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Maggie immediately returned to the jewellery shop to confront Elliott, but the shop was closed. She tried Elliott’s phone, but he didn’t answer.
What was he hiding? Had he just happened to be at the scene when Delia was mugged? Or did he have something to do with it? She recalled his face when he talked about Polly, and how he liked making her happy. Were Elliott and Polly in cahoots over Harvey’s murder? Did Toby know that? He said he would do anything for Polly. Would that include confessing to a murder he hadn’t committed to protect her?
These thoughts whizzed around Maggie’s head as she tried to get to sleep that night. Just when she thought she was dropping off to sleep, another thought shot into her mind. If Polly was involved in Harvey’s murder somehow, had she climbed into that tree and pretended to be stuck? Harvey must have loved Polly if he was going to propose, so had he climbed the tree to rescue his beloved? That would explain why he was up there.
It took Maggie another hour to fall asleep. When she woke up early the next morning, she didn’t feel rested or ready for action. She felt worn out, confused and annoyed with everyone who had lied to her. But, she supposed, if you were trying to cover your tracks as a murderer, you would lie a lot.
Maggie showered, had her breakfast, and then glowered at her makeshift evidence boards. They were no use at all. She had too many suspects, and too many motives. And she had no confidence in her detecting capabilities. Perhaps she should take a job at the library and immerse herself in the safe world of books instead of trying to find a murderer.
Maggie returned to Leeds and headed to Elliott’s shop first, but it was still closed. According to the business hours stuck to the door, the shop was supposed to be open now. Had Elliott gone on the run because of their conversation yesterday? Had he taken Polly with him?
Suspicion flooded Maggie. She checked Polly’s online presence for updates. Polly hadn’t posted anything since Maggie had taken her home yesterday, which was unusual for Polly. Maggie wished she had Polly’s phone number. She should have taken it yesterday on the pretence of checking to see if Polly was okay.
Oh! Maybe Delia had Polly’s number somewhere amongst Harvey’s belongings. Surely he’d have a contact list of people in his treasure-hunting group.
Maggie strolled along the street as she phoned Delia. There was no answer. Maggie left a message. A sense of unease was growing in Maggie about Delia, and how Elliott had been the one who’d taken her to the police station. If Polly and Elliott had murdered Harvey, would they target Delia next? Perhaps Delia had worked out they were involved.
Maggie decided to drive over to Delia’s immediately.
The weather-forecasting neighbour opened her front door as Maggie was halfway down Delia’s path. She called over to Maggie, “She isn’t home!”
Maggie stopped walking and looked the neighbour’s way. “She isn’t? When did she go out?”
The neighbour leaned heavily on her cane, and Maggie could see how pale she was. The woman said, “She never came home after she went out yesterday. I’ve barely slept. I’ve been that worried about her. She wouldn’t have a night away from home without telling me. Where could she be?”
Maggie tried not to show her worry. She smiled at the woman. “I’m sure she’ll turn up. Maybe she needed to get away for a while and let herself grieve about her brother.”
The woman didn’t look convinced. “But she would have told me if she was going away. I’ve got a terrible feeling that something awful has happened to her. Should I phone the police? Is she a missing person now?”
Maggie swiftly walked out of Delia’s garden and over to the woman. She said gently, “I’ll phone the police. I’ve got some contacts there. Try not to worry. If you give me your phone number, I’ll let you know what the police say.”
The woman’s eyes brimmed with tears. “Would you? Thank you so much. I’ve been that upset I haven’t even had my morning cuppa.”
“Let me make you one,” Maggie offered.
The woman stood to one side. “Thank you. Come in. I usually have a poached egg on a slice of toast for my breakfast when I have my morning cuppa.”
Maggie smiled. “I’ll make that for you too.” She followed the woman into the kitchen and proceeded to make her a strong cup of tea and some breakfast. Maggie tried to take the woman’s mind off Delia by talking about the previous day’s rain.
The woman gave her a knowing nod. “My hip is never wrong about that. Between me and you, I think we’re in for a harsh winter. I usually feel that in my left shoulder, and I’ve been getting a few twinges there lately. There could be weeks of snow and frost.”
“I’ll make sure I’m prepared. Here’s your breakfast and tea.”
“Thank you. You’re an angel.” She sighed. “I wonder where Delia is, and if she’s having any breakfast.”
Maggie said, “I’ll give the police a ring now. Is it okay if I go into your living room to make the call?”
The woman nodded, and then began to eat her breakfast.
Maggie went into the living room and phoned DCI Dexter.
“Ms Kelburn, what can I do for you today?”
“Delia Chester has gone missing.”
“Missing? Are you sure?”
Maggie frowned at the phone. “Yes.” She then gave him the details.
DCI Dexter said, “I wouldn’t class her as a missing person yet. She could have taken herself off on holiday.”
“Did you tell her about Toby’s confession?”
“No. We haven’t got the full details from him yet. What’s that got to do with Ms Chester going on holiday?”
Maggie said, “We don’t know she’s gone on holiday. I don’t think she would leave at the moment anyway. She’s determined to find out who killed her brother.”
There was a hint of sarcasm in the inspector’s voice as he said, “Perhaps she realised an amateur detective isn’t any use to her, and that she’s happy to leave the matter in the capable hands of the police. Knowing that everything is in capable hands, she decided to get away for a while.”
Maggie felt her nostrils flaring. She ignored the inspector’s insult, and said, “Did you know Harvey was going to propose to Polly?”
There was a second’s silence.
“No. I did not know that.”
“And did you know it was Harvey who booked the party at Lakeside Café? He ordered the food as well. He was planning a celebration. I think it was to celebrate his engagement.”
“I didn’t know that either.”
Maggie continued, “I’m assuming you know it was Elliott who brought Delia to your station after she’d been mugged.”
His sigh was audible. “No, I didn’t. Is there anything else you’d like me to know?”
Maggie was tempted not to tell the smug man anything else. But that wouldn’t be professional, and she was trying her best to act like a professional investigator.
She said, “Polly was dating Toby and Elliott at the same time. Possibly Harvey too. Elliott knew about Polly’s other relationships and claims he wasn’t bothered, but I suspect he’s lying. Polly was obtaining details of Elliott’s secret hunts and giving them to Harvey. I think Harvey was planning some sort of revenge on Elliott. Toby is obsessed with Polly and would do anything for her. He could have confessed to a murder he didn’t commit.”
DCI Dexter said, “That’s a lot of information.”
“I haven’t finished. I think Delia might have pieced some of this together. She may have even confronted Elliott or Polly. Elliott isn’t answering his phone, and Polly hasn’t posted anything online recently.” She hesitated when she saw a framed photo on the windowsill of Delia and her neighbour. Both women were grinning broadly. “I think Delia could be in danger. Her going missing is unusual according to her neighbour. I’m worried about her.”
DCI Dexter’s tone turned softer. “Okay. I’ll get on to Ms Chester’s disappearance. We’ll do our best to track her down. Leave everything to me.”
Maggie had no intention of doing that. “Thanks. Bye.”
She returned to the kitchen and was pleased to see that Delia’s friend had finished her breakfast. Maggie said, “I’ve told the police about Delia. They’re going to look for her.”
“Oh! Thank goodness for that.” She smiled. “I can get on with my day now knowing that Delia will soon be home.”
Maggie hoped that would be the case. She said, “I’ll have a quick look in Delia’s house to see if she’s left any clues about where she’s gone. I’m sorry, but I forgot to return her key yesterday. I’ll pop it through your letterbox when I’m done.”
Maggie left the woman and headed to Delia’s house. As she let herself in via the back door, an awful thought came to her.
What if Delia had been murdered? What if her frail body was lying dead somewhere in this house?
Maggie steeled herself, and began to search Delia’s house.