Page 81 of Death at Inishmore Castle

I took a deep breath. “That’s a relief. I wasn’t worried about me, but I’m not sure how Lizzie might have taken all that.” She was the more sensitive twin, and I didn’t think her nerves would handle a court case very well.

“Why were there no bloody footprints left at the scene?” I asked. It had been bothering me.

“They’d been standing outside on the patio, through the French doors behind the desk. So, the blood was washed away in the rain, and the priest stumbled back into the chair.”

“Did the gardener stick with his story about trying to protect the O’Sullivans?”

“He did. I’m inclined to believe him. After several hours of questioning, it was clear he’d grown protective of them because they had given him a second chance. He also used the passageways to keep an eye on things inside the estate.”

I blinked. “Wow. How do they feel about that?”

“They are in shock on all counts. As you might imagine, they had no idea of the worth of their possessions. They are already working with a new appraiser. But they’ve decided to continue with their bookings and tours.”

“I’m not sure if I was sitting on that kind of money, I’d want to go to so much trouble.”

He laughed. “Aren’t you, though?”

I shook my head. “I do well, but not billionaire well. Besides, I’m perfectly happy here in Number Three with my sister.”

He chuckled.

“What?”

“That’s one of the things I like about you. That you like a simple life. Well, that is when you aren’t trying to get yourself killed solving a murder.”

He made a fair point.

Then he sighed and frowned.

“What is it?”

“Well, I didn’t want to trouble you so soon after what happened, but I need your help.”

“Is it with a case?”

He stood and shut the door to my office.

This must be serious.

“Of sorts. One of my men was going through some footage looking for a shoplifter.”

“At Lizzie’s store?”

“No. It was at another establishment. The thing is, we noticed something else.”

“I’m intrigued.”

“Do you remember being in Kelly’s two weeks ago?”

“Yes, I was buying new wellies. With the weather here, I realized that I needed two pairs so one lot could dry out while I wore the others.”

“Right.” He pulled some photos out of his pocket.

“Do you remember seeing this man in the store?”

He pointed to a gray-haired man. I couldn’t really see his face.

“No. I don’t think so. I was busy writing my book in my head when I was there. I really wasn’t paying attention to my surroundings.”