Free A Well-deserved Murder (Trevor Joseph Detective series) by Katherine John Page A

Howells.’
    ‘Which is to be expected if the axe was hers.’
    ‘Two remain unidentified.’ Trevor looked up at Peter. ‘The other set belongs to your cousin.’

CHAPTER SEVEN
     
    Alan Piper had been in the police station many times in his capacity as a journalist. He went to the front desk, gave his name and was surprised to find himself hustled into an interview room.
    Trevor and Peter were waiting for him.
    ‘Nice meeting with the Queen?’ Peter asked.
    ‘Very funny. You’ve done enough duty around royals to know what their events are like. A lot of standing round waiting and watching the interminable handshakes before listening to the endless speeches.’
    ‘Tea?’ Peter broke in.
    ‘You know me.’ Alan answered.
    ‘I do and we have no wine, vodka or beer.’
    ‘In that case a coffee would be good.’
    Peter opened the door and shouted down an order to the incident room.
    ‘Made any progress?’ Alan took a notebook and pen from his top pocket.
    ‘Some,’ Trevor answered guardedly, looking to Peter.
    ‘You can put that away,’ Peter said to his cousin. ‘I’m about to switch on the recorder.’
    ‘Bit formal, aren’t we?’ Alan asked.
    ‘You’re a material witness to a murder. And you found the body. That makes it formal.’ Peter stated the date time and case number. ‘Mr Piper, tell us exactly when you saw the body of Kacy Howells?’
    Alan delivered the same story he had the night before. It didn’t deviate in any respect. Experience had taught Trevor that could be down to one of two reasons. Either Alan Piper was telling the truth because he had no reason to lie – or he did have reason to lie – and had carefully concocted and rehearsed the story until he was word perfect.
    ‘You mentioned the file the community police opened regarding your dispute with the Howells. Is there anything you can add to the information you gave the officer who retrieved your property from their garden?’ Peter continued.
    ‘Such as?’ Alan looked surprised.
    ‘Something you forgot to mention at the time,’ Peter suggested.
    ‘I kept a full diary of events. Their thieving of my property, times, dates, stalking activities of Kacy Howells …’
    ‘That we can get,’ Peter commented.
    ‘What more do you want?’ Alan looked from Peter to Trevor, who was sitting slightly away from the table, his arms folded across his chest.
    ‘What can you tell us about the Howells’ marriage?’
    ‘They were the ones spying on me and making my life hell, remember,’ Alan said flatly.
    ‘Were you surprised when George Howells married?’
    ‘Very.’
    ‘Why?’
    ‘Like everyone else in the street who had watched him grow up we assumed he was gay.’
    ‘Did you ever see him with another man?’
    ‘Many times, and before Kacy started spending weekends with him, never with a woman.’
    ‘What did you think of Kacy Howells when you met her?’
    ‘That she was a shy, quiet, mousy woman.’ Alan made a face. ‘Just shows how easily I can be taken in. I soon discovered that she was an evil, thieving, grasping, envious …’
    ‘Bitch?’ Peter finished for him.
    ‘This interview is being recorded,’ Trevor reminded.
    ‘Have you ever visited the Howells’ garden?’
    ‘Not since George Howells’ mother died nine years ago. I used to cut her lawns and help her out with the heavy gardening jobs after her husband died.’
    ‘Why didn’t George Howells take over?’
    ‘Because he was useless at any kind of practical work.’
    ‘Did you use Mrs Howells’ tools, or yours, to do these jobs?’
    Alan frowned. ‘Sometimes mine, sometimes hers. I can’t remember. For God’s sake, it was over nine years ago. What is this, Peter? Come on, do you know something I don’t?’
    Peter glanced at Trevor who pretended he hadn’t noticed. ‘Your fingerprints were on the axe that killed Kacy Howells.’
    Alan stared at Peter for what seemed like several minutes, although it could only have been seconds.
    ‘Have you