Free STRANGE BODIES (a gripping crime thriller) by Antonia Marlowe

and white crockery. Rolf was stretched out in a battered basket beside one of the armchairs. Everything was spotless.
    She said, ‘Good morning, Mr Lawrence. Detective Holly Vaughan, we met yesterday. Officer Forster’s going off duty now. You’ll be stuck with me for a while.’
    ‘Good morning, Miss Vaughan. That will be nice.’ He smiled at her. ‘Please, help yourself to a cuppa. I’ll just see young Dale here out and be right back.’
    She heard the murmur of voices then the sound of the front door closing. As Jim Lawrence came back into the kitchen she noticed he was already dressed and shaved.
    ‘Now, my dear, have you had breakfast? Can’t get a good start to the day without a good breakfast.’
    ‘I’m fine, Mr Lawrence, thanks. No, no tea. Nothing, really. I need to go over your statement again, if you feel up to it.’
    Jim poured himself another cup of tea and said staunchly, ‘I’d rather get it over with.’
    ‘I’m going to record this with your permission. I just need to clarify a few points.’
    ‘That’s fine, Miss Vaughan.’ He looked puzzled. ‘Where’s the recorder?’
    She touched the small silver button on her shirt lapel. ‘That’s it. And it automatically sends it to the office.’
    They went through his statement again but Jim could think of nothing to add. He asked her, ‘Do you think dogs remember things like that, what it meant?’
    ‘No, Mr Lawrence, I’m sure Rolf doesn’t,’ she said gently.
    ‘I’ve been thinking about it, you know. Can’t help it and I wonder how they knew about that fig tree. Oh yes, there is one thing I’ve remembered—my brother said he saw people at the hermit’s hut, years and years ago. Do you think they used it to murder those poor souls? I saw them so clearly. I still can.’ He shuddered.
    ‘Sergeant Marino didn’t know about that picnic spot. My brother, God rest his soul, told Jen and me about it. The last time I was there with her was about three years ago.’ He looked down at his clenched hands.
    ‘Mr Lawrence,’ she began.
    ‘Jim, please. And you’re Holly, aren’t you. Well, Holly, whoever took them to the tree knew about it. Seems to me there must be a local connection.’ He broke off. ‘You’ve already thought of that, haven’t you. Silly old duffer that I am.’
    ‘No, no, you’re not. Actually there was one thing I was going to ask you. Do you know any of the current fire wardens or rangers who look after that area?’
    Jim looked doubtful. ‘I only know first names. No, you ring the local forestry office. They would know. See, they’re all volunteers, the county fire wardens. They get together for drills and such on the weekends. Yes, best if you give them a ring.’
     
    Holly concluded, ‘As I said, really nothing new there, sir. But he did mention his brother had seen other people at that old hermit’s house.’
    ‘Good work, Holly. Thanks.’ They broke the connection.
    ‘Sounds as though he’s settled down, so we’ll call in and see him. We’ll go to Penrith first—courtesy call on Sergeant Marino. What time do you think we’ll get back, Kerry?’
    ‘If we take a ‘copter it’s about fifteen minutes. Otherwise about an hour or more, even on the express grid. If you want to interview Jim again we’ll need a car. May be best if we head to Penrith by ‘copter then borrow a vehicle. I’ll give Marino a call about that now.
    ‘Jim Lawrence lives about fifteen minutes from there. So say half an hour with him. I reckon we’ll be back by three at the latest.’
    ‘Good. We’ll get over to the Richardsons’ house around three-thirty then. I’ve seen the forensic report and the CSI findings. Surprisingly sparse … very little personal stuff there, I’ll want to talk to their housekeeper in due course. See who else has been visiting recently.
    ‘I don’t really think we can get much more out of Mr Lawrence but I’d still like to see him, meet him. So ‘copter then car it is.
    ‘We should