Inspector and Fish

Inspector and Fish (6)

CHAPTER SIX

"This is the it."

She flicked back a strand of red hair rapidly blinking as she faced the boy men.

"The broom cupboard he was found in?" Inquired Gerard, his face starting to turn a familiar shade of green. As the maid slowly nodded try desperately to hatch his gaze.

"Who found him?" Cassidy asked more professionally, throwing an disapproving glare at the oblivious maid.

"Sophie"

"And you are?"

She giggled, and pretended to blush "Victoria, Miss Victoria Smith."

Both men stood awkwardly ignoring the obvious flirting.

"So..."

Clones edged by her, pushing open the rough wood door to reveal the dark crammed space. The grey flagstones were covered in a layer of disturbed dust surrounding a sickly brown red stain in the centre.

"Do you see that?"

Clones was getting greener by the second and blew out his cheeks as he turned to the detective.

"Hic'... What?"

"It's empty."

"Yeah, the bodies in the pantry... Uh'."

"No, it's a store cupboard but no brooms, no aprons, nothing."

He spun to Victoria "has the closet been cleared?"

Still rapidly blinking and smiling, she shook her head. "No-o... But there was only the ancient stuff in there that we don't use."

Robert scratched his chin in thought as Gerard swayed behind him.

"Can we see the rest of the house?"

Another unnecessary giggle "Miss Florengrove, said anywhere, as long as you don't touch anything"

"Wait here." He ordered her.

"Clones?" Cassidy nodded his head down the hall, walked down and turned into the corner followed by the swaying Clones.

"Go with her" he said crispy.

"What?!" The alarmed Gerard was returning its common green color.

"Just for now, ask her questions about herself, the family, the rest of the staff. Get as much you can about the butler."

"But how would she know?"

"I know her kind deceitful and sneaky, she knows more than she's telling us."

"But... But... She's"

"She's obviously looking for some male... Attention. And will answer any of your questions to get it. Now go."

The policeman hung his head and sighed, his face expressing that he would rather go back to see the body than spend an afternoon with Victoria.

He slowly slumped back to the maid.

Meanwhile Cassidy proceeded to the stairs, back to the main part of the house.

He knew where to start now, and he was sure that his first clue was right around the corner.