Free Death in the Aegean by Irena Nieslony

She always said that you never knew who you might bump into.
    Eventually Eve called her dog and they went out, Portia happy to be taken out earlier than usual for her morning walk.
    Eve closed the front door, still trying to be as quiet as possible. It was already pleasantly warm outside, though not blisteringly hot, and Eve smiled, enjoying the warmth of the early morning sun. For a moment she thought it might be a good idea to do this every day, but then decided against it. Eve was a night owl and enjoyed going out in the evenings. She certainly didn’t want to forgo that pleasure.
    A few minutes later, as Eve walked along with Portia, she saw a figure coming towards her. She was delighted when she realized it was Paul.
    Great. At last I might find out more about Lucy’s death.
    “Paul, hi,” she said a few moments later. “You’re up very early. I’m so sorry about Lucy.”
    Eve tried to look suitably sorrowful.
    “Thanks, Eve,” he replied. “However, you know we weren’t that close. She was never particularly fond of me. In fact, I’m sure the whole thing has been more traumatic for you; finding her body I mean.”
    “Well, it was quite a shock, yes, but I’m okay now I think. I did have a bit of a nightmare last night, but things always seem better in the light of day.”
    “I’m sure it will take you a little while to get over a fright like that,” Paul replied sympathetically. “I’m just off to Kevin’s to see how he is. I expect he’s going to have a difficult day. His son, Justin, took his Mum’s death particularly hard.”
    “And Kevin didn’t?” Eve asked nosily.
    “I don’t think it’s sunk in yet,” Paul replied, trying not to give anything away.
    He didn’t want to tell Eve that Kevin didn’t seem to care, though he thought that she probably knew. It was no secret that Lucy and Kevin’s marriage had been on the rocks.
    Eve paused, not knowing whether to ask the all-important question, but she and Paul had become good friends since they, together with Jane, had been held hostage by James Anderson. In the end, she decided to go for it.
    “Have the police decided if it’s murder or not?”
    Paul looked at Eve, realizing that she was going to go on the hunt for the killer again. He didn’t know why he had ever doubted it.
    Is there any point not telling her? he asked himself. She’ll know soon enough anyway.
    “Well, Eve, I reckon you’re going to find out today, so I might as well tell you; yes, Lucy was murdered; strangled in fact. Keep it to yourself for the time being, please.”
    Eve gasped, but agreed that it was best not to spread it around the village.
    “Of course I will. I certainly won’t tell David. He’ll worry about me interfering!”
    “I’m sure he will.........You’re not going to, are you?”
    “Whatever makes you think that?” Eve asked mischievously.
    “Well, be careful if you do,” Paul replied, shaking his head. “Listen, I’ve got to get going to my brother’s. See you later.”
    “Bye,” Eve replied, her mind racing.
    Once Paul had gone, Eve carried on walking, thinking what to do next. One thing she did know was that she wasn’t going to tell David that Lucy had been murdered. Let him find out later. He would be the last to know if she had anything to do about it, although she’d miss having him by her side trying to solve the crime. Even though he had been reluctant to help her previously, it had been fun that he’d finally given in. To top it all, he was a pretty smart guy and had been useful.
    It was good to have a bit of assistance. I could certainly do with someone’s help this time as well.................What about Jane? I like her and we have become good friends, despite a few bumps along the way. Plus she might find out a few things, what with being Paul’s girlfriend. I’ll give her a call right now.
    Eve didn’t give a second thought to the fact that it was only seven o’clock in the morning.
    She got her cell phone out