LITMIR.BIZ

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leaned the bat up against the wall and took a step back.

      He walked into the hallway with a puff of icy winter air and the smell of frost.

      Gwen held her hand out for his heavy jacket.

      He shook his head. ‘That’s all right.’

      ‘You have to take it off now or you won’t feel the benefit when you go outside.’

      The policeman grinned, instantly looking about ten years younger. ‘That’s what my gran always said.’

      ‘Smart lady,’ Gwen said, hand outstretched.

      Harry shrugged off his coat obediently and handed it to Gwen.

      In the kitchen, Gwen was confused to find the tea bag tin out of the cupboard where it lived and sitting on the counter. Lid off. Either the intruder had got halfway through making himself a cup of tea, or Iris was moving things around. Which was impossible. Gwen put the tin back and poured two strong coffees. She cut thick slices of fruit cake and pretended that her hands weren’t shaking.

      ‘Isn’t it early for cake?’ Harry said.

      ‘Never too early for cake. Anyway, it’s got fruit in it. It’s practically a health food.’

      ‘Well, then.’ Harry took some cake and then said, ‘Can you tell me about the disturbance last night?’

      ‘I don’t want to waste your time,’ Gwen said stiffly, not in the mood for another round of ‘laugh at the loony out-of-towner’. ‘I got a case number last night.’ Gwen turned to look for it.

      ‘I read the report, but I’d like to hear it from you.’ He gave a small smile. ‘If you don’t mind.’

      Gwen frowned. ‘You’re a detective. Isn’t this a bit below your pay grade?’ She gave him a searching look. ‘Quiet day at the office?’

      He smiled that easy grin again and held up his hands. ‘I have a confession to make.’

      Gwen closed her eyes. ‘Don’t tell me you knew my great-aunt.’

      ‘Don’t think so. I do know Cameron Laing though.’

      Gwen frowned, ignoring the flare of excitement that Cam’s name ignited. ‘I don’t—’

      ‘So, when I saw your call on the log, I recognised your name and address and thought I’d better deal with it personally.’

      ‘Oh.’ Gwen didn’t have a follow-up for that.

      ‘Don’t want to give Cam a reason to fall out with me. He buys the drinks,’ Harry supplied.

      ‘Right.’ Cameron Laing the lawyer. Cameron Laing, friend to the local detective inspector. Life was odd.

      ‘So,’ Harry said gently, ‘can you talk me through it?’

      Gwen took a sip of coffee, gathering her thoughts. ‘I woke up. Something woke me up. I guess a noise, although I wasn’t aware of anything clearly. I got up and went downstairs.’

      ‘On your own? That wasn’t sensible.’

      Gwen glowered at him. ‘There are a lot of creepy noises in this house. You want me to call the police every time the radiator burps?’

      Harry waved a hand. ‘Continue.’

      ‘I went downstairs and when I walked into the kitchen, I saw the back door shut.’ She paused, feeling the fear all over again. ‘Someone had just left.’

      ‘No forced entry, so we’re looking at someone with access. How many people have a key to the house?’

      ‘I have no idea.’ Gwen said, feeling stupid. ‘I doubt Iris was in the habit of giving them out, but—’

      ‘Can you show me the keys?’

      Gwen got up and fetched her key ring. It still felt bulky and awkward in her hand and it took her a while to locate the front and back door keys.

      ‘Okay. The front door has a new Yale, but this one,’ he held up the brass back door key, ‘looks vintage.’

      ‘I don’t know who has the key. I know Lily Thomas – my great-aunt’s cleaner – had one, but she left it here.’ Gwen went through to the hallway and picked up the spare key.

      Harry nodded, his phone at his ear. ‘Michael? Got a job for you in Pendleford.’ He paused. ‘Nope. Got to be today. This morning for preference.’ He looked at Gwen. ‘Eleven o’clock okay with you?’

      She nodded, dumbfounded by the way people kept taking charge, bringing her things, helping. It was unsettling.

      Harry collected his jacket. ‘Thank you for the cake. It was very nice to meet you.’

      ‘What’s going to happen about my intruder?’

      ‘Well, we file a report.’

      ‘And?’ Gwen said. ‘Don’t you dust for fingerprints or something?’

      ‘Sometimes,’ Harry said. ‘But it’s not all that easy and, as your intruder had a key, technically we don’t have much of a crime. Entering, but not so much with the breaking.’

      ‘But you’re here. The detective inspector.’

      Harry smiled again. ‘Like I said; you’re a special case.’

      I’ve been called that before, Gwen thought wryly, and she opened the front door for Harry. An icy blast blew straight through her clothes, making her feel suddenly naked. She wrapped her arms around her body. ‘Goodbye then. Thank you for your help.’

      ‘Anything for you, Gwen Harper,’ Harry said with a grin and headed down the path.

      Gwen shut the door, utterly bemused. ‘They’re all crazy around here,’ she said, turning around and leaning against the door. She tried not to wonder what, exactly, Cam had said about her to Harry.

      ‘Prrup?’ the cat said, looking as innocent as the seven-year-old Ruby after she’d been left in charge of their joint haul of Easter chocolate.

      ‘That goes for you, too, Cat,’ she said, straightening up.

      Later that day, the doorbell rang and somebody started pounding on the front door. Gwen rushed through, tightening her dressing-gown cord as she went.

      Cameron Laing stood in front of her, arm raised from bashing seven shades out of the paintwork.

      ‘Is something on fire?’ Gwen said, stepping back to let him in.

      ‘Why didn’t you call me?’ His face and voice were as neutral as they had been in the pub, but there was a tightness around his eyes.

      ‘What?’ Gwen closed the door against the howling gale.

      ‘You were broken into,’ Cam said. His forehead creased. ‘You should’ve told me.’

      ‘I called the police.’ Gwen folded her arms. ‘And I’m fine. Thanks for asking.’

      ‘I know you’re fine.’ Cam sounded irritated. ‘I spoke to Harry.’

      ‘You two are like a pair of little old ladies.’ Gwen was determined not to be pleased that he cared.

      Cam frowned. ‘What?’

      ‘Gossiping. This whole place is filled with people talking about other people’s business and turning up at all hours and talking and wanting … stuff.’ Gwen realised she was babbling and forced herself to stop.

      ‘Are you all right?’ Cam dipped his head to look at her properly.

      ‘I’m just tired.’ Gwen tried a smile. ‘Actually, I’m exhausted.’

      He ran a hand through his hair, leaving the front standing up. ‘Shit. Sorry. Did I wake you up?’

      ‘No.’

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