“It’s not here. Someone called for you. About an hour ago.”
“Who?”
Heathcliff shrugged. “Dunno. They didn’t leave a name. It was a woman.”
“Was it Mum?” She’d come home from the hospital yesterday with a bit of a headache but otherwise fine. I’d been intending to go and visit her after work. Hopefully, she hadn’t got herself into more trouble, but I knew that was too much to wish for.
Heathcliff shrugged again.
“You’re no bloody help.” I was searching under the desk when I remembered, I’d taken it home last night to look at, but then Jo and I hit the wine and I’d forgotten about it. Sighing with annoyance, I fished my keys out of my purse.
“I’m going over to the flat,” I said. “We know Penny Sledge committed the murders, and the article proves it. Morrie’s heading out to watch her, make sure she doesn’t murder anyone else. I need you to find Jim Mathis – we think she’s hired him to do her killing for her. Or find Angus Donahue – he’s going to be the next victim.”
Heathcliff stood up. “I’m not leaving your side when there’s a murderer out there.”
“I’m just going from my flat to the police station. I’ll be fine. I’ll take Quoth with me if it’s really important.”
Heathcliff shook his head. “Quoth left to take his application over to the art school. This is the problem when he gets ideas above his station. He’s not here when we need him.”
“Don’t say that! Quoth deserves this.” I peered in the corner, where Grimalkin sat on the velvet chair in cat form, delicately washing her anus. “Grimalkin will come with me.”
“Meeeow.” Grimalkin stretched her neck up and shot me a look that clearly said, ‘don’t bother me. I’m busy with Important Cat Business.’
Heathcliff frowned at the cat. “What’s she going to do if someone comes at you with a garrote?”
“Scratch their eyes out, hopefully.” I picked up a protesting Grimalkin and dumped her in my oversized tote bag. “Besides, I’m hardly unprotected if you and Morrie are watching the two murderers. Now, get going! Morrie’s hacking Jim’s phone right now. He’ll come down as soon as he has a location for you.”
“I don’t like this!” Heathcliff yelled after me as I fled the shop.
“Get Morrie to kiss it better!” I yelled back, slamming the door behind me.
* * *
As I jogged toward the flat, Grimalkin howling in protest and swiping at my arm, I dialed Jo’s number. “Hey, Jo. Are you busy?”
“Just about to start some analysis on the murder weapon.”
“I might be able to save you some time. I remember where I’ve seen that black cloth before. It’s Penny Sledge’s mourning veil.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really. She was wearing it during the service. Morrie noticed it, and I saw it on her as she walked past me. But when she was giving her statement to Hayes, she wasn’t wearing it.”
“Hmmmm.” Jo said. “That’s interesting. Thanks, Mina. I’ll tell Hayes.”
“Tell him that Penny’s the murderer, and I have something that’ll prove it. I’m heading home to get it now, and I’ll bring it right over to the station,” I said.
“Oooh, intrigue. Just don’t touch anything on the second shelf down in the fridge. I’m doing an experiment on flesh-eating microbes and if you eat the Cornish pastie, you’ll die a terrible, painful death.”
“Duly noted.”
“Oh, according to the desk sergeant, Beverly was asking about you,” Jo said. “I think she really wants to talk to you. Apparently, she used her phone call to ring the bookshop, but I’m guessing Heathcliff answered.”
I groaned. That would have been the call Heathcliff got earlier. “I’ll see her at the station. It’ll be good if someone’s there when they let her out, see if she needs any help at home. I don’t think she has anyone in her life.”
“You’re a good person, Mina.”
“I try. I’m here now. Got to go.” I jogged up the steps and inserted my key into the lock. Last night when I’d come home, I’d set down the newspaper article on the kitchen table. Something about it had been bugging me, but I couldn’t put my finger on what it was. Until now.
