Free Die Laughing by Carola Dunn Page B

John’s Wood were unnaturally immune to gossip, but this puts paid to that theory.”
    â€œIt is the murder of one of their own,” Sakari declared. “It has overcome their inhibitions.” She was an inveterate attender of public lectures, including a recent series on Freud.
    â€œFew of them have any inhibitions about gossiping,” said Mel. “If you haven’t heard much, Daisy, it’s because they don’t indulge when you’re around.”

    â€œWhy?” Daisy demanded, astonished. “Do they think I’m not interested? A writer is always interested in people.”
    â€œThat’s one reason I’ve heard mentioned,” Mel told her. “That you’re a writer, I mean. A journalist, if not a reporter. I think they’re afraid you might write about them.”
    â€œWhat else?”
    â€œWell, I know you don’t like it mentioned, but you are an Honourable.”
    â€œThis I have heard,” said Sakari: “‘Servants talk about people, ladies and gentlemen talk about things.’”
    â€œSo my nanny used to tell us,” Daisy admitted, “but if it’s true, I know very few true ladies and gentlemen. I can’t believe people think I’d disapprove, just because I’ve got an honorary title in front of my name, which I don’t even use. Except when my editors insist, but I insist on still using Dalrymple with it, not my married name.”
    â€œThere is another reason people are reticent, Daisy. You are married to a police detective.”
    â€œBut …” Daisy stared at Sakari. “As if Alec would care about common or garden gossip! Honestly, anyone would think they were all criminals.”
    â€œI suppose lots of people have something they’d rather the police didn’t know,” Melanie murmured.
    â€œIn that case, it’s very odd of them to come out of the woodwork just when Alec will be interested in their secrets, in case they have some bearing on the murder. Maybe they expect to pump me without giving anything away.”
    Sakari shook her head. “That is part of it, perhaps, but I suspect it is rather that they look on you as an intermediary. If I had possibly useful information, I should much prefer
to reveal it to you rather than the police. Many people know that you have assisted Mr. Fletcher in a number of his murder cases.”
    â€œHow?” Daisy demanded indignantly. “I’ve never breathed a word, not even to you two, and Alec certainly wouldn’t, let alone his mother. Oh—Belinda?”
    â€œI’m afraid she told Lizzie,” Mel confirmed.
    â€œAnd Deva.” Sakari smiled, in a friendly way enjoying Daisy’s discomfiture.
    â€œThe girls told us. Naturally, we haven’t spoken of it, but they must have chattered to other friends. You know what girls are.”
    At least they could know only about the few cases Bel had been involved in, Daisy realized with relief. “No use crying over spilt milk,” she said. “The only question is, will it make people more likely or less likely to tell me things?”
    â€œThen you are sleuthing?” cried Sakari. “What did I tell you, Melanie? May we help?”
    â€œSorry, Alec would kill me if I let you get mixed up in it. He’s always trying to keep me out.”
    â€œMen are so often unreasonable, even Englishmen,” the Indian woman sighed.
    â€œI’m sure Mr. Fletcher is only trying to keep Daisy safe,” said Mel, the peacemaker. “After all, there is a murderer somewhere about. I hope people won’t give you information which will endanger you, Daisy, but I rather think they’re all secretly thrilled and dying to bare their souls.”
    Â 
    Â 
    When Daisy hung up on him, Alec nearly rang her right back to order her not to meddle in the case. That was
undoubtedly what Superintendent Crane and the AC would expect him to do. What they