’s pale cheeks reddened. ‘At that moment I was in no condition to say anything.’
    ‘No. Well, do you reckon you know Eric Smiley well enough to ring up and ask how his wife is?’
    ‘Certainly. And since I was there when it happened, it would only be polite for me to make such an enquiry.’
    ‘Do you want to use my mobile?’
    ‘No, thank you,’ said Carole primly. ‘I have my own.’ And she took out the fairly recent acquisition.
    But the call had to be deferred. There was no signal up in Weldisham. So they settled down to enjoy the beautiful setting and their salads. Afterwards they strolled over the Downs, which for
Gulliver was a nirvana of unfamiliar and intriguing smells.
    When they returned to High Tor, Carole called the Smileys’ number from her landline. (She never used her mobile at home – the monthly bills were already expensive enough.) Jude
pieced together most of what was said from the half of the conversation she could hear, but at the end Carole