51

51

After DI Brooks left, I closed all the drapery, turned on the lights, and sat in a comfy chair to read.

"Aren't we going to alter the venue for this evening's events?" Sandra asked. "This is now a crime scene."

"If we change it, our suspect will get suspicious."

"Very well," Sandra shrugged, and this was followed by a rigorous knocking on the door.

"That will be Hector and his mate," I said, standing up to respond to the thumping. But when I opened it, I discovered I was looking at a worn-down old lady.

"Good afternoon," she said, in a rumbling and oddly recognisable voice. "Come on in, Stewart. Meet Quintus Noone and DI Burton."

We observed an old man waddle into the flat, lugging an overnight case over which he was bowed in understandable distress. The old lady shut the door and removed her coat and then her wig, disclosing the recognisable face of Hector Nelson.

"Hello, DCI Burton," he said. "It's a joy to see you