Murder at the Laurels by Lesley Cookman

forward. ‘You remember, she was the one who phoned you.’
    â€˜Ah. Yes.’ He looked uncertain, but held out his hand. ‘Pleased to meet you.’
    â€˜Well, Eleanor Bridges was her aunt.’
    Libby heard the hiss of Fran’s indrawn breath, and felt herself blushing. Damn. She’d got it wrong again.
    â€˜Really?’ DCI Murray’s eyes brightened. ‘So, tell me, Miss Castle, did you not visit her on her birthday?’
    â€˜No, I went down the next day,’ said Fran, reluctantly.
    â€˜The next day? Had no one told you she was dead?’
    â€˜Um, well, yes. I hadn’t visited her before, so I wanted to see where she’d died.’
    DCI Murray frowned. ‘Bit morbid, wasn’t it?’
    Fran hesitated. ‘Guilt, Inspector,’ she said eventually. ‘I was quite upset.’
    â€˜Hmm.’ He peered at her. ‘Wasn’t your psychic stuff again, was it?’
    Libby stood frozen. Fran wasn’t going to like this.
    â€˜I told you, Inspector. I felt guilty. Mrs Headlam quite understood.’ Fran took Libby’s arm. ‘I think I’d like to go now, Libby.’
    â€˜I may want to speak to you again, Miss Castle. Could you give me a phone number?’
    â€˜She’s staying with me at the moment, Mr Murray,’ said Libby firmly, ‘so you can get in touch with her there. Come on Fran. Goodbye, Inspector.’
    â€˜Fran!’ Charles appeared in front of them as they turned away. ‘Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?’
    â€˜You didn’t want me to come, so why should I tell you?’
    â€˜It wasn’t that.’ Charles looked uncomfortable. ‘I just don’t want you to get involved.’
    â€˜Well, I am involved. The inspector wants to talk to me, so I don’t think you’ve a hope of keeping me out of it, do you?’
    Charles sighed. ‘Don’t be angry with me, Fran. This is bad enough already. I’ve just had the Denvers blaming me for the whole investigation.’
    â€˜That’s ridiculous,’ said Libby. ‘Sorry for butting in, but you had nothing to do with the pathologist’s report, had you? You didn’t ask the coroner to call an inquest?’
    â€˜I know, but they seemed to think our poking about yesterday had something to do with it.’
    â€˜That’s nonsense. We got Libby’s friend Peter to look it up on the internet yesterday. If the deceased isn’t currently being seen by a doctor and there isn’t one to sign the death certificate, the coroner’s officer has to be called, and the coroner will ask for a post mortem. Then if that turns something up, like this one did, there will be an inquest. You might find, though, that they’ll now release the body for burial.’
    â€˜Will they?’ Charles brightened. ‘That would be a relief, wouldn’t it?’
    â€˜There’d still be the investigation,’ said Libby.
    Charles looked at her with distaste.
    â€˜She’s right, Charles.’ Fran patted his arm. ‘Don’t worry about it. It hasn’t got anything to do with you, you weren’t even there when she died.’
    â€˜But I was straight afterwards. And as far as I can see, Barbara’s the only one who could have done it. God,’ he said, shaking his head, ‘this is a nightmare. I don’t like the woman, heaven knows, but to think of that. It’s disgusting.’
    Libby and Fran regarded him thoughtfully.
    â€˜How about lunch, Charles,’ said Libby suddenly. ‘Cheer you up.’
    Fran gave her an incredulous look.
    â€˜If you’re sure?’ Charles looked from one to another. ‘I could use some friendly company.’
    Libby smiled evilly. ‘Then come along with me,’ she said. ‘I know just the place.’

Chapter Eleven
    â€˜ W HAT DO YOU THINK you’re doing?’ whispered Fran.
    â€˜Where are we