Closer to Death in a Garden (Pitkirtly Mysteries Book 10) (20 page)

‘Or is it Neighbourhood Witch?’ whispered Dave, making Jemima laugh, which she didn’t really approve of when such a serious discussion was going on.

Keith laughed too. Surely he couldn’t have heard? But it turned out he hadn’t.

‘That’s old Mrs Armstrong,’ he said. ‘Inspector Armstrong’s mother. She’s very hot on neighbourhood security. Tells us off at regular intervals for not sending foot patrols up her way. Sees suspicious characters at least once a week – including you, Ms Peebles.’

‘That doesn’t mean she isn’t up to no good,’ said Amaryllis stubbornly.

‘It’ll never stick,’ said Keith. He looked round the group. ‘Any more questions?’

‘Why was Mr Anderson talking to Madeleine Blyth-Sheridan on the beach?’ said Jemima, suddenly remembering that panicky morning when she had thought she and Dave would never be able to roam around town freely again. ‘And why did he make those threats?’

‘He was trying to be too clever,’ said Keith. ‘Pretending to get close to her so that he could collect evidence and catch her out. He thought she’d be impressed if he threatened you. He’d become obsessed with the stolen jewels case and just wouldn’t give up on it. He got into trouble with his company and got the sack, but that didn’t stop him. He was asking for trouble.’ He reflected on this for a moment and added, ‘That’s why we don’t encourage people to take the law into their own hands. He should have brought it all to us and moved on.’

‘He might have done if he thought there was any chance of the police following it up,’ said Amaryllis. ‘But that’s all water under the bridge now, of course.’

It wasn’t like Amaryllis to be so conciliatory. The blue sky, sunshine and picnic fare might have had something to do with it. Jemima wondered if they should have a picnic at the end of every case. Not that she actually wanted to be involved in any more murders. She shuddered slightly, and Dave put his arm round her shoulders. His chair rocked slightly on the uneven ground as he did so, but luckily it stayed just about upright.

‘He’s lucky to be alive,’ said Keith.

‘We’re all lucky, on a day like this,’ said Jock McLean, and put a whole fairy cake, sugar flower and all, in his mouth.

THE END

If you enjoyed Closer to Death in a Garden, you might like the others in the Pitkirtly Mystery series:

Crime in the Community

Reunited in Death

A Reformed Character

Death at the Happiness Club

Frozen in Crime

The Queen of Scots Mystery

A Tasteful Crime

The Christmas Puzzle

Death in a Cold Spring