Sloan paused for thought. “Is that better or worse?”
The pathologist chuckled. “Worse, Sloan. Much worse. Nobody can argue with a biochemist …”
Detective Constable Crosby dumped the last file of statements down on Sloan’s desk. “That’s the lot, sir. Including the receipt from Adamson’s.”
“Crosby …”
“Sir?”
“Crosby, did you by any remote chance notice anything out of the ordinary about the Osborne’s house when you went there?”
“No, sir,” promptly.
“Think.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Anything?”
“No, sir.”
“The mantelpiece,” suggested Sloan with a heavy patience. “Did you notice anything about the mantelpiece?”
Crosby screwed up his eyes. “No, sir.”
“No birthday cards?” It was almost a plea.
“Oh, yes, sir. A whole row …” His voice faltered. “Very pretty, they were.”
“If, Crosby,” said Sloan letting out a long sigh, “you can’t be a good example, then you’ll just have to be a horrible warning, that’s all.”
About the Author
Catherine Aird is the author of more than twenty volumes of detective mysteries and three collections of short stories. Most of her fiction features Detective Inspector C. D. Sloan and Detective Constable W. E. Crosby. Aird holds an honorary master’s degree from the University of Kent and was made a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her services to the Girl Guide Association. She lives in a village in East Kent, England.
All rights reserved, including without limitation the right to reproduce this ebook or any portion thereof in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of the publisher.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 1973 by Catherine Aird
Cover design by Tracey Dunham
ISBN: 978-1-5040-1061-0
This edition published in 2015 by Open Road Integrated Media, Inc.
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