“Anything else?”
“Patience, Cowgill. There was another very interesting thing. Pettison had a guest who stayed overnight and then departed early in the morning. Dot was in her car going down the drive on her way home when the taxi carrying the guest passed, going towards the house. She thought she recognised him from the early days when her husband, Handy, was active in the underworld. From Africa or some such. Nasty and dangerous, according to Handy, apparently.”
“Name?”
“She couldn’t remember, or get near pronouncing it. Anyway, Pettison told Dot the next day that his guest had recognised her, and been sad when told that she was dead. Pettison thought he was doing the right thing, so he said. But the most important thing is that this guest brought “a beautiful person” with him. There was no lady guest, and Pettison said she was put away safely. I suppose you know about his ‘people’ thing?”
“Thanks, Lois. That confirms our fears that Pettison is actively trading in illegal wild creatures, keeping some out of sight in transit, and selling them on to wealthy collectors and individuals who fancy an unusual pet.”
“So what are we going to do about it? Dot is determined to stay cleaning at Cameroon Hall, swearing that she can look after herself.”
“Softly, softly catchee monkey, Lois. That’s what we shall do. Keep me informed on Dot, and I will let you know what our Matthew can discover. We need to catch Pettison in the act of handing over or receiving an illegally imported animal. He is part of a huge network, and would be a very useful person to talk to. Would you be able to work on that?”
Lois nodded. “We have a secret weapon, you know. Don’t forget my friend and colleague, Mrs Tollervey-Jones, late of Farnden Hall, and now living at Stone House in the village. She has done some good work, and has lots of experience with foreign parts. I haven’t been able to use her since she arrived back from Japan, full of beans and raring to go, dear old thing. What do you think?”
“Whatever you think best, Lois. I have to warn you that there are dangerous people involved in this trade, and they would think nothing of removing any obstacle that gets in their way. Take care, my dear. You are very important to me. And how is Josie getting on with the new tenant in the shop flat?”
“My daughter is important to me, Cowgill. So far, our new tenant has been fine, but if he puts a foot wrong with Josie, I’ll have his guts for garters, so I will.”
Twenty-eight
“I don’t see why you’re bringing Mrs T-J into whatever nonsense you’re up to with Inspector Cowgill!”
Gran stood, hands on hips, by the window after dumping a coffee onto Lois’s desk, where she sat working on New Brooms business. The cleaning ladies were all now so familiar with how things went that Lois sometimes thought she could duck out and take up golf. She rather fancied challenging Cowgill to a game! But then something would go wrong with the team. It could be a complaint from one of the clients, a broken vase, or one of the girls unhappy about a predatory male client. Then she would be the one to sort it out.
“All will become clear, Gran,” said Derek, coming into the office behind her. “Trust Lois. I am sure the inspector will not allow her to come to harm. And when you think about it, we don’t have much alternative but to let her carry on, and say nowt. That’s my new policy, and I recommend it.”
“Huh, I don’t see that lasting long,” she said, and stomped back to the kitchen.
“So what can I do for you, Derek,” Lois said, smiling, “now you’ve sent Mum packing?”
“I heard you talking about Mrs T-J, and I thought you’d like to know she’s on her way here, full steam ahead.” At this point, dead on cue, there was a knock at the door.
“Mrs T-J,” chorused Derek and Lois, and she went to answer the door before Gran could frighten her away. Gran did not hold with the old lady being a member of Lois’s team. “She should be content to sit back in retirement and sew shirts for sailors, or write her memoirs,” she had said.
“Sit down,” said Lois. “Thanks for coming in.”
“So pleased to get your message!” said Mrs T-J. “Things have been a bit flat since I returned. Now how can I help you? Anything, my dear, except scrubbing front doorsteps!”
Lois explained in detail what she was investigating, and her colleague was doubtful. “Surely you can leave that to the police?” she asked. “I can’t see that what goes on at Tresham Zoo in any way threatens your family, Lois, or the business of New Brooms. Am I being stupid here?”