Paper Crafts Club Mysteries Box Set 2 (Books 4 - 8)

By Emily Selby

A smart girl, a nerdy inspector, a dead body, a crafts tool, and a quirky British town full of suspects - whodunnit?

Paper Crafts Club Mystery is a cozy mystery series and this box set includes books 4 - 8:
4: Journals, Jealousy and Jilted Sweethearts
5 - Blades, Betrayals and Broken Ties
6 - Scissors, Siblings and Surprises
7 - Origami, Odium and Old Sins
8 - Paper Lanterns, Pride and Proposals
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Upward Stories
• Release date: May 10, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224259915

Book preview

PAPER CRAFTS CLUB MYSTERIES BOXED SET 2

PAPER CRAFTS CLUB MYSTERIES

EMILY SELBY

Copyright © 2019 by Emily Selby

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Disclaimer:

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organisations, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblances to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

This book and the entire series is set in England and written using British English spelling, punctuation and some vocabulary.

CONTENTS

Journals, Jealousy and Jilted Sweethearts

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Blades, Betrayals and Broken Ties

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Scissors, Siblings and Surprises

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Origami, Odium, and Old Sins

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Paper Lanterns, Pride and Proposals

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Did you enjoy this boxed set?

Also by Emily Selby

About the Author

JOURNALS, JEALOUSY AND JILTED SWEETHEARTS

PAPER CRAFTS CLUB MYSTERIES BOOK 4

CHAPTER 1

Katie Redford zipped up her winter jacket and yanked her handbag over her shoulder. She checked the road, just in case, before crossing to the other side. It was, obviously, empty. This part of Sunny Meadows, a new housing estate in Sunnyvale, was still being built, and very few cars accessed the area.

The newly completed pavements were usually free of pedestrians, which was the reason two figures caught her eye. Wrapped up warm - one tall and of average build, the other short and stocky, they walked along the row of houses towards the still-under-construction commercial section. The shorter one was wobbling from foot to foot, walking slowly, with obvious effort, the taller one looked familiar. Katie strained her eyes.

Wasn't it Linda McKay, her friend from the Paper Crafts Club?

But what was she doing here, away from home, on a Monday morning, walking towards a building site?

'Hello, Linda!' Katie called.

The woman's shoulders jerked, and she ducked her head. But she kept walking.

'Linda?' Katie repeated, confused.

The taller silhouette put her arm around the shorter one as if hurrying her companion up. The other woman increased the pace but stopped after a few steps as if to catch her breath.

The taller person turned towards the shorter one and lowered her head, probably saying something.

The long, pointy chin became clear - it was Linda!

Katie opened her mouth to call out again, but there must have been a reason why Linda chose not to hear Katie's voice.

Katie shrugged and stepped onto the road. She didn't have time to solve that mystery right now. She was in a hurry.

She crossed over from her car to the corner plot at the intersection of Stream Drive and Poppy Crescent - the only inhabited house in this part of the estate. It belonged to Jane and Keith Starr - her cleaning clients. Jane had rung earlier to ask Katie to pick up her online shopping from the supermarket in town. If she wanted to complete her cleaning job before her regular work at the police station, she had to hurry.

Katie rang the doorbell and waited. The tower clock on the St George's church chimed twice. Half past seven.

Jane opened the door. Her long, normally pale face was flushed and her deep-set eyes sparkled.

'Thank you for coming, Katie,' Jane said, a little short of breath. 'I appreciate it. With no delivery slot available this morning and Keith going to work, I don't know how I would have got the shopping done without your help today.'

'No problem. I know you need gluten-free products but I also need the cleaning supplies which I hope you put on the list.'

Jane smiled. 'Yes I have. Please come in. I'm trying to get my customer card for you, but the wallet is very fiddly and the slots are so tight.' Jane sighed.

'Let me help you,' Katie said and followed Jane to the kitchen.

Jane passed her the wallet with her deformed hands, and Katie pulled out the colourful plastic rectangle with the logo of a supermarket chain.

'Do I need anything else?' Katie asked.

'You'd better take the cooler bag. I've ordered some meat and frozen vegetables. Even when it's cold outside, I prefer to keep it safe. It's in the hallway on the top shelf.'

Katie trotted back to the hallway to fetch the bags. Jane followed her slowly.

'I'm sorry about the short notice,' Jane carried on, 'but Keith had to leave earlier this morning. Monday traffic’s bad.'

'That's fine,' Katie replied. 'I've put my daughter in the breakfast club. I start work at 10 am, which should give me enough time to clean the house. Speaking of traffic,' Katie added, 'I’d better hurry to get those groceries before the school run.'

Katie rushed out of the door. Stream Drive looked as peaceful and quiet as a few minutes earlier. Linda and the other woman must have turned into the next street as the pavement ahead was empty.

She jogged across the road and jumped into her Nissan Micro. A few seconds later, she was on her way to the supermarket.

When Katie returned with the shopping, Jane was waiting on the doorstep. She waved at her and put a finger to her lips. Katie took the hint and closed the door to her car quietly. She unpacked the shopping from the boot and carried the bags up the steps.

'Keith had to come back,' Jane said quietly once Katie was within the earshot. 'He's asleep in the living room. He has a bit of a headache and needed to have a lie down.'

'Do you still want me to do the cleaning?' Katie asked.

'Yes, please. Just try to be quiet,' Jane replied and moved aside to let Katie in. They walked to the kitchen in silence.

'I thought you were going to work.' Katie unzipped the cooler bag and took out the frozen foodstuffs.

'Oh, I've tried, but it's frustrating,' Jane replied, slowly lowering herself onto the bench by the window. 'I’m still training the software with my voice, and sometimes I get so angry, I shout at the computer. Trouble is, I don't want to wake up Keith. I'll just lie down and read the manual for a little while. I'll try again later when he feels better and you're done with the cleaning.'

Katie nodded.

'How is your new job going?' Katie asked, pushing the packets of green peas and beans into the freezer drawer.

'Very slowly. I need to get the speech-to-text software used to my voice and accent. It’s still producing a lot of errors, but I'm happy that Keith finally agreed for me to return to work and buy this thing. With the progress of my arthritis, it's the only way I can write.'

'Is it expensive?'

'It was a considerable investment, I must say. Why are you asking?'

'My boss has been changing my job description, expanding my responsibilities. He wants me to provide admin support for the entire team. Part of it is transcribing police reports and interviews. I don't enjoy doing it, I'm always scared I'll make too many mistakes. I was wondering if investing in dictation software would be a better idea.'

'How many people do you normally transcribe for? The software needs to learn the speech pattern of every person who uses it.'

'That sounds like a considerable time investment. I don't know if it would work,' Katie said.

To make matters worse, the person who most recently used her transcribing help, DI Jack Heaton, wasn't even part of Sunnyvale police force.

The conversation reminded her Jack hadn't texted her since his message from Tokyo airport the day before. He must have arrived back into the country by now. Katie hadn't seen him for nearly three weeks, and she’d missed him. Not that she’d tell him so. Well, maybe.

Katie loaded the last bag of frozen vegetables into the freezer and carefully closed the door. She strolled back to the hallway to pick up a second bag of groceries. Once she was out of Jane's sight, Katie dug her mobile from her handbag and checked it.

There was a message from Jack! She hadn't heard the ping. He must have texted her while she was driving.

'Landed in Newcastle. Happy to be home. Will give you a ring later today.'

A wave of warmth spread through her chest. They still hadn't been on the date he had invited her on after they'd solved Jeff Livermore's murder. Unfortunately, before they had time to arrange a date and location, Jack had to fly to Japan - his brother's baby arrived earlier than expected.

Katie sneaked back into the kitchen. Jane heaved herself to her feet from the bench.

'I'll help you unpack those groceries,' Jane said, wincing against the pain.

'Oh, don't worry,' Katie replied. 'You go and rest, and I'll put it all away.'

'Thank you, Katie. If you don't know where something goes, leave it on the worktop. Keith can put it away later. Please clean the kitchen first, then the bathroom, our bedroom and then the hallway. Leave the living room until last. I'll be resting in the office.'

'Do you need me to clean the office as well?'

'No, no need for that. Keith and I cleaned it on Saturday.'

'No problem. I'll be as quiet as I can. And I’ll leave the hoovering for last.'

Jamie shuffled out of the kitchen and Katie got on with her work. Smooth, quiet, working on autopilot, she was engrossed in her thoughts imagining all sorts of lovely romantic scenarios for her dinner date with Jack. She barely noticed when she finished cleaning the hallway. She pressed the handle on the door to the living room and froze hearing the dry crack.

'Oh,' she said softly. 'I forgot.'

Katie let go of the handle, listening for signs of Keith being awake. But the house was quiet. She tiptoed to the office. The door was open. Jane was sitting in her armchair reading a large book.

'Jane?' Katie asked quietly. 'It's 9.10, and if you want me to clean the living room, I’ll have to get on with it now.'

Jane's head jerked up.

'I'll wake up Keith. He's been asleep for over an hour now. Hopefully, he's feeling better. He should go to his parents' office: they’re expecting him.'

Jane climbed to her feet, steadied herself and shuffled across the room to the hallway. Katie followed her. Despite her frail gait, Jane's tall, slender silhouette wrapped in a long, floral dress looked quite graceful, almost as if she was floating above the floor.

The living room was quiet and smelled stale. Tiny particles of dust whirled in the rays of sunlight slanting through the window. It was going to be another sunny December day. A nice change after a rain-filled October and November.

'Keith, are you all right, baby?' Jane called out from the door, her voice clear. Her husband’s body was lying face down, without a cover. He must have been freezing!

There was no reply. Jane took a couple of steps towards the sofa.

'Keith, can you hear me?' Jane called a little louder.

Katie hesitated. 'Maybe he needs a little more sleep?' she asked quietly. 'Just let him be. I can finish cleaning after work.'

'Oh, no!' Jane said nervously. 'He should be awake now.' She took another step forward and wobbled. Katie jumped to catch her, but Jane stabilised herself.

'I'm fine,'' she said, pushing Katie's hands away. 'I wonder why Keith is...' Her voice trailed off.

Katie stared at the body on the sofa. She fixed her eyes on his back. Was it not moving, or was it just her imagination?

'Mr Starr,' Katie called, her voice trembling. An image seen only four weeks earlier in the storage room of the community centre flashed through her mind. The same eerie feel surrounded the scene. Katie's heart hammered.

'I have to check him, I'm sorry,' Katie croaked. She crossed over to the sofa and touched Keith’s shoulder.

'Mr Starr are you all right?' she called again squeezing his shoulder and pulling it toward her.

Keith's head flipped to the side, revealing a pale, waxy face, with purple lips and closed eyes. Lifeless.

Katie's face went numb. She squatted beside the sofa and grabbed the man's wrist, checking for a pulse.

She found none.

'Is he all right?' Jane cried, her voice brimming with anxiety.

Katie took a deep breath and gulped. She lifted her head and looked at Jane. She locked her gaze on Jane's doe-like watery-blue eyes.

'We need to call the emergency number,' she said slowly, climbing to her feet.

'He was perfectly fine when he left this morning,' Jane said softly.

How was she going to convey her discovery to this poor woman who looked as though she was going to collapse any second?

'Let's go to the office,' she said and grabbed Jane's elbow, pushing her gently towards the door. Away from the body.

Lord above.

She’d found another dead body.

CHAPTER 2

Katie was torn. Unlike with the previous murder victims she’d discovered, there was nothing obvious indicating that Keith Starr had been murdered. No bullet wounds, no stabbing tools sticking out of his neck, no blood splatter. Moreover, according to Jane, he’d been alive about an hour earlier. Maybe he needed an ambulance, not a police van?

But then she had seen dead people before and she couldn't shake the impression that Keith was, even now, beyond medical help.

She would call and ask for both, an ambulance and the police. But how was she going to do that without alarming Jane? Or without leaving her on her own. After all Jane had been the last person to see Keith alive.

Jane's cold fingers clasped Katie's arm.

'I'm so weak. Can you call the ambulance for Keith? Please? I beg you...' Katie could feel the freeze of Jane’s fingers even through the sleeve of her cardigan.

'Don't worry. Sit in the armchair in the office, and I'll call the–the emergency number,' Katie stammered gently, guiding Jane towards the armchair in the office.

She sneaked out into the hallway, leaving the door slightly ajar and fished her phone from her pocket, darting her eyes between the screen and Jane.

'Hi, it's Katie Redford. I'm at Stream Drive number–' she paused as she couldn't recall the number. She glanced at Jane who was sitting with her eyes closed. Her body looked floppy. Jane’s long and lank curls stuck to her face, making her appear even more like a scared Madonna.

'What's your house number?' Katie asked.

Jane grimaced. She opened her eyes and looked at her blankly.

'I can't remember, but...' she pushed herself off the armchair with a visible effort. 'I have it written somewhere here.' She crossed to the filing cabinet in the opposite corner, just behind the door. And before Katie could do anything about it, Jane pushed the door closing it almost completely.

'I'm sure I've got a letter here,' Jane said, her voice trembling. Katie step forward and pushed the door with her arm, but it didn't move.

'Hang on,' Katie said to the operator. 'I'll get it shortly.'

'I'm behind the door, Katie. It's somewhere here.'

Katie stood, immobile, listening to some rustling and Jane's quick breath.

'It's number 78, Stream Drive.'

Katie repeated the address to the emergency operator. She pushed the door open again as Jane shuffled back across the room with a letter in her hand. As soon as Jane slid back into the armchair, her body shuddering, Katie stepped backwards.

'It's the first house on the new estate, going from Meadowbank Road, pale orange colour, with a green Nissan Micra in front of it,' Katie said into her phone.

'Do you need an ambulance, madam?'

'I need an ambulance and the police. Quick.'

'Are you safe?'

'Yes, we are.'

She gave a few more details, automatically responding to the operator’s efficient questions. She felt lightheaded and spaced out. Even though it wasn't the first time she’d reported a suspicious death, it still didn't come easy.

She disconnected the call and glanced towards Jane, her throat dry as paper. 'They'll be here soon,' she croaked.

Jane's eyelids jerked open. Her face winced. She was almost as waxy and pale as Keith. Her lips were parted and trembling.

'Is he all right? Can you help him? Please, Katie!'

'I'm sorry, Jane; I can't. But I've called for help.'

'I'm feeling sick. Can you bring me a glass of water, please? I need to take my medicine.' She looked at Katie, her eyes even bigger and rounder now. Tears streamed down her face.

Katie's throat tightened. Should she leave Jane on her own to get a glass of water?

'Are you sure a glass of water will be enough? Do you want me to bring your medicine box?'

'I've got them all here. I'll get them in a second.'

She was being overly suspicious. Jane looked genuinely unwell.

'Back in two ticks,' Katie said and rushed into the kitchen.

This was the first time Katie had to deal with this sort of situation after finding a body, and she had no clue what to do. Having said that, if either of this couple were to murder the other one, it should have been the other way around. Yes, however much Katie was trying not to think about it, Keith had given her the creeps, not Jane. And Jane seemed like a perfect murder victim.

On the way back with the filled glass, Katie unlocked the front door. She didn't want to risk another trip out of the office before help arrived. When she walked into the office, Jane was squatting by the filing cabinet. In one jump Katie was by her side. She put the water glass on top of the cabinet and grabbed Jane by the elbow.

'Are you alright?' Katie asked.

'Yes, yes...' Jane croaked. 'I've just dropped the pill. I can't find it. I'll get another one.'

Katie helped Jane back into the armchair. She passed her the medicine box, which was on the desk beside the armchair. Jane fumbled through the pills and pulled one out.

A siren wailed outside the house.

Katie pushed the glass of water into Jane's hand.

'Drink,' she said through her tightened throat.

A short while later, the doorbell chimed.

'Hello, anybody in there? It's the ambulance!' A male voice cut through the silence.

'It's open; come in!' Katie answered.

Bother, she still had to instruct the paramedics! Katie jumped to her feet and ran from the room, leaving the office door wide open. Her head jerking between Jane and the two paramedics who’d rushed into the hallway.

'He’s in the living room,' Katie waved her hand towards the right door. 'But I have his wife here. She's not very well and may need help.'

The paramedics looked at each other and one of them hurried along the hallway towards Katie, whilst the other one trotted into the living room.

Still keeping an eye on Jane, Katie gestured to the paramedic to follow her. The moment he knelt beside Jane, the other one called out from the living room.

'Hello there?'

Katie jumped and rushed back into the hallway.

'How can I help?' she asked through the living room doorway.

'I think you need to call the police,' the guy replied.

Another siren yelped outside.

'They're here,' she said relaxing her shoulders.

She opened the door, relieved to see the familiar patrol car of the local cops. And even more relieved, if not outright delighted, when she saw the friendly face and broad shoulders of Sergeant Chris Fox, her colleague and long-term friend.

'This way Chris,' she beckoned. Chris hurried up the path and into the hallway.

'Who is it?' he asked quietly as he gave Katie’s arm a comforting pat.

'Keith Starr,' she said, her voice trembling. 'He's in there.' She pointed him towards the living room.

It all took fifteen minutes, maybe a little longer. The paramedics took care of Jane and, apparently, apart from the shock, she was fine, but they called her doctor anyway.

Chris emerged from the living room, his temples glistening.

'You've got a real talent, lass,' he mumbled at Katie, who was leaning against the wall in the hallway. 'I've secured the scene. The forensics team, including the medical examiner, are on the way.'

Katie nodded. 'Murder?' she asked as quietly as she could.

Chris wiped his forehead with the back of his hand. 'At least a suspicious death, I'd say.'

'Why are you on your own?' Katie asked, surprised no one had joined Chris.

'We're short-staffed today. There was an RTI, involving a lorry and a few cars on the dual carriageway. We've sent a team to help clear it. How’s the wife?'

'In shock,' Katie replied. 'What do you want us to do?'

'You need to leave. We'll take you to the station to deal with the interviews and everything.'

'Will you tell her?' Katie jerked her chin toward the office.

Chris grimaced. 'Suppose I have to.' He strode into the office, his shoulders tense. Katie knew Chris well. Although a great guy and an experienced policeman, dealing with crying women wasn't his forte. And, despite not knowing Jane that well, Katie suspected there was going to be plenty of crying, for sure.

With both paramedics still by Jane's side, the office was crowded. Chris leant against the filing cabinet, which wobbled and the floor underneath it squeaked. Katie winced. She hadn't noticed any of the floors squeaking before. After all, the house was new and built to good standards. She'd paid close attention to the quality of the construction as she had been hoping to buy a place for her and Julia here one day – when she earned more than her paltry income as a part-time police clerk and a freelance cleaner.

'I'm very sorry to inform you, Mrs Starr, but your husband is dead. Since it isn’t clear what caused his death, we need to investigate it,' Chris said.

Jane shuddered; a sharp sob pierced the air. One of the paramedics put his hand on her shoulder and tried to calm her.

Chris waited until the sobs quietened a little and briefly explained the term ‘suspicious death’ and the procedure resulting from it.

Jane sobbed even louder. She covered her face with her hands. Her long hair spilled over her face and onto her shoulders.

'Keith, Keith... I love you so much. Keith, please don't die!'

The paramedics exchanged glances.

'She's in shock and not taking it in. Hardly surprising in the circumstances. But she’s medically stable,' the older one said. 'We can't help much, but it wouldn't hurt to get her to see her doctor. We can't help much with the husband either, so if it’s all right with you, we’ll leave that to your forensic team. We've got to go.'

They stood up and walked out of the room.

Chris looked at Katie, desperation in his eyes.

'Katie, you know Mrs Starr, can you please help?'

Katie knelt beside Jane. She put her hand on her shoulder.

'Jane, can you hear me?'

Jane nodded through the sobs.

'We've got to leave the house and talk to the police. We've got to help them find out what's happened. Can you do it?'

Jane inhaled sharply and nodded.

'Will you come with me?' she asked.

Katie glanced at Chris. Relief flooded his face.

'Yes,' he said. 'It'd be very helpful. 'You can sit together in the back of the patrol car. Katie, I’ll arrange to drop you back here later to collect your Micra. The forensic team will be here any minute.'

'Jane, don't worry. I'll be with you all the way,' Katie reassured Jane.

'Get the medicine box, her phone, her purse, whatever else she may need,' Chris instructed. 'And give it to me for safe keeping.'

She helped Jane stand from the armchair and helped her collect all the necessary items, as instructed.

They were ready just as the medical examiner and the forensic team swarmed in.

Katie helped Jane to the car, while Chris had a chat with the officer in charge. Once they were all out of the house, with Jane installed in the back of the car, Chris closed the door and pulled Katie to one side.

'You understand,' he said quietly, his freckled face serious. 'The two of you are the suspects. I know you're going to say-'

'I'm going to say: don't assume anything,' Katie interrupted him. 'We're both innocent until proven guilty. But I also know you need to follow the process.'

Chris nodded. 'Exactly and by the way, I've just heard that your fav- er... DI Heaton is on his way.'

Katie's heart flipped, even though she knew that sooner or later he would be heading here. She wanted to stay on and see him again, but procedure was procedure.

'Let's get it over and done with,' she said and climbed into the car to join whimpering Jane.

CHAPTER 3

Fortunately, the trip to the police station was quick, as Katie was beginning to feel awkward sitting next to the weeping Jane, who kept tugging at Katie's sleeve and mumbling.

'Tell me, he's going to be all right, please, tell me, he'll be all right.'

For the first few times, Katie tried to find a gentle way to remind Jane Keith was dead, but then she gave up and just tried to soothe her.

'You'll be fine, Jane. Just keep breathing slowly and steadily.'

It was surreal: on one hand Katie could understand Jane's shocked reaction, on the other - she couldn't shake off the suspicion and the what-if. She vividly remembered the conversation with Dorothy from a few weeks earlier about the Starrs. That was when she had first had a bad feeling about the couple, but she did feel sorry for Jane. And now, she was sitting next to the poor woman, wondering what had happened between Keith leaving the house and Katie finding him dead on the sofa.

When they reached the station, Chris took them through the back door into the interview room. It took a good few minutes of soothing reassuring and a cup of tea brought by Chris to get Jane let go of Katie's arm and sit down. Jane sipped the tea, whimpering, while Katie rubbed her back standing beside her.

A while later, Jack walked in. He was still wearing a dark winter jacket, which, unzipped, revealed a rare sight for him - a casual, navy blue jumper and a pair of jeans.

'Good morning,' he said, his voice throaty. His face was serious, but he acknowledged Katie with a nod and a glint in his eye.

After a short introduction and condolences addressed to Jane, he proceeded with the interview.

'Mrs Starr, I understand this is a very hard time for you, but I need to ask you a few questions.'

Jane lifted her head and glanced at Katie.

'What does he want?' she whispered.

'He wants to ask you some questions about Keith and this morning,' Katie explained. 'And probably also last night.'

'I didn't do anything.' Jane's eyes brimmed with tears.

'You need to tell him that,' Katie nudged.

'Can't you tell him?'

'I wasn't there, remember? I went out to get your shopping.'

'Ahh.' Jane sighed.

'Mrs Starr,' Jack said. 'This won't take long.'

'You'll be with me, right?' Jane croaked, still looking at Katie and clinging onto her arm again.

Katie moistened her lips. She was keen to get away from the clasp of Jane's arm, but she had to admit, being present during the interview had its own appeal. Katie glanced at Jack.

'Do you want me to leave?'

Jack rubbed his chin. He hadn't even had time to shave, and now in the harsh light of the interview room, he was showing clear signs of jetlag: drooping lids, red eyes and dark circles underneath them.

'Mrs Starr,' he addressed Jane. 'I would prefer to talk to you without the other witness present. However, I can see you're in a distressed state. Would it be easier if Katie stayed with you while I'm talking to you?'

Jane lifted her face and looked at him, pleading. 'Yes please,' she said.

Jack pulled up a chair for Katie. She was grateful for that, as her body was aching from all the tension and Jane's clinging. His hand brushed her back as he guided her to the chair, and the simple gesture sent a pleasant tingling down her spine. She shrugged it off, ordering her mind to focus on the interview. She slid onto the chair. Jack sat on the other side of the table with his black notebook in his hand.

'Mrs Starr,' he addressed the woman again. 'Could you tell me, how old was your husband?'

'He's thirty-four.'

Strange how she refused to talk about her husband in the past tense.

'Did he suffer from any health problems?'

'No. He's well.'

'No medication? Any drugs or alcohol?'

'No. Fit and healthy. It's me who's crooked. He looks after me. He always says that he needs to stay well so he can take care of me.'

Jack ran his hands through his short dark hair, making himself looked even more ruffled.

'Tell me about this morning. What time did he get up? What did he do afterwards?'

'He woke up around seven o'clock. I always hear him get up, but I stay in bed for a little longer. He got showered, dressed, and left the house maybe fifteen or twenty minutes later. He was going to Carlisle for work. He helps his father run the company and today is the day for him to go to the office.'

'Did he drive?'

'I don't know if he managed to drive anywhere. I think he might have gone for a coffee first, to the café nearby. He likes taking his coffee over there. It's a new place but it reminds him of his favourite coffee down in Leeds.'

'What's the name of the café?"

'I don't know. This is only one. Around two hundred yards away from our house, on the corner. Just opposite the building site. I think it's opened recently.'

'We'll check the place,' Jack said and scribbled something in the notebook. 'So, he didn't have anything to eat or drink in the house this morning?'

'I'm not sure, she replied hesitantly. Were there any dishes in the sink, Katie?'

Katie closed her eyes to bring up the image.

'The dishwasher was fully loaded with clean dishes from last night, I gather. I unloaded it, but I don't recall seeing anything in the sink except maybe a glass.'

'I always have a glass of water with lemon when I wake up,' Jane rushed to explain. 'I didn't have any breakfast as we ran out of gluten-free products. I was waiting for Katie to bring the groceries.'

'Do you remember what time your husband left the house?'

'It might have been about 7.20. It was shortly before Katie arrived the first time. I got up after he left knowing I had to get ready for Katie. What time did you come in?' Jane turned her face to Katie.

'About 7.30. I heard the tower clock chime.'

'I'm going to talk to you separately, Katie,' Jack glanced at Katie.

She nodded in acknowledgement.

'He went out and then returned, is that correct?'

'Yes. He came back home saying he had a bit of a headache. I think he might have mentioned nausea, but I didn't hear him throw up or anything.'

'What time was it?'

'I'm not sure. It was a few minutes before Katie came back.'

'What time was it?' Jack addressed Katie again.

'About ten past eight.'

'So, Mrs Starr, your husband was out between 7.20 and around 8 am, probably having a coffee. What happened when he came back in?'

'He said he was going to have a lie down.'

'Did he take anything, like a drink or medicine?'

'I'm not sure, but I don't think so. I was in the office. I've started easing myself back to work a little recently. That's why we've got Katie to help with the housework. You see, Inspector, my health is quite poor, and I have mobility problems. I get tired very easily. That's why I tend not to move around a lot. When my husband returned home I didn't move from the desk. I heard him walking in. He shouted that he didn't feel very well and that he was going to have a lie down. I think he probably went straight to the living room.'

'Did you, at any point, go to check on him?'

'No. I didn't leave the office until Katie... Katie...' Her voice trailed off.

'What time was it?'

Jane raised her eyes at Katie again. Her lips were trembling. Katie stifled the feeling of resentment growing in her. Couldn't Jane remember anything? Katie clearly told her what time it was!

'It was about 9.10 am, Inspector.' Katie gave Jack a brief summary of Jane's request to avoid the living room and stay quiet. 'By then, I had everything done except the living room and the vacuuming. We entered the living room together.'

Jack nodded. He stared at Jane again.

'Mrs Starr, I know it must be hard for you, but I need you to describe what happened when you walked into the living room.'

Jane's hand tightened on Katie's arm again. Katie pressed her lips together. If Jane continued like that, she’d leave some bruises on Katie’s arm, for sure.

'He was there, on the sofa, looking like he was asleep. Will he be alright?' Her voice broke into sobs again, and Katie took over. She described the body, the pale waxy complexion and the purple lips.

Jack nodded again, his face difficult to read.

"Mrs Starr, what did you have for dinner last night?'

'Keith prepared it as usual. He had roast chicken with vegetables and rice. I only had a little meat and vegetables.'

'You ate the same things? What did he have to drink?'

'Yes, same food, except for the rice. We just drank water with it. He had a glass of beer after dinner. I don't think he had anything else to eat or drink afterwards.'

'Did he behave normally?'

'Absolutely, Inspector. Last night, he was his normal self, and he seemed the same this morning when he left the house.'

'Do you have any grounds to suspect this might have been a suicide?'

Jane pressed her trembling lips so hard, they formed a pale line. She shook her head. 'Never, Inspector. Keith and I are Christians. Suicide goes against our beliefs.'

'Did you receive any communication from him once he left the house.'

'No. He normally texts me once he arrives at work, so I don't have to worry.'

'Are you absolutely sure he didn't take any painkillers or anything else?'

Jane inhaled loudly. Katie braced herself for another wave of sobs, but fortunately it didn't come.

'I think he went straight for the sofa. The medicine cabinet is in the bathroom. Unless he had something on him, I wouldn't think so.'

'Did he use any drugs?'

'No, Inspector. We are both against drugs and alcohol abuse.'

'Can I see your medicine box?'

Jane's face turned ash-grey again. 'There is nothing illegal there, Inspector,' she said in a trembling voice.

'I'd like to see it and if possible your prescriptions.'

'It's all in the carrier bag,' Katie informed him.

Jack leaned across the table and rummaged through the contents of the carrier bag for a while before opening the medicine box.

'Please, don't do anything with it,' Jane wailed. 'I need my medicines. My doctor can tell you.'

'Don't worry, Mrs Starr,' Jack said calmly. 'I shall consult with your doctor. In fact, I'll see if we can get her to come over very shortly.'

As soon as he closed the box and pushed it to one side, Jane's shoulders relaxed.

Jack left the carrier bag on the table and leaned back in his chair.

'Did your husband have access to your medicine box?'

'Of course he did. He prepared the pills for me every Sunday night. The whole box for the coming week,' Jane explained, still shaking.

'Has he ever used any of your painkillers?'

'Not that I know of. As I said before, he is a healthy man.'

'Were you on good terms with your husband?' he asked her.

'Of course, Inspector. Keith is absolutely caring and lovely.'

'Was there any conflict between him and anyone else?'

'Not that I know of. His parents were delighted when we moved closer to them. It was to-' Jane hesitated. Katie glanced at her. Her temples glistened, her lips were trembling. She moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue. 'We moved to Sunnyvale to be closer to his parents, so Keith could help them run their business.'

Jack closed his notebook.

'Thank you, Mrs Starr. It's been very helpful. Do you have any family or friends locally?'

'No. They're all in Leeds.'

'We can call them for you,' Katie offered. 'Do you have the numbers?'

'I don't want to worry them... I'm sure one once Keith is feeling better...'

A large knot tightened around Katie's stomach. She couldn't take it any longer.

'Jane, look at me,' she said firmly and put a free hand on Jane's arm giving it a gentle squeeze. 'Keith is dead. We need you to tell us who we can call for you. You need your family. You need somewhere to stay. The police are treating his death as suspicious, and you cannot go back to your house right now.'

'But - but I need Keith. I need my medication.'

'You've got it in the bag, remember? And your doctor will come to see you soon as well. I'll call your family for you if you give me their numbers.'

'Okay,' Jane said, her voice wooden. 'Only my sister, not my parents, okay? I don't want to worry them. My phone’s in my handbag.'

Katie glanced at Jack, seeking conformation she was allowed to do that. He nodded.

Katie handed Jane her handbag. Jane found the mobile and fumbled through it until she found the number and pressed it.

'Sarah, it's Jane,' she whispered into the phone. 'Can you please come over as soon as possible? Something happened to Keith and I can't go back to the house.'

Seeing that the conversation wasn't going to progress unless someone less upset took over, Katie gently pried the phone from Jane's hand.

A couple of minutes later she handed the phone back to Jane.

'Your sister will be here this afternoon. Until then, you can stay here...' Katie glanced at Jack to check if this was okay with him. He nodded. 'Once your sister arrives, she'll help you find somewhere nice to stay.'

'Will you stay with me until Sarah arrives?'

Katie gulped. Her arm was sore and burning, and so was her throat. All she wanted was to get out of there, have a hot drink and think about what had happened.'

She glanced at Jack, hoping he'd ask her to talk to him in another room.

He gave her a curt nod.

'I need to talk to you, Katie. Now.'

Katie put her hand on Jane's shoulder. 'I can't stay with you right now, I'm sorry,' she said. 'But I'll come back to check on you soon.'

She pulled her hand away before Jane had a chance to grab it again.

'I'll make you a cup of tea, though.'

CHAPTER 4

Jack must also have been quite keen to leave the room as he sneaked out after her.

The staffroom was empty. Chris was with Jane in the interview room and whoever else was working that morning, must have been still out.

'I need a coffee,' Jack said. 'It's the jetlag. Would you like some, too? '

Katie flipped the switch on the kettle.

'No, I've had my dose of adrenaline this morning. And I'll make a cup for Jane.'

'Is she always like that?' Jack asked as he fiddled with the coffee machine.

'I don't know her very well,' Katie replied, preparing cups and tea bags. 'I've only worked for them since early November. Today was my third time. They wanted me to help every other week.'

'How long have they lived in Sunnyvale?'

'They moved here this summer. June or July.'

'Any local gossip?'

Katie reached for the milk in the fridge. She cast her mind back. Apart from a brief conversation with Dorothy Ravencroft, she hadn't talked to anyone about the Starrs.

'Not much, to be honest. But I'll ask around, for sure.'

The kettle switched itself off as the water boiled. Katie filled the cups.

'That would be appreciated, as always,' he said. 'I'll talk to you when you get back from the tea trolley service. Please don't stay there too long.'

Katie chuckled.

'Are you longing to see me?' she asked before she realised what just left her mouth. Her cheeks burnt, and the heat quickly spread down to her neck.

A sparkle appeared in Jack's blue eyes and the corner of his mouth arched upwards.

'Well, to be perfectly honest, I do. But for now, I just want to get on with the investigation,' he said in his smooth baritone.

Katie buckled her knees to prevent them from turning cotton candy again.

'And I want to help poor, upset Jane.' Katie put a cup on the tray. Jane didn't take milk or sugar in her tea. 'I bet Chris isn't very happy staying with her. Do you have anybody else so you can release him?'

'Chris needs to learn how to cope with crying women,' Jack replied. 'Hasn't he had to deal with any in his life?'

'No, he's been quite lucky,' Chris's voice cut in from the door. Jack and Katie snapped their heads in his direction. 'He is happily married to a happy-go-lucky girl and has two boys,' Chris carried on. 'Any chance of a cuppa for an emotionally exhausted cop?'

'Jack's making some coffee, or you can make yourself some tea,' Katie replied holding the tray and carefully strolling towards the door.

'Is she on her own?' Jack asked, a note of alarm in his voice.

'No, I pulled Constable Rebecca Boris in with her. She just returned from patrol.'

'Well, as long as she's got someone with her, I'm not fussed,' Jack said and opened the door for Katie. "And while you’re here, can you please ring the doctor’s surgery and check when they are coming. Mrs Starr looks like she needs some medical attention.'

'I'll do that, sir.'

Keen to avoid another wrestling match with Jane and discharge the duty of presenting her version of the morning’s events, Katie passed the tray to Rebecca and reassured Jane she would be back later, all just by the door. Once done, she sneaked back into the staffroom.

Chris was on the phone talking to the doctor apparently, while Jack was sitting at the desk, with a steaming cup in front of him and his notebook open.

Katie grabbed her cup from the counter.

'Ready?' he asked her.

'Yes. I've already reported some of the details.' Katie briefly explained the situation with Jane's shopping. 'What else would you like to know?'

'I understand you were at the house at 7.30 and left a few minutes later?'

'Probably a couple of minutes,' Katie corrected.

'You then returned about 8.05. Did you notice anything or anyone suspicious around the place?'

'No. I didn't pay much attention, to be honest. I was keen to get the card from Jane and collect her shopping before the rush hour.'

'Which way did you drive in?'

'When I arrived the first time, I drove through the new estate.' Katie paused to recall the name. 'I mean, Sunny Meadows. It was still quite grey outside. I probably should have seen Mr Starr walking to the café, but to be honest, I didn't pay much attention. The road bends quite sharply there and I concentrated on the road rather than the sides.'

Jack nodded.

'Anything or anyone unusual on the road.'

Katie shook her head. 'When I left for the supermarket, I drove right ahead, towards the Meadowbank Road, which is a sort of a back way. And I returned from the same direction. If you remember, there isn't that much along Stream Drive between the Starrs' house and Meadowbank Road. I didn't see any cars until I reached Meadowbank Road.'

'I see. You first saw him on the sofa, dead?'

'That's right.'

'Was there anything different about her and the house?'

Katie chewed on her lip. 'Not that I can think of. She seemed a little short of breath when she opened the door for me, but then, walking is an effort for her,' she replied and paused. 'Do you know already how he died? He looked quite...' she didn't finish her thought not knowing how to express it. Saying quite dead didn't sound right.

'We need an autopsy and a formal forensics report. I wanted to talk to her before the worst of the jetlag hits me, so I didn't stay at the scene too long. I need to go back there once the team have secured everything. Anyhow, from what I've got so far I think he must have died about between 8:15 and 8.30.'

'His lips were purple,' Katie said slowly, shuddering at the image of Keith Starr's lifeless body. 'How do you think he died? With the emphasis on your opinion now.'

Jack took a deep breath and then released it.

'Okay, you're asking me for my opinion, and it's off the record. I only saw the body briefly but both me and the Medical Examiner think he consumed a large quantity of morphine or something similar. His pupils were very narrow and he probably asphyxiated or choked on something.'

'That's why you asked about drugs?'

'Yes. Have you noticed anything like that around house?'

'I've never seen anything while cleaning, and they don't appear to be that type of couple. I mean, to be more evidence-based, I haven't seen anything suspicious around the house. Fair enough, she has a couple of boxes full of medicines, including painkillers. Morphine is a pain killer, right?"

'That's right. And according to her prescription, she has something similar in her pillbox.'

Katie gasped.

'Could she have given it to him when he came back complaining of a headache?'

'To answer that question, I need autopsy results. But this stuff takes a while to kick in. Twenty - thirty minutes at least.'

Katie tucked an unruly strand of hair behind her ear and started to twirl it.

'If anything, it must have happened before I arrived with the shopping. So, let’s say she gave it to him at 8 am. The stuff started to work around 8.20 - 8.30,' Katie paused, with her mouth open. It fitted perfectly!

'Wouldn't he call for help if he started to choke?'

'Not if he was severely sedated. Or if the dose was too strong.'

Katie covered her face with her hands. 'I just can't believe it. I was there, right behind the wall and didn't hear anything. Maybe if I'd gone to her ask if I could-'

'Katie,' Jack interrupted her. 'Please, don't go there. You can't blame yourself for his death. You didn't have a clue what was going on. He might have been dead by the time you arrived. We need more information and the only thing you can do now is to help me find out what's happened.'

Katie tensed her back to hold the wave of shivers flowing over her. Jack was right, the only thing she could do to help Keith Starr was to find his killer and bring him or her to justice.

She took a deep breath and sat up straight.

'The doctor will be here soon, she's also sending a nurse immediately,' Chris said, putting the phone down. 'Do you want me to go back to her? Or do you prefer I do something more important, such as taking samples to the lab, or collecting fingerprints, or chasing some criminals?'

Jack gave Chris a long look. 'I can see you’re extremely keen to get out of this situation, Sergeant Fox, but I need you to help me collect some of the information if possible. We need to do door-to-door in the neighbourhood-'

'They are the only ones living in the immediate vicinity,' Katie cut in.

'But there are building sites. There might have been workers coming or going, or even people driving kids to school going past the café and the house. I also need to talk to the café owner. The victim’s morning cuppa was probably of some importance,' Jack added, with a note of pressure in his voice.

A broad smile lit Chris's face. 'I'll be delighted to help, sir.'

'But I also need someone to stay with Mrs Starr. We need to examine that medication box and her phone. But I'd rather have a medical opinion first. Can you deal with it before you jump to catching criminals?'

'Yes, sir,' Chris sighed, deflated. 'I'll deal with it. Are we treating her as a suspect?'

Katie tensed again. She was torn: Jane was delicate, frail, disabled by her numerous health problems - a victim rather than a murderer. But poisoning someone didn't require physical strength. And Jane, by the looks of it, might have had access to the murder weapon. Unless Keith Starr committed suicide, for some reason.

'At the moment, I'm keeping my mind open,' Jack said simply.

'I'll go and get her stuff, and talk to her doctor, sir,' Chris clicked his heels and walked out.

Jack drained the rest of his coffee and put the cup on the table.

'Changing the subject, Katie,' he said he's voice now warmer. 'Are we still good for dinner on Saturday? I'm sorry it didn't work out earlier, but I did have to take my dad to see his grandson.'

Katie's heart fluttered.

'I know you did,' Katie said hastily. She didn't want him to feel guilty about it. After all, she hadn't come to the Sunnyvale police do on that Monday night, after they wrapped up that mind-bending hi-tech murder case. Yes, Julia was sick, but Katie was more than happy to stay home with her daughter. Just the thought of facing officer Celia Baxter's bizarre behaviour towards her again. 'Assuming this case doesn't get in the way?' she asked.

'Are you suspect again?' he asked with a smile playing on his lips.

'Are you asking me, Inspector?' she fired back. 'How would I know? I haven't touched him, I mean, I did but he was already dead, and not in the way that you...'

'Well, you know I don't trust people, I manage risk, but assuming you are not a suspect in this investigation, are we still good for dinner on Saturday?'

Oh, he wanted a clear answer, she'd give him one!

'Yes, sir. I'm sorry I couldn't come to that evening in the pub...

"No worries, I wasn’t in there for long. I had to go back home because of tiredness. I hope Julia doesn't get sick again.'

'Even if she’s at death’s door, her dad will take care of her. She's at her dad's place this weekend.'

'Sounds like a perfect day for a date,' he said and grabbed his jacket and his favourite black briefcase.

'Now, I have to do some work. In the meantime, I'm sure you've got plenty to do, but when you've got a second, can you check the current gossip, please?'

'Will do, sir,' she replied making a tiny gesture of salute to her forehead, once Jack couldn't see her.

Even though she was still employed only as a clerk, it had sort of become customary that she got involved in the murder investigations in Sunnyvale police station. She didn't mind it at all.

CHAPTER 5

Once Jack was out of the staffroom, Katie grabbed her tea and went to the windowless room called her office. She sat at her desk and sipped her tea.

Jack had asked her to collect some information, but what sort of information? Who from? What on?

Obviously, she should start by finding out more about the victim. As Keith and Jane were quite new to Sunnyvale, they hadn’t developed many social connections locally. The only person Katie remembered ever mentioning them to her was, Dorothy Ravenscroft. Dorothy was usually well-informed and Katie decided to start her investigation with her friend from the Paper Crafts Club.

But what was she going to tell her? Over the past couple of months Katie had been involved in a number of murder mysteries. She’d quickly learned that 'winging it' didn’t work with everybody, and Dorothy was one of the ones it failed with. Katie collected her thoughts. Well, the murder, if this was the case, would soon become the talk of the town, including the fact it was that Katie found the body – again.

She didn't have anything to lose.

She keyed Dorothy's number into her phone. Dorothy didn't answer, but she called back a few seconds after Katie's screen went dark.

'How are you, Katie?' Dorothy greeted her, sounding a little short of breath. 'Sorry I missed your call. I'm at work, slowly getting back into it.'

'You’ll never guess, but I found another body,' Katie said, jumping straight into her story.'

'You're kidding, right?'

'No, never when it when death is involved.'

'You've been a bit of a magnet for various corpses turning up in our quiet town. Who is it this time?'

'Dare to guess? You said you're quite good at mind reading and premonitions.'

'Hum...' Dorothy paused. 'Can you give me a clue? Is it one of your clients again?'

The first murder mystery Katie came across had been that of her best cleaning client, Phyllis Dunbar.

'Actually, yes.'

'Wow. You found Mrs Weatherspoon's missing lodger, or rather his body?" Dorothy exclaimed.

'I didn't know Mrs Weatherspoon had a lodger,' Katie said, confused. 'I've never seen anyone around. Mrs Weatherspoon hasn't said anything about having a lodger. Although that spare locked room would make sense now.'

'You've never seen him because he's missing. But never mind. Obviously, it's not him. Is this the couple who lives on the new estate? What's the name? The woman who looks like a water nymph a breath of wind would knock over and her jealous, control-freak husband?'

Katie winced. This was exactly her first impression of Keith and Jane Starr.

'Yeah,' she said slowly.

'Did he kill her? I knew it was going to happen one day. He was so possessive of her.' Dorothy's voice brimmed with tension.

'Strange we both thought the same way,' Katie said. 'But you're wrong. It was his body I found, not hers.'

There was a silence on the other end of the line.

'What you think, Dorothy?' Katie asked her friend anxiously.

'That's a surprise,' Dorothy said and paused. 'Did she murder him? What did she do? And how? I've seen her in the church a few times. She seems so weak and barely capable of walking. She's always holding onto his arm.'

'I don't know who did what, or if it even was a murder. He came home complaining of feeling tired and sick. He had a nap on the sofa, but he never woke up. Do you know who might have wanted him dead?'

'No idea, Katie love. They've only been in town for a few months. I don't know if they had any friends or enemies. I talked to her when she came to the club meeting, last month. She brought that fancy machine for scrapbooking. She was happy for other people to use it, wasn't she? Seems nice enough, though. Who told her about the club?'

'It was me. I was going to talk to her as well during the session, but I was quite busy helping with the church fete report. It was a bit of a nuisance trying to organise people to come in after we cancelled the regular meeting.'

'I think you and Ally Baker did a really good job. Poor Miriam, she seems to have less and less time and energy for the club. I'm glad we managed to meet in November. It was important and good to have some sort of normalcy return to our club after all that happened. Oh, and by the way, I hope the body you found wasn't anywhere near the crafts room?'

'No, it was at their place. I was cleaning there this morning. By the way,' Katie added, recalling a few comments made by Jane previously. 'I think Keith was sort-of local. His parents have a company in Carlisle; he's been helping them. Do you know anything about it?'

'Starrs, ah yes. Unusual name. I think they work with Harold Bower's company. They are fitters, or something like that.'

The construction company owned by Harold Bower and currently managed by his son, Michael, was one of the biggest enterprises in the area, making the Bowers the richest people in Sunnyvale.

'Ah, that would make sense why the Starrs are living in a house in a row of uncompleted ones. It's a nice, corner plot with a big garden. I remember Jane saying something about wanting a garden.'

'I wouldn't be surprised if Keith Starr got their house at a bargain price from the Bowers.'

'It makes perfect sense now,' Katie said slowly. 'Would Michael Bower know Keith Starr?'

'If not him, Bower senior would. Harold Bower has always had a reputation for taking interest