Dead Woman's Shoes: 1 (Lexy Lomax Mysteries) (27 page)

“I came to pick up Kinky for you, like you said. Guy wasn’t in, but I could hear the dogs, so I came round the back.” The phone crackled, and Lexy heard yapping. “Shut it, you noisy little...”

“Edward – are you still there?”

“
Yes.
Which one is Kinky?”

“Sorry?”

“Lexy – there’s five ruddy chihuahuas in this garden. Which one is Kinky? And don’t say the brown one.”

“He’s the one with the little stitches in his ear.”

“I haven’t got my flipping reading glasses with me.”

“Let me talk to them,” Lexy hissed. She looked up sharply as the door opened. The nurse came in and gave her an interrogative look.

“Won’t be a sec,” she told him.

“What do you mean, let you talk to them?” Edward’s voice was a low scream.

“Hold the phone down near the dogs,” she murmured, aware of the nurse’s penetrating stare.

“Right, I’m doing it,” she heard Edward say. “Quick. This place is swarming with coppers.”

Coppers? What was he on about? “Kinky,” whispered Lexy lightly into the phone. “Come here, boy.”

The nurse pursed his lips.

“Louder,” she heard Edward mutter.

Lexy drew a deep breath. “Kinky,” she yelled. “Come to the phone. Come to Lexy.”

“That’s got it. Up you come, matey-boy.”

“Ahem,” said the nurse.

“I’ll ring you back in a minute,” Lexy said, relief flooding through her. At least the mutt was safe now. Safe from what, though? She didn’t really know.

“Sorry.” Lexy put the receiver down, her face reddening. “That was my dog...”

“I see.” The nurse regarded her closely.

“Chihuahua,” Lexy babbled. “Very intelligent breed.”

“May I examine you, please, Ms Lomax?”

“Of course. Think I’m all right now. In fact I’m feeling fine.”

“I’ll be the judge of that.”

“I wasn’t
really
talking to my dog.”

“Lie back please.”

When he’d gone, telling her in no uncertain terms to rest, Lexy reached for the phone again, punched out Edward’s mobile number from the piece of paper he’d left her.

“Edward – where are you now?”

“On the way back to my place. Kinky is reclining on a cushion on the back seat.”

“What’s this about the police? At Guy’s?”

“As far as I could make out from my hidey hole, he’s been arrested.”

“What?”

“Perhaps he’s the Clopwolde Clobberer.”

“
No
.” Lexy shook her head. Not Guy Ellenger.

“I know he’s handsome, darling, but that doesn’t mean he’s good. Got to go, or I’ll be arrested myself for gassing into my phone while driving. Give me a ring later. And don’t worry about Kinky. He’ll be treated like royalty. I’m off to Peter’s. Bye-ee.”

Lexy swore softly. What the hell had Milo done? She picked up his card and dialled his number, but his phone was switched off. She called Edward again.

“Listen – sorry – but can you come and get me now?” she said, lowering her voice even though the door was shut. “They’ve discharged me. Need the bed, apparently. Told me to go home and take it easy.”

“Charming. It’s a bit soon, isn’t it, sweetie?”

“Oh... please just come and get me, Edward,” Lexy begged. “I’ve got to get out of here.”

“What’s the time now – half one. I’ll be there at two.”

“Thanks. I’ll wait for you outside,” gasped Lexy.

As soon as she had put the phone down, Lexy began unwinding the bandage from her head. She wouldn’t be able to sneak past the nurses’ station looking like a Sikh.

She spent the next ten minutes gently easing herself up, and dressing. She checked herself in the mirror, recoiling in shock. She was as white as a skating rink. The wound she had sustained from the fall was on the back of her head, but the dressing felt like it was taped firmly in place. Taking a deep breath, Lexy picked up her bag, took a few steps forward and quietly opened the door.

The nurses’ station was temporarily deserted. Lexy tottered out and within moments was in the lift being borne swiftly to the hospital foyer. She smiled weakly. Piece of cake, sneaking out of hospital.

But as she weaved across the foyer, trying to resist the urge to sink down and cradle her throbbing head, she spotted a most unwelcome sight stalking through the front entrance. She tried to dodge behind a pillar but it was too late.

Milo loomed over her.

“What the...?”

“Why did you have Guy Ellenger arrested?” she demanded, hoarsely.

His eyes narrowed. “His alibi didn’t check out. His sister told me that she was in the surgery alone all Friday evening, sorting out the computer records. That’s where she was going when she left her house at seven-thirty on Friday evening.”

“
Hope
was at the surgery on her own all Friday evening?”

Lexy felt herself becoming even paler than she already was.

Hope
must have been the person who Guy had been speaking to on the phone when he was setting up an alibi for himself. That call made sense now.

“...you know you were at the surgery yesterday evening? If anyone asks, I want you to say that we were there together. All evening. Do you understand what I’m saying? What? Yes, I’m really, really grateful. You know I am. You’re an angel. Bye-bye for now.”

Hope must have already had a few drinks when Guy spoke to her. When Lexy asked Hope the question later that evening, after she’d had still more to drink, Hope had suddenly become very still – as if she were trying to think hard.
Yes
, she’d said slowly.
I was here all night on my own
. She had nodded emphatically. Hope had forgotten what Guy had told her to say – got it wrong.

Lexy’s shoulders drooped. “So you went to see Guy?”

“No – that would have blown my cover. He was out on a call when I spoke to Hope, but I put in an anonymous tip-off to the station, and they must have collared him on the way back, at his place, from what you say. He’s probably being questioned now.”

Lexy regarded him dismally, wondering how much Guy was going to let on.

“Sheri-Anne Davis is next on my list,” Milo went on. “I want a few words with her about what was going on last night – seeing as you can’t remember.”

That wasn’t good. Lexy needed to get back to that barn before Milo got to Sheri-Anne.

She made to move past the detective. He blocked her way.

“What are you up to now?”

“Going home,” she replied. “I got discharged.”

“And I’m the Pope,” he said steadily. “You’re coming back to that ward with me.”

“No way. I told you, I’m out of here.” Lexy veered to one side, trying to push away an image of Milo in Papal regalia.

He moved in front of her. “You’re up to something again.”

Lexy felt a sudden bolt of anger. He was like a dog with a bone. “I’m not up to anything. I just want to go home. God knows I didn’t want to be involved in any of this in the first place! I came down here to be
incognito
. That’s a joke, isn’t it, with you following me everywhere like a bloody... bloodhound.” She felt her hands grip her t-shirt as if she were about to rip it in half. “If I had only just borrowed the bloody money in the bloody suitcase in the first place...”

“What bloody suitcase?”

“Stop asking stupid questions,” she snarled.

“I’m a policeman,” he snapped back. “That’s what I do – ask stupid questions. Well... questions, anyway.”

They glowered at each other.

Lexy tacked determinedly towards the exit.

“How are you getting home?” He drew level with her.

“Someone’s picking me up,” she said, staring straight ahead.

“You’re unbelievable.”

“Well, believe this – I’m about to throw up all over your Hush Puppies.”

He took a hasty step back. “They’re Wranglers, actually.” He pushed her on to a nearby chair. “Deep breaths. I’ll get you a... receptacle.” He strode off.

As soon as he was out of sight Lexy got to her feet and, gritting her teeth firmly, finally escaped. The pneumatic front doors hissed shut emphatically behind her.

Edward, behind the wheel of his Jaguar, was waiting on the service road.

“You all right, sweetheart?”

“I am now,” said Lexy. “Felt a bit queasy a moment ago, but it passed. Hey, Kinkster!”

The chihuahua had jumped out of the car and leapt joyfully up at her.

“How have you been, boy? Sorry I passed out on you.”

She slid into the car, holding Kinky. “Oh, no.” She ducked her head down. “Edward – drive.”

“What... oh, I see.”

The Jaguar accelerated smoothly on to the main road.

Lexy took a quick look behind. Milo was standing outside the hospital holding a cardboard hat, looking both exasperated and vaguely forlorn.

19

“So are you going to tell me why I’ve just had to kidnap your dog and bust you out of hospital?” Edward enquired.

“Another long story.”

“You’re full of them, lovie. Did your tall policeman, from whom you now appear to be on the run, tell you what’s been going on with our friendly neighbourhood vet? Like why’s he been arrested?”

Lexy shook her head. “I don’t know what to think. DI Milo said Guy’s been taken in for questioning over Avril’s murder, because he’d lied about his alibi for last Friday.”

Edward gazed at Lexy, his mouth forming a ludicrous ‘O’.

“Watch the road,” she snapped.

“Oops.” The Jaguar swerved to avoid an oncoming motorcycle. “But they’ve got hold of the wrong end of the stick,” Edward protested. “Guy Ellenger’s no murderer.”

“I agree,” said Lexy. Apart from having killed his father. That old chestnut again.

“But if it wasn’t Guy, who else could it have been?” Edward reached for a pair of shades on the dashboard, and slid them on.

“Someone else from the am-dram?” Lexy said.

“Maybe – Avril certainly knew how to rock the boat.” Edward glanced at her. “Take Sheri-Anne Davis for starters. Avril threatened to expose her grubby little affair with one of the cast members. I overheard them speaking in the foyer the other week.”

Lexy turned to him, sharply.

“Didn’t catch with whom, to my annoyance. But it’s so much fun speculating. I do so want it to be a woman – wouldn’t it be delicious if that got out?” He sighed wistfully. “It’s got to be someone with money – have you seen Sheri-Anne’s shoes?”

“Yeah – I used to have a pair like them. Six hundred quid and they hurt like billy-o.” Lexy stared into space.

“That’s fashion, darling. No gain without pain. Where am I taking you, by the way? Home, I hope.”

“No – I actually need to go to a barn in the middle of nowhere.”

“I might have known.”

“Can you turn left up here? I’ll have to try to remember the way.”

Edward indicated, giving her a sideways glance. “Are you sure you don’t want to go home, lovie? That knock on the head might have sent you doolally. In fact...”

“No – I know what I’m doing. Right here, and then down that lane through the heath.”

“As long as you’re sure.”

Oh, yeah. She was sure. She just hoped they’d get there in time.

A short while after, the Jaguar was bumping along the track that led to the disused barn.

Edward parked, switched off the engine, and regarded Lexy dubiously. So did Kinky. “Better leave him here.” Lexy pushed open the car door, clutching momentarily at her aching head.

“This is where I fell over and concussed myself last night,” she said as they walked towards the barn.

Edward recoiled. “Why on earth did you want to come back?”

“I have my reasons.” She led Edward to the barn door. It was locked. “Bollocks.” She gave it a weak shove. “Got to get in.”

“Can’t.” He pointed to the shiny padlock.

“It’s a matter of life or death.”

“Here we go again.” Edward rolled his eyes. “Seeing as I was arrested only last week for criminal damage, I might as well add breaking and entering to my repertoire, although God knows why you want to get into...” He eased her to one side, and pushed his shoulder hard against the door. The rotten wooden panelling split obligingly, and the door swung open.

They were greeted by a small wailing sound.

“Hello, Noo-Noo,” said Lexy.

“Well, I’ll be jiggered.” Edward stared at the cat in astonishment. She was in a strong metal cage, with a blanket-filled box at one end. A litter tray, food and water had been provided, together with a pile of cat toys, but Princess was clearly delighted to have some human company. And she was looking rather smug.

“How on earth did you...?”

“I followed the cat-napper yesterday.”

Edward watched her, eyes goggling. “Who was...?”

“Our very own trainee veterinary nurse – Sheri-Anne Davis.”

Edward gasped.

“And someone else,” said Lexy. “Presumably her mysterious lover, but I didn’t see him. Or her,” she conceded. “There was another car here when I arrived, but I can’t remember the make or colour. Sure I’ve seen it recently, though.”

Lexy, holding her throbbing head with one hand, reached down and picked up a wicker cat basket. “Noticed this when I was looking in yesterday evening,” she said through gritted teeth. “Now, all we’ve got to do is get Princess in it. And I happen to know she’s an acrobat, so let’s make doubly sure she doesn’t give us the slip.”

Lexy undid the metal clasp on the cage door. Edward stood behind her, knees bent and arms spread like a goalkeeper, and Lexy opened the door and put the basket against the aperture.

Princess Noo-Noo was far too curious not to creep into the basket to examine it, and as soon as her whip-like tail followed the rest of her in Lexy slammed it shut.

“Sorry and all that,” she said, as the cat writhed and scrabbled in her wicker jail. “But we’re not going to chase you halfway across Suffolk. Not with you in that condition. Speaking of which – now for him.” Lexy pointed to the other end of the barn.

Edward jumped. A large black tom cat with infuriated eyes was sitting in a similar cage, half hidden behind some bales of hay.

“He lives at the farm just down the road,” said Lexy. “He’ll find his own way back. Stand aside.”