Scandal at Six(55)
Betsy said that zoos were all very well in their place, and she could take them or leave them.
“I’m fond of London Zoo, in Regent’s Park,” Mrs T-J said. “I know my way around there, and can avoid the reptile house! I’m afraid reptiles give me the shivers. As for snakes, I cannot bear even the thought of them. It’s something about the way they move. No legs; no wheels! They just slither in the most alarming way. And so swift! I can understand how the poisonous ones can be so deadly.”
Betsy said she felt much the same. “I work at the Tresham Zoo, on and off,” she said. “Mr Pettison asks me to take over the gate when Margie is off sick.”
“Ah, Mr Pettison, yes. Now, I have heard tales told about him. An eccentric gentleman, I believe?”
“Eccentric? He’s much the same as any man. You can take it from me, he’s no different from most men. They’re usually interested mainly in one thing. Sorry to be very vulgar, Mrs Jones, but it’s what’s between his legs that he’s most concerned with! It’s a complaint that I can treat, and he comes to me regular. Nursey, he calls me.”
“So he is otherwise a simple, good-living person, do you think?” Mrs Tollervey-Jones was not in the least shocked. She had heard much worse in her time.
This unsettled Betsy, who had hoped to frighten the old tab away, in case of further rich revelations. On the contrary, Mrs T-J settled back in her chair, and enquired if Betsey saw much of him outside the zoo.
“Comes here for his treatment,” said Betsy, now with a superior smile. She was beginning to respect this old dear. “Tells me all his worries, an’ that. Running a place like that zoo is full of problems. Only recently, there’s been two accidents, one of them fatal, associated with it. A cleaning woman injured, and then one of the keepers killed. He’s got a lot of rare animals there, you know. Priceless, some of them. Not many left in the world. He gets them from all over and breeds them for posterity.”
“I hope he knows how to look after them! Some of the creatures bred in captivity are not so badly off, having known nothing else. But most animals brought in from the wild are lucky to last a year. Sad, isn’t it? Myself, I think a good dog and maybe a cat to keep the mice down are all one needs.”
“I dunno,” said Betsy. “I do fancy having one or two of ’em. He’s got some of them spectacled whatsits—like baby crocodiles—caimans, that’s it. You can hold them in the palm of your hand, and they’re real little darlings. I wouldn’t mind one of them.”
“But not if they’re going to die on you?”
“Oh, Petti can always get me another,” she said loftily. “Now, Mrs Jones, I’m going to turn you out. I’ve got a client coming in a few minutes, and he’ll not want to see I’ve got company! Bye-bye, dear. Been nice talking to you. Bye!”
*
Mrs Tollervey-Jones drove away with a smile on her face. She had been much amused by Betsy Brierley, and admired her confidence and lack of embarrassment.
“You could call it a service, I suppose,” she said aloud to herself in the driving mirror. What was it Pettison called her? Oh yes, Nursey! Wonderful. She decided to drive straight back to Farnden to report to Lois on her morning’s work.
When she drew up outside Meade House, she saw the unmistakable Inspector Cowgill getting into his car. He must have seen her approaching, as he stepped out again and came over to where she had halted.
“Good day, Mrs Tollervey-Jones,” he said. “I was hoping to have a word with you, but there was no one at home at Stone House. Are you free, by any chance?”
“So sorry, Inspector. I had an urgent request to visit someone in Tresham. But I could go back home and see you there for a short while. I have promised to have a talk with Mrs Meade, but half an hour would be fine.”
Women! thought the inspector. I’m surrounded by scheming women. My beloved Lois twists me round her little finger, and now this old duck is quacking about allowing me half an hour of her precious time. And I’m a famous detective! He laughed, shrugged and drove down to park outside Stone House and wait for Mrs Tollervey-Jones to join him.
*
“So what did he want, Lois? And your illustrious assistant?” Derek said. He had emerged from the sitting room, where the football match on television had just finished.
“Did they win?” asked Lois.
“Yes, four to one. Walked it. Now, answer my question, please.”
“Well, since you ask so nicely, Cowgill wanted to tell me about the dangers of dicing with the likes of Pettison. He also wanted to know all about Josie’s new tenant in the flat. Seemed very interested to know if he had been seen with Pettison, or if he mentioned his name. I was cagey, and said I wasn’t sure. But if he’s suspicious of Justin Brookes, there is every reason for us to be, too. I’m all for sending him packing, straightaway. He’s a bit overnice, if you ask me.”