A Mischief of Murder: Coffee Pot Book Club Blog Tour.

A Mischief of Murder

I was dismayed to discover that the visitor was none other than Detective Sergeant Frobisher. We’d had run-ins with him before, an arrogant, very rude man who always rubbed Laurie – and me – up the wrong way with his snide, ungentlemanly remarks. Mind, the last time we were here in Devon Aunt Madge had soundly put him in his place – twice. Being on the sharp end of her tongue is not for the faint hearted. And matters had come to a head (well, a bloody nose), when Laurie had firmly punched him for being offensive to me. It seemed pretty clear to me that DS Frobisher had the Green Eyed Problem: he was jealous of the better, more capable policeman… my Laurie. I rather hoped that the uneasy truce the pair of them had managed to agree on that last time was still holding.

I didn’t offer coffee, merely explained that Mrs Walker was busy in the kitchen and would not appreciate being disturbed, although she did pop her head round the door, asked if all was well and did we want coffee?

Frobisher answered before I could say anything. “No. I need a word with Mr Walker.” He didn’t add a please or thank you.

Alf came in from the garden via the patio doors. “What can I do for you Detective Sergeant?”

“Where were you yesterday evening, Mr Walker?”

“Why do you need to know?” came the immediate, slightly guarded response.

“Just answer the question.”

Laurie came up behind his dad, frowned at Frobisher. “Is this an official line of enquiry, or something general?” he snapped with more rudeness than politeness.

“Official. Not that it is any of your business.”

Ah, the hatchet hadn’t been buried then.