Cady barks, making us both jump as Josh walks into the kitchen carrying his briefcase. He stops in surprise when he sees us all.
I introduce him to Dennis and then DI Shirley, and he stiffens when he realizes she’s a detective. ‘Is everything okay?’ He sidesteps both dogs who have trotted up to sniff him.
DI Shirley tells him why she’s here.
He looks appalled as he puts his briefcase down and pulls a chair out next to me. He takes my hand and rubs it between his own. I’m relieved that he’s forgotten about yesterday’s disagreement and I’m grateful for his presence. ‘We need to do something about that boarded-up studio,’ he says. ‘We could change the back door to something more secure. It’s only a single wood internal door with a stupid makeshift lock. We need something double glazed. Triple glazed, even. Especially as the builders won’t be able to renovate the studio for a few months.’ Over the last week we’ve both rung around to see if any other builders are free sooner, but we haven’t been able to find anyone who can start before July.
‘That all sounds like a good idea,’ says DI Shirley, standing up. ‘I’m going to send over a team of forensics for fingerprints, so please don’t touch the study.’ She shrugs on her scratchy-looking overcoat. I notice white hairs among the fabric and wonder if she has a cat or dog. ‘Hopefully they can come first thing.’
‘Did Imogen tell you about the dead magpie?’ Josh asks.
‘Not yet,’ I say quickly. ‘I was just about to.’
DI Shirley looks at me questioningly but Josh jumps in to explain. I don’t mention the seven magpies on the hidden sculpture, but I can tell by Dennis’s expression that it’s not lost on him either.
‘I’ll leave you to it for now, but I suggest you sort out that back door as soon as you can,’ she says.
‘We’ve got a security firm coming tomorrow to install cameras in the garden,’ Josh says, sitting up straighter, like he expects DI Shirley to give him a gold star. He’s always like this around authority, desperate to please. ‘I’ll show you out,’ he says to her.
DI Shirley promises to be in touch and tells us we can call her anytime, and then follows Josh out of the kitchen.
‘Well,’ says Dennis, standing up too and putting his coat on. He picks up his flat cap and places it on his head. ‘Do you want Solly to stay here with you?’
Josh appears back in the kitchen and can’t hide how horrified he is by Dennis’s suggestion.
‘It’s just, it might help,’ Dennis explains. ‘Extra security.’
‘Having the dog here didn’t really help Dorothea though, did it?’ Josh replies bluntly. Dennis’s face falls and I could kick Josh for being so insensitive.
‘I think it’s a great idea …’ I start to say but Josh interrupts me.
‘Thanks, mate, but let me and Ims discuss it and we’ll get back to you. Is that okay?’
‘Of course.’ Dennis snaps the leads back on the dogs’ collars and then flashes me a kindly smile. ‘See you, Imogen. If you ever need anything …’
‘Thanks, mate,’ Josh says again, taking his coat off. I can tell he’s itching to get rid of Dennis and I cringe inwardly. ‘We’ll let you know.’
I show Dennis out, stopping to give Solly and Cady aquick pat. ‘Thanks so much for your help today, Dennis. I’m so sorry about what happened in the bunker.’
‘You won’t go down there again, will you, dear? Not on your own?’
‘No. I promise. I’ve taken some photos but …’ I lower my voice. ‘Please don’t say anything about the sculpture. I want some time to try and work out what it could mean before I share it with anyone she might not have trusted …’
He taps the side of his nose. ‘I promise to keep schtum.’
‘Thank you.’
I watch as he leads the dogs down the path next to our driveway and out of the side gate. He turns and gives me a quick wave and then he’s gone.
When I return to the kitchen, Josh has a pan of pasta boiling on the hob.
‘Are you okay, babe?’ he asks with concern. ‘It must have been really scary. Dennis seems a nice fellow. A bit nosey, perhaps. What was he doing here anyway?’
I explain how he helped me after I found the intruder. ‘The whole thing was really horrible, Josh.’ I slump onto a seat. ‘Can I help?’
‘No, of course not. You’ve had a shock.’ He’s silent for a few moments and I can tell he’s chewing something over. Then he says, ‘Why were you and Dennis in the bunker in the first place?’
I explain about the key I found and the what3words on the Post-it Note.
