Death Takes A Trip (Julia Blake Cozy Mystery Book 5) (8 page)

Chapter 13

When Julia picked Cain up the following morning he
told her that he
’
d got the
address and telephone number of Douglas
’
former
neighbour, Gloria. He said,
“
Albert phoned her last night and she
’
s happy to talk to us.
”

“
Great,
”
Julia said.
“
We
’
ve got a busy
day though, we won
’
t be able to
see her until we finish work.
”

“
Shall I phone
her now? She
’
ll be
expecting our call,
”
Cain offered.

Julia gave him a grateful smile and then pulled away
from the kerb.

Their day was busy and they barely had time to stop
for lunch. At the end of their last job Julia updated Cain on what DI Clarke
had told her, Nina and Doris yesterday. She said,
“
I know I should let the police get on with their investigations but you
should have heard the sound of Nina
’
s crying. It was awful, like her heart is broken, which it probably is.
I feel so mad that someone has taken away her happiness.
”

Cain said,
“
I
’
m sure you
’
ll find out who the killer is.
”

“
With your
help. You will help me, won
’
t you?
”

Cain grinned.
“
Of course. Are we going to see Gloria now?
”

Julia picked her cleaning bag and said,
“
Yes, let
’
s go.
”

A short while later Julia drove down a quiet road.
Modern bungalows lined up neatly at each side of the road. Julia said
“
These look like the kind of houses built by Adams Construction, they
have a similar style to the show house that Dad and I visited.
”

Cain sniffed.
“
They don
’
t have big
gardens, do they? And look at the windows, a bit on the small side.
”

Julia laughed.
“
You sound just like Dad.
”
She stopped the car.
“
This is the one. I can see a woman looking out of the window, that must
be Gloria.
”

Gloria opened the front door as Julia and Cain walked
down the path. She had permed grey hair and a friendly smile.
“
You must be Julia and Cain. Albert
’
s told me all about you. He
’
s so impressed with your skills in the garden, Cain.
”
She waved a
hand at her pebble-filled front garden.
“
That
’
s one of the
things I miss about living here, I used to love pottering around in my garden.
Well, I suppose that
’
s what I get
for buying a house that
’
s low maintenance. Do come in, I
’
ve got the kettle on.
”
She patted Cain on the shoulder.
“
And I
’
ve made a
Victoria sponge for you.
”

When they were settled with tea and cake Julia asked
Gloria if she knew about Douglas dying.

Gloria sighed.
“
Yes, I
’
d heard about
it. And I
’
ve heard that
he was pushed! Goodness! What is the world coming to?
”

Julia didn
’
t question how Gloria knew that Douglas had been pushed, she
’
d learnt a long time ago that local news passed quickly in this town.
She said,
“
Albert told
Cain that you used to live next to Douglas.
”

Gloria put her cup down and smiled fondly.
“
Yes, I moved next to Douglas and Val years ago with my husband, Len. He
died a while back. We were all young then! Full of life and hope. Val was so
happy for me every time I got pregnant, I
’
ve got three children, but I could see the sadness in her eyes. She hid
her disappointment well. She and Douglas weren
’
t blessed with children but that didn
’
t stop them spoiling my three! You
’
ve seen the woods behind their house?
”

Cain nodded.
“
It
’
s like a
forest.
”

Doris laughed.
“
That
’
s what my
children used to say! They loved playing in there. We had hours and hours of
fun, me, Len and the children, and Douglas and Val. Can you imagine the
adventures my children had in there?
”

Cain nodded.
“
I can, it
’
s awesome.
”

“
My children
always wanted a pet but I didn
’
t. I had enough on my plate coping with them. But then Val started to
adopt cats from the local cat centre. Oh! My children loved that! The cats
loved being in the woods, and my children loved finding them, they said they
were going on safari! I don
’
t think Douglas was keen on the cats but he put up with them for Val
’
s sake. When my children left home, Val kept adopting more cats. It
seemed to me that they were helping to keep her sadness at bay.
”

Gloria shook her head at the memories.

Julia said,
“
It sounds like you were good neighbours. Why did you leave the street?
”

Gloria picked up her cup and had a small sip before
continuing.
“
Val died, and
then my Len died shortly after. I felt like someone had switched a light off
inside of me. I
’
m sure that
Douglas felt the same. My house had once been filled with noise and laughter,
and then it was only me. I couldn
’
t cope with the memories. Then an angel appeared, he was called
Alexander Adams.
”

Julia shared a look with Cain, she wasn
’
t sure she
’
d call
Alexander Adams an angel.

Gloria continued,
“
He knocked at my door one day and told me he was hoping to build a new
estate on our street. I invited him in and he showed me the plans for the new
houses. I
’
m not too keen
on new houses but they did look nice, all modern conveniences and that sort of
thing. He asked me if I
’
d be open to selling my house. He made it clear that he
’
d be knocking my house down. I was shocked at first but then I
considered the alternative. I could move on, or I could stay in my house like a
ghost, wandering from room to room and living on the memories of times gone
past. I knew what my Len would have wanted me to do. Mr Adams offered me a
wonderful price, more than the house was worth I
’
m sure. He even offered to help me with the removal costs.
”

Julia gestured to the room they were now in.
“
Is this one of his houses?
”

Gloria nodded.
“
It is. They
’
d just been
built when Mr Adams came to my door. I was offered first choice. He said I
could choose my own colour scheme for the house. I thought this house was a bit
poky when I first came to see it but I
’
ve got used to it now. I love it. Mr Adams arranged for all the removal
of my things, he even arranged a storage unit for those things that I can
’
t bear to get rid of yet. He
’
s a lovely man, I
’
m so glad that he knocked on my door that day.
”
She looked at
Cain and added,
“
Have another
slice of cake, there
’
s plenty.
”

“
What about
Douglas?
”
Julia asked.
“
Why do you
think he didn
’
t want to sell
his house?
”

Gloria shook her head sadly.
“
He wasn
’
t ready to let
Val go. I kept in touch with him after I left but he was never the same. I
think he felt like I
’
d betrayed him
by moving away. He must have been so lonely, living in that big house on his
own, with just one cat for company.
”

Julia said,
“
He must have been very lonely. You should have seen him in the last week
though, he was like a different man.
”

Gloria nodded.
“
I
’
d heard that
he
’
d met someone,
a film star? Oh, what
’
s her name?
”

“
Nina Sapphire,
”
Cain said.
“
I
’
ve seen some
of her films.
”

“
That name
rings a bell. I
’
m glad Douglas
found love again, even if it was for a short time.
”
Gloria put her
cup down.
“
I
’
ve heard that you
’
re looking into Douglas
’
death. Have I helped you at all?
”

“
I
’
m not sure. I have my suspicions that Alexander Adams is involved in
Douglas
’
death somehow. But you
’
ve given me a different view of him now. I thought he might have used stronger
tactics to get you to sell your house, that maybe he even threatened you.
”

“
No, he never
did that. He was a gentleman.
”

Julia sighed.
“
Right, I don
’
t know where
to turn now.
”

Gloria pressed her lips together and gave her a
knowing look. She said,
“
I haven
’
t told you
about my other neighbour, Stan. He lived at the other side of Douglas.
”
She folded her
arms.
“
Stan was
forced out of his home.
”

“
By Alexander
Adams?
”
Julia asked hopefully.

Gloria shook her head.
“
No, by his son, Kirk Adams. He
’
s a nasty piece of work. If anyone is capable of murder, it
’
s him.
”

Chapter 14

“
I didn
’
t know that Alexander had a son,
”
Julia said.
She thought back to her Internet search, had his son been mentioned anywhere?

Gloria tutted.
“
I
’
m glad he
’
s no son of mine. I don
’
t think Mr Adams knows what his son is like, parents are often blind to
their children
’
s faults.
”

“
Does Kirk work
for his father?
”
Cain asked.

Gloria unfolded her arms.
“
He does, but the last I heard, Mr Adams had made him a partner. Whether
that was his decision, or he was browbeaten by Kirk, I don
’
t know. Kirk Adams is a nasty go-getter who is ruthless and calculating.
He doesn
’
t care about
anyone
’
s feelings,
probably because he has no feelings of his own. He never came to my house, I
suspect that
’
s because I
agreed to sell my house immediately. But Stan had dealings with Kirk. All the
houses on Douglas
’
street were different, Stan had one of the smaller ones. He was a
confirmed bachelor but he wasn
’
t often on his own! I
’
d seen many different women staying over at his house. He was approached
by Alexander Adams but he refused to sell, said he was happy living in his
house. From what Stan told me, Alexander Adams was okay with that and told Stan
to get in touch if he ever changed his mind.
”

“
That
’
s what he told Douglas too,
”
Julia added.
“
We met Alexander Adams the other day. He
’
s building houses at the other side of Douglas
’
land.
”

“
So I
’
ve heard,
”
Gloria said.
“
Anyway, Stan
told me that someone had been in his garden. He
’
d spotted footprints, well, they were more like boot prints really. He
showed me them. The prints were right under Stan
’
s windows, it was like someone had been looking through his windows.
”
Gloria
shivered.
“
Then that Kirk
Adams started harassing Stan. He
’
d turn up on his doorstep and go on about selling his house, and how
much happier Stan would be in a smaller house. Kirk Adams is a big lad and I
could tell that Stan felt intimidated. Kirk even approached Stan
’
s lady friends as they waited for their taxis on a morning. It wasn
’
t long before they stopped coming to his house. Then the window breaking
began.
”

Julia gasped.
“
No! That
’
s what
happened to Douglas. A rock was thrown through his kitchen window.
”

Gloria nodded wisely.
“
That sounds like the work of Kirk Adams. Stan confronted Kirk. He denied
everything, of course. Stan went to the police but they said they couldn
’
t help unless he had hard evidence, whatever that means. Poor Stan, he
turned from a confident man to a nervous wreck. He
’
d barely leave his house, and when he did he seemed to be looking over
his shoulder as if expecting to be attacked at any moment. It was all that Kirk
Adams
’
fault.
”

“
Didn
’
t Stan tell Alexander Adams?
”
Julia said.

“
He did. But Mr
Adams said his son would never do anything like that.
”

Julia thought about Alexander Adams
’
face when she
mentioned a rock being thrown through Douglas
’
window. He
never batted an eyelid. Surely he must have remembered Stan
’
s allegations against his son? Alexander Adams was good at covering up
his emotions. Perhaps he knows full well what his son is up to.

Gloria said,
“
Stan did sell his house eventually. I saw him at the market one Saturday
afternoon before he
’
d agreed to
sell. I tried to talk to him but he kept insisting he had to get home. That
Saturday night as I was drawing my curtains I saw Kirk Adams
’
van parked
outside Stan
’
s house. I saw
him get out of the van and walk down Stan
’
s path. I knew it was Kirk because he
’
s got an arrogant swagger. I was worried about Stan so I called round to
see him the following morning. He wasn
’
t inside. I tried again for a few days but he never answered the door. A
week later I saw Alexander Adams and a few of his workmen taking measurements
inside Stan
’
s front
garden. I asked him what was going on. He told me that Stan had sold his house
and had already moved out.
”

Julia was afraid to ask her next question.
“
Did you ever see Stan again?
”

Gloria shook her head.
“
I asked around town but it was like he
’
d disappeared into thin air.
”

Cain said,
“
Or he was murdered.
”

Gloria tutted.
“
No, I don
’
t think that
happened, it couldn
’
t have.
”

Cain said,
“
But you said earlier that Kirk Adams would be capable of murder.
”

“
But I
…”
Gloria
’
s eyes widened.
“
Oh! What if you
’
re right? I never thought of that! Poor Stan, his dead body could be
lying undiscovered somewhere! Shall we tell the police?
”

Julia shook her head.
“
We don
’
t have any
evidence. Do you think Kirk forced him to sell? Do you think his dad knows
about it?
”

Gloria leant back in her chair.
“
I don
’
t know what to
think any more. Would someone really kill Stan, or Douglas, just to get their
land?
”

“
You should see
the asking prices for the new houses,
”
Julia said.
“
I think Adams Construction are making a decent profit on them. Maybe
Kirk wants to impress his dad by getting people to sell.
”

“
Maybe he
’
s going to kill his dad next and have the company all to himself,
”
Cain added in
a jolly tone.

Gloria began to fan herself.
“
Don
’
t say that!
Don
’
t tell me that
a serial killer is on the loose!
”

Julia gave Cain an admonishing look and said,
“
We don
’
t know what
Kirk is up to yet. Is there anything else you want to tell us? Something that
might help?
”

Gloria frowned.
“
I can
’
t think of
anything else.
”

Julia stood up and gave Gloria one of her business
cards.
“
Please phone
me if you can think of anything else that might help us. Thank you for talking
to us. I
’
m sorry if we
’
ve upset you.
”

Gloria took the card.
“
Do you think Kirk Adams has been following you? He might know that you
’
re looking into Douglas
’
death. He
’
ll know that you
’
ve been to see me!
”
Her voice rose.
“
He might try to kill me!
”

“
I
’
m sure that
’
s not going to
happen. I
’
m going to
tell DI Clarke, he
’
s the
investigating officer, what you
’
ve told me. I
’
ll tell him
that you
’
re concerned.
I haven
’
t noticed
anyone watching me, or following me. I
’
m so sorry again for upsetting you. Come on, Cain.
”

Cain stood up and smiled at Gloria.
“
That cake was lovely, thank you.
”

Cain followed Julia to the car. When they got in Julia
said,
“
I know you
were only saying what you were thinking, but please try and keep those kind of thoughts
to yourself.
”

“
I
’
m sorry, I
’
m not used to
talking to people normally. In prison I had to keep my head down and not speak
unless spoken to.
”

Julia gave him a gentle smile.
“
That
’
s okay. I keep
forgetting you
’
ve been locked
up for the last twelve years. I do think you might be right though, I think
Kirk is a possible suspect. I wonder if he paid any visits to Douglas?
”

Julia
’
s phone rang. It was Doris.
“
Have you got any further with your investigations? Nina is out of her
mind with worry and grief! She won
’
t stop crying.
”

“
I
’
ve made a bit of headway. Shall I come round?
”

“
No, it
’
s okay. I
’
ve rallied the
girls round to keep her company. Then I
’
m going to slip a sleeping pill into her hot milk. Much as I love her,
she
’
s giving me a
raging headache with all that wailing!
”

Julia smiled to herself.
“
I could come round in the morning to see her.
”

“
Not too early,
”
Doris said.
“
I might slip her two tablets then I can have a decent sleep too.
”

She rang off abruptly. Julia wasn
’
t sure that she
’
d want Doris to look after her in a crisis. Still, her heart was in the
right place. Nina was lucky to have her as a friend.

“
Do you want me
to come with you tomorrow?
”
Cain offered.

Julia looked at him, she could tell that he didn
’
t really want to go.
“
Thanks, but you
’
ve worked hard this week. It
’
s Saturday tomorrow, have some time to yourself.
”

“
If you
’
re sure?
”

“
I
’
m sure. I
’
ll pick you up
on Monday morning as normal.
”

Julia started the engine and they headed to Cain
’
s house.

“
Let me know if
you need me to do any more investigating,
”
Cain said as
they arrived at his house.

“
I will do. Get
out before I change my mind.
”

As Julia drove away she thought about Kirk Adams. She
could do with talking to him direct. But one thing at a time. She
’
d speak to Nina tomorrow, she had a few questions for her.