Free Scandal at Six (Lois Meade Mystery) by Ann Purser Page A

interior of a potentially lovely room. She kept the long, sagging sofa between them. Her professional eye told her that the furniture was good, but in sore need of care and attention. He was beginning to ogle again, and her voice was sharp.
    “Gardener? Goodness me, no, I wouldn’t have time! No, we have Mrs Richardson’s husband, an old man who comes every day, seven days a week, rain or shine. He loves this place, and regards the garden and grounds as his own territory. Has a potting shed behind the house, and if it rains or snows, he sits in there and reads thrillers. Oh, and yes, he comes into the kitchen for a cup of tea around eleven o’clock every morning. Your cleaner would be required to make that for him. Now, upstairs, young woman. And don’t worry, I am not the least interested in having my wicked way with you!”
    He threw back his head, and the guffaws went on loudly for some time.
    “Good,” said Lois. “That’s one thing settled. And your reluctance will include any young woman I send to you to clean this dump?”
    More laughter followed this, and Lois began to walk around the many bedrooms, itemising what needed to be done, and then walked smartly back down the wide stairway, saying she felt like Anne Boleyn at Hampton Court Palace.
    “I beg your pardon?” he asked.
    “Anne Boleyn. As in Henry the Eighth’s second wife. Her ghost is said to walk down the grand staircase at the palace, with her head tucked underneath her arm.”
    “Your head seems to be securely in place, Mrs Meade. Is there anything more to discuss? Everything else seems acceptable, so when can your cleaning woman start?”
    “At eight thirty on Tuesday morning. She will need to come every day for a week to clear the place ready for cleaning. Then once a week should be sufficient. Is that acceptable?”
    He nodded, and said he would show her out, as he needed to go down to the gate to see Margie. “Lovely person, Margie Turner,” he said. “Guards the zoo like a policeman on duty!”
    *
    Lois drove slowly through the centre of town, looking for a place to park. The traffic was heavy, and she sat for several minutes at traffic lights outside the police station. A familiar figure walked towards her and tapped on the car window. It was Cowgill, of course.
    “Morning, Lois dear. You’re looking very lovely, if I may be so bold?”
    “Oh Cowgill, not you, too! I’m up to here with lustful old men. Been to see Pettison at the zoo.”
    “Open up and let me in. I need to tell you things. Quick sharp! The lights are changing.”
    He sat down swiftly in her passenger seat, and said she should park round the rear of the police station. “I assume that the business suit means you are taking Cameroon Hall on as a client for New Brooms?” His whole demeanour had changed, and he was every inch the policeman.
    Lois nodded, and followed him up to his office. She said she had a great many things to do, so she couldn’t spare much time. Cowgill immediately got down to the subject at hand.
    “I should warn you about the Cameroon Hall zoo; and though it’s perfectly fine as far as the animals are concerned, unofficial reports have come to our ears of staff difficulties, burglaries, that kind of thing. On each occasion, Pettison has managed to deal with everything without needing our help. But I strongly suspect that there is far more going on there than we have yet discovered. Can’t put my finger on it, but I would say this to you, Lois. Be very careful who you send to clean there. In fact, I would advise you not to take on the job at all. But I suppose you won’t agree to that?”
    “You suppose right. I intend to send in Dot Nimmo, who is, as you know, a very tough cookie, having been married to a gangland boss in Tresham, and still in touch with useful people.”
    The telephone rang, and Cowgill answered it with a brisk “I’m busy. Tell them to phone later. What? Where? Right, I’ll be there in half an hour. Tell Chris I