Page 37 of A Very Bookish Murder
Ally and Ross got back to the malthouse at precisely the same time as Brigitte and George.
‘We were at the Craigmonie for a meal,’ Brigitte said, ‘but have you heard thelatest?’ She licked her lips. ‘Della Moran has been cleared and is probably swanning around Derry as we speak!’
‘Yes, we had heard,’ Ally said, glancing at Ross, who was looking exhausted and ready for bed.
‘So this narrows it down to just five of us,’ Brigitte added, ‘and I can tell you, right now, that it was not me!’
‘It wasn’t Brigitte,’ George confirmed fondly, looking towards the stairs.
‘I’ve no doubt the inspector will be questioning everyone again,tomorrow,’ Ross said.
Brigitte stayed put. ‘Well, I don’t think it’s fair,’ she said with a pout. ‘I’m sure Della must have gone to the loo again later.’
‘Apparently she didn’t,’ Ally said, ‘and that’s been proved, otherwise the inspector would not have permitted her to leave.’
‘ShehatedJodi,’ Brigitte went on, ‘and she told me so.’
‘That doesn’t make her the killer,’ Ross said, yawning. ‘If you don’t mind, I’m knackered and I’m off to bed.’ He looked hopefully at Ally.
‘You and me both,’ agreed George, heading towards the main staircase.
‘I want a little word with Ally,’ said Brigitte. ‘Just for a moment.’
Ally shepherded her into the sitting room, wondering what was coming.
‘I know that you’refriendlywith the inspector,’ Brigitte said as she plonked herself in the middle of the sofa, ‘so I think you should tell him that Penelope is very strange.’
‘Sheis?’ Ally asked, amazed.
Brigitte nodded. ‘Did you know she’d once been suspected of murder? And she was in prison for another crime?’
‘Really?’ In spite of being tired and ready for bed, Ally was suddenly awake and curious.
‘More than once!’ Brigitte said triumphantly.
‘When?’ Ally asked.
‘Many years ago. When she was young.’
‘So what did she do?’
‘She tried to stab a man who was pressing himself upon her,’ Brigitte replied.
‘How do you know this?’ Ally asked.
‘Because I googled her and then found out her name before she was married, and then I googledthatname.’
Ally cursed herself for not having done precisely that and wondered if Amir had.
‘And then this Penelope, some years ago, was accused of killing her husband!Her husband!’ Brigitte repeated triumphantly.
‘I think the police are aware of that,’ Ally said, ‘but she was freed due to lack of evidence.’
‘Once a killer, always a killer!’ said Brigitte sanctimoniously.
‘Ifshe was a killer,’ said Ally.
But Brigitte wasn’t finished yet. ‘And then there is Millie,’ she said.
