Christmas Killing by Chrissie Loveday Page B

happy.’
    Ray sat back and thought about the case. Ted had put forward his list of people who could be guilty. Himself, he favoured Bert and possibly his brother Dickie. The latter certainly had a grudge against the store that he knew about. Bert, well he did seem an altogether dodgy character. They had suspected him when his own daughter had been put as the replacement elf. Obviously, he was someone they definitely needed to see again. With a brief sigh, he settled down to do some paperwork that had been piling up.
    ‘Okay if I go now?’ asked Ted just after six.
    ‘Sure thing. Tomorrow, we’ll make a start at the shop and see if Bert has come in. I’d like to be on-site anyway. Make sure all goes well with the re-opening of the famous Grotto.’
    *
    The next morning, they drove to the store and parked. A whole load of new signs were hanging around the entrance.
    Grand Re - opening of our Grotto . Santa will be in his Grotto at nine - thirty .
    Inside, there were lots more small signs and arrows pointing the way towards the Grotto. Already, a crowd was gathering, mostly mums and their little ones. Ray saw Geoffrey Foredyce among the crowds, talking to his customers and looking very smiley. Miss Pringle was also hovering around. She had spent a lot of time yesterday overseeing the cleaners and making sure it was all pristine and ready for the little ones to go in and see Santa.
    ‘Ah, Detective Chief Inspector, Sergeant, nice to see you here. I assume you haven’t come to sit on Santa’s knee?’ This was followed by a series of chortles which Ray found most embarrassing and rather out of place from Miss Pringle.
    ‘Just wanted to make sure all was well. I see you managed to find another Santa.’
    ‘He’s one of our other internal staff. Wasn’t all that willing but a few extra pounds and he’ll be fine. Now, is there anything else you need from me?’
    ‘I’ll be up to see you later. Will you be in your office?’
    ‘Oh yes. I have a lot of work to finish. Unless you need anything now?’
    ‘No I don’t think so. As long as all is well here. We’ll go and see if Bert is here at work today. Or perhaps you’ll know?’
    ‘I’m afraid not. I’m not quite sure why but he’s not turned up again. His daughter’s here though. Matti, come here for a minute,’ she called to the elf.
    ‘What d’ya want?’ she asked rudely. ‘Only I’m sticking close by my friend. Don’t wanna leave her on her own.’
    ‘Where’s your Dad?’ Ray asked without preamble.
    ‘Dunno. Ain’t he in? Downstairs is where he usually is.’
    ‘Evidently not. Did you see him this morning?’
    ‘Nah. I was up and out of the ‘ouse early and didn’t even look for him.’
    ‘And where is that house?’
    ‘Look in my Dad’s file. It’s in there. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m needed back there.’ She turned and scuttled back to her friend.
    ‘Very helpful, I’m sure. I’ll leave it to you Miss Pringle. Perhaps you could let me know when you find out their address. Come on Ted. I don’t think there’s much else we can do here.’
    They strolled through the store and went to the handbag department. The Detective looked at the two girls, Daphne and Marie and watched them working or rather, standing around pretending to look busy. Marie nudged her friend when she saw the two officers and they whispered something before they moved towards them.
    ‘Hallo officers. Can I interest you in one of our handbags? A nice present for your wife?’
    ‘I don’t think so, thank you,’ Ray said.
    ‘Any news yet?’
    ‘Not yet. We’re pursuing our inquiries. Have you had any thoughts? Either of you?’ ‘No, nothing at all. We have been thinking about it all. How terrible it’s all been. What with Jimmy getting murdered too. I understand he was stabbed? Is that right?’
    ‘It is, yes.’
    ‘So, two different methods of murders. Carried out by the same person do you think?’
    ‘As I said, we’re pursuing our