‘By whom?’
‘I can’t tell you that,’ Amir said.
‘Whycan’t you tell me?’ Patti shouted. ‘I’ve a right to know who’s accusing me, but I’m betting it’s that wretched Tom whatever-his-name-is who fancied my daughter! He’s obviously the killer and has fed you this ridiculous story to draw attention away from himself.’
Ally heard Amir sigh. ‘He insists that he’s telling the truth. Butsomeone’slying. In the meantime, I ask that you do not leave this house. I don’t want to make any arrests yet, but I will if I have to. I’m thinking only of your daughters and how it could affect them if their mother was taken into custody.’
‘This is so damned unfair!’ Patti shouted. ‘This is all a heap of lies! I want to go home to Canada! I cannot believe that so many ghastly events have taken place since I set foot again in this country – the country of mybirth!’
‘That’ll be all for now,’ Amir said calmly. ‘I’d prefer not to position a policeman at the door, but I will, unless you promise to stay right here in the malthouse. Or the garden,’ he added hurriedly.
There followed a great deal of shuffling as they obviously made their way back inside.
Amir tapped on the kitchen door just as Ally had hurriedly tiptoed back into the kitchen. She realised she must have been looking a little guilty because Amir said, ‘I’ve no doubt whatsoever that you managed to hear that conversation, in which case you’ll have heard me tell Mrs Armstrong to remain within these four walls.’ He gave a wry smile. ‘I really don’t want to have to post a constable outside your door unless absolutely necessary. And if you suspect that she might try to leave, please ring the police immediately. There’s always someone on duty, and I shall fill them in on what’s transpired.’
Ally nodded. ‘I will.’
How did heknowthat she’d been eavesdropping?
EIGHTEEN
After Amir had gone, Ally sat down at the kitchen table and removed the still-life picture from the wall. Turning it over, she stared at her Post-its around Archie’s name, wondering where on earth to start. She realised that she’d never got round to removing Greg from the one o’clock position, and he was hardly likely to be a main suspect now – in fact, she should probably start a new ‘clock’ for him too. So, could Archie’s murderer be Patti? Or Angus? Or could it even be Tom? Tom was already positioned at ten o’clock, so perhaps she should push him up to eleven? And definitely remove Greg from one, but who to replace him with? Should she leave Patti at twelve o’clock and also place Angus at twelve, the chief suspects? Or was it someone else altogether? Ally had rarely felt as confused as she did now.
Someone was tapping at the door, so Ally hurriedly replaced the picture on the wall, ensuring that there were no Post-its peeking out from behind the oranges, lemons and grapes.
‘Can I come in for a minute?’ An anxious-looking Wendy was standing there.
Ally noted how drawn and exhausted looking she was. ‘Of course!’
‘Thank you.’ Wendy slumped into a chair. ‘I honestly don’t know which way to turn,’ she said.
‘Tea? Coffee? Something stronger?’ Ally asked.
‘Tea would be lovely,’ Wendy replied. ‘Black, two sugars with a slice of lemon, please.’
‘You’ve had a ghastly time, Wendy,’ Ally said as she handed over a cup of tea.
‘It’s been a nightmare,’ Wendy admitted. ‘I can’t get my head round the fact that both my brother and my husband are gone. It’s too much!’ Her voice wobbled, and her eyes filled up. ‘And now the detective is questioning Patti.Patti!What’s going on, Ally?’
‘I don’t know,’ Ally replied.
‘I shouldn’t burden you with my woes,’ Wendy continued, ‘but I don’t know where else to turn! My son, Joel, will be here soon. He flew here overnight, and he’s picking up a car at the airport, so should be here by late afternoon or early evening. You’ve no idea how pleased and relieved I’ll be to see him.’
‘I can believe that. And he should bring some comfort,’ Ally said.
‘Yes, but what’s really worrying me right now is the girls. I mean, they’re only teenagers, and they’re caught up in all this awful business, and they’ve been so brave.’ Wendy sipped her tea. ‘As for their mother, well…’ Words seemed to fail her for a moment. ‘She’s been no comfort to them because she’s so wrapped up in herself. We’re all in this nightmare, and the police don’t seem to be getting any closer to finding the killer. I mean some person seems set on killing this whole family!’
‘I sincerely hope not,’ said Ally, looking at her in horror.
‘We’re all too scared to go out, and Patti’s shut herself in her bedroom, and I don’t know what the hell to do!’ Wendy burst into tears.
Ally felt desperately sorry for the woman. She squeezed Wendy’s hand. ‘I really don’t know what to say, other than if there’s anything I can do…’ She thought for a moment. ‘Don’t forget that you and the girls are free to go out, so perhaps you could have a stroll down to the Craigmonie and wait for your son to arrive, have a late lunch or something?’ Then another thought struck her. ‘But what about Patti? She’s not allowed to leave the malthouse under any circumstances, so we’re going to have to organise some food for her.’
‘Oh, Patti doesn’t eat much – she’s always on some diet or other. I guess your wonderful breakfast would last her all day.’
The trouble was Patti wasn’t eating her wonderful breakfasts but surviving on toast or cereal. Of course, having both your husband and brother-in-law killed within days of each other wouldn’t necessarily improve one’s appetite.
At that point, Flora, who’d been asleep, woke up and put her head on Wendy’s knee.
