Free A Matter for the Jury by Peter Murphy Page A

shopping, this morning. I haven’t had time to clear up.’
    â€˜Not to worry, Miss Cottage,’ Arnold said. ‘You weren’t expecting us.’
    Her head sank back down. ‘No,’ she replied.
    Arnold took two steps towards her, as if to get a better look.
    â€˜I hope you don’t think I’m staring,’ he said. ‘That’s a beautiful cross and chain you have. It reminds me of one I’ve seen before, in a photograph. Have you had it long? Family heirloom, perhaps?’
    She unfolded her arms to take the cross in her left hand. She looked at it intently before looking back up at Arnold and smiling, less nervously now.
    â€˜Billy gave it to me,’ she said proudly. ‘He takes good care of me, he is very nice to me.’
    â€˜I’m sure he is,’ Arnold replied. ‘When did he give it to you? For Christmas, your birthday?’
    â€˜No. My birthday is not until May. He gives me things all the time. He gave me this on Tuesday.’
    â€˜What, this Tuesday, just gone?’
    â€˜Yes.’
    Phillips had also approached.
    â€˜I bet that cost a few bob,’ he said, introducing a hint of jealousy into his tone. ‘I wish I could afford something like that for my wife. On my salary I’d have to save up for it for years.’
    She laughed out loud at their ignorance.
    â€˜He didn’t buy it,’ she explained. ‘He found it. He finds all kinds of things when he’s working, doesn’t he?’
    â€˜Oh, does he?’ Phillips asked. ‘That must come in handy. Where does he find things, what kinds of places?’
    â€˜Everywhere,’ she said. ‘At the lock after a boat has passed through; on the banks of the river after they’ve had a picnic; in town; on the banks of the river, mostly. Billy says people leave all kinds of things there. He says you’d be amazed how careless people can be.’ Her head sank again. ‘I suppose I should have taken it to the police station really, shouldn’t I? But… am I in trouble?’ Her voice was quiet again now, sad.
    Arnold smiled. ‘Not from us,’ he said. ‘And I’m sure Constable Willis understands.’
    â€˜No need to worry about it,’ Willis agreed soothingly.
    â€˜But, Eve,’ Arnold said, ‘I think I may know who lost this cross and chain. As I say, I’m sure I’ve seen a photograph of it. It’s quite valuable, and it’s of sentimental value to the owner – it belonged to her grandmother. I’m going to have to take it to see if it’s the one she lost. If not, I’ll bring it back, I promise.’
    For some moments, Eve clutched the cross desperately, looking stricken. But then, with a look of resignation, she lifted the chain up over her head and held it out in front of her, offering it to him, giving it one last squeeze. Arnold took it gently from her, wrapping it in a clean white handkerchief.
    â€˜Did she lose it on the bank of the river?’ she asked.
    â€˜Yes,’ Arnold replied. ‘Well, close to the river.’
    â€˜She must be very sad. I hope she will be happy to get it back.’
    â€˜I’m sure she will,’ Arnold said.
    The front door opened behind him. A male voice, calling out loudly.
    â€˜Eve, I’m back. Where’s my lunch?’
    Arnold turned towards the door.
    â€˜You will be having lunch with us today, Billy,’ he said.
    Billy Cottage stared blankly at the intruders in his house. Eve tried to make herself as small as possible in front of the sideboard.
    â€˜Who are these people?’ he demanded of her. ‘If they need the lock they can ring the bell and wait, can’t they? They are not supposed to come to the house.’
    â€˜I’m sorry, Billy,’ she said. ‘I…’
    â€˜You shouldn’t have let them in.’
    â€˜I’m sorry.’
    Then Billy saw PC Willis in his uniform and