Free A Cornish Revenge (The Loveday Ross Cornish Mysteries Book 1) by Rena George

road. There wasn’t much traffic in an area like this. ‘Your husband did not kill himself, Mrs Bentine,’ he said quietly, before turning to face her. ‘He was murdered.’
      The word seemed to drain away what little colour remained in Magdalene Bentine’s face. She attempted to stand, but swayed and Amanda rushed to guide her back down to the sofa. She stared at Sam. ‘You think someone killed Paul?’ Her voice was incredulous.
      ‘Is that such a surprise?’ Sam asked. ‘From the way you have described him, your husband seems quite capable of upsetting people.’
      ‘I know he had enemies,’ Magdalene said, ‘But things were better for him after we moved here.’
      ‘What enemies did he have, Mrs Bentine?’ Sam asked.
      But Magdalene shook her head. ‘I don’t know. Maybe enemies is too strong a word. Paul didn’t exactly get on with everybody.’
    He was certain she was hiding something, but now wasn’t the time to press her further. They would interview her again.
    ‘Just one more thing,’ he said, smiling as he turned to leave. ‘You said you were away for the weekend. Where did you go?’
            Magdalene coloured. ‘I was staying with friends in Bodmin,’
            Sam knew she was lying, but his expression remained the same. ‘It’s just a formality, but we will need the address of your friends.’
    Back at headquarters the computers had been examined at length. The smaller laptop was obviously the one Magdalene used for her business. Nothing of significance had been found in either.
      Sam was more hopeful of gaining information from the little memory stick now in front of him. He examined the tiny scrap of purple plastic. It had been dusted for prints and none were found, which was odd because he would at least have expected Paul Bentine’s prints to be there. It could be brand new of course, and devoid of any information at all, but he would still have expected to find some prints. This one looked as though it had been wiped.
      But the stick was not devoid of information and he’d whistled when they produced the printout of what was found on it. It was a dossier of names. Sam recognised some local businessmen. Each name had an attached file of information – not the sort of details any of them would want to be made public. Bentine was a blackmailer!  This morning Sam had no suspects…now he was spoilt for choice!
    The pub was packed with lunchtime drinkers when Merrick and Loveday walked in.
    ‘Who were those two women desperate to catch your attention back there?’ He was referring to Kit and Abbie, who’d been having lunch in a café in the square when they passed. They had knocked the window and beckoned her in, but Loveday shook her head, holding out her hands as though she had another appointment – which she had.
    ‘They looked pretty determined to catch your eye.’
    Loveday explained who they were and he nodded. ‘I’m not trying to avoid them,’ she frowned, ‘But they are a bit heavy going – and they seem to appear everywhere I go.’
    The man standing at the bar turned as they entered. Loveday’s eyebrows rose as they stared at each other, their surprise mutual.
    ‘You two know each other I take it,’ Merrick said, slapping Sam’s back.  
    ‘Miss Ross.’ Sam nodded solemnly.
      Loveday inclined her head. ‘Inspector.’
      Merrick eyed them, but said nothing. He’d let whatever was going on between them pass for now.
      ‘Right,’ he said. ‘What’s everybody having?’
      Loveday hated standing at a bar and eyed a corner table by the window. Sam had followed her glance.
      ‘I’ll get these,’ he said. ‘You two sit down and I’ll bring the drinks over.’
      ‘How’s it going then, Sam?’ Merrick asked when the detective had brought their glasses and set them down on the table. ‘Got it all tied up yet?’ His tone was teasing.
      Sam sat down, stretching his long legs under the table as he considered his