Murder Most Royal — читать онлайн бесплатно полностью

’

The Queen’s heart sank. This had been her suspicion, too, or part of it.

‘I heard about her accident,’ she said.

‘Horrible, isn’t it? He just drove right off and left her, whoever he was. There’s quite a few round here would like to get their hands on him.’

‘Was she researching anything in particular, do you know?’

‘Ah! I know what you’re thinking. Was she doing anything that might have caused the hit-and-run?’

This was exactly what the Queen had been thinking, but before she could resolutely deny it, Mr Day continued, ‘We had the same idea, my wife and me.

Judy said she was working on a new piece, based on something she’d seen at the beach. Not to do with money laundering, I don’t think, but it might have been to do with drugs. She was very exercised about them.’

‘Did she try and tell the police?’

‘Ah, therein lies a tale, ma’am,’ he added. ‘Not a very happy one.’

‘We don’t know. We were wondering about it all over Christmas – what if she’d got into hot water and the hit-and-run wasn’t an accident? My wife was very worried, so she rang the police to ask if Judy had said anything to them, and the desk sergeant told her not to worry, they were on to it.

’

‘Ah.’ The Queen tried to sound both disapproving and encouraging of gossip in all its forms.

‘How very unfortunate.’

‘It was a bit. They don’t realise that people talk to each other, that’s the problem, ma’am.’

‘It is indeed. Mrs Day must have been upset.’

‘She was furious.

That’s the last time she tries to help.’ He moved on. ‘But don’t worry, as I say, I’ll ask around and find out for you about this gang business. Birds sold on the cheap, you say? Sold on the “cheep”! I think there’s a Christmas cracker joke in there somewhere. As soon as I hear any more I’ll let you know.’

‘Thank you, Mr Day. That’s very kind.’

‘Will you be coming over soon, ma’am, to visit the loft? You wouldn’t believe it, but my wife’s invested in a still and is making some rather impressive gin.

We’d love to offer you a jigger or two to try, if you’re amenable.’

‘You have a very inventive family,’ she said, impressed as always by the industry and ingenuity of her tenants.

The Queen put the phone down and gazed out of the window again. Then she picked it up one more time and asked the operator to put her through to Rozie.

Rozie had been in the middle of some paperwork, but she was pleased to get the call.