Scandal at Six(96)

Cowgill nodded. “Of course, in our investigations, we discovered Brookes senior’s part in what had been set up by Pettison, but perhaps on compassionate grounds we shall have no need to make that public, except in our own records. I’m afraid Justin’s part in the whole thing is different. He handled the rare animals and sheltered them until they were passed on. Pettison gave him a cut of his profits. Justin Brookes has broken the law, and will have to go to trial and accept his punishment.”

“Oh dear, that means Josie will have to find another tenant.”

“Not difficult, I’m sure. It is a nice little flat, if you don’t know about the reptiles.”

“Is that a joke? Not funny. Shall I carry on?”

“Sorry! Yes, please, carry on.”

“Right. First, Pettison had made a lot of money. It was a lucrative business, and he had built up his private zoo as a result. Everything aboveboard there. Regular inspections found nothing wrong, and in fact it was considered a well-run place, and an asset to the locality. Second, Pettison knew quite well what he was doing in the illegal side of his business. Justin was paid to keep quiet, and only animals that were not rare, or had been bred in captivity, were on show in the zoo. The others were kept out of sight and passed on to customers as quickly as possible. He had quite a mailing list of clients and worked on orders only.”

“What about the Brierleys? They were both involved, weren’t they? Certainly, they were in contact with Justin. And she was responsible for the death of those dear little baby elephants!”

“Oh yes, we’ve always known Betsy was a help to Pettison in more ways than one. We’re not sure about Ted, but he must have known what was going on with the strange animals Betsy brought home on occasion.”

“I remember you saying,” Lois said slowly, “that you weren’t taking Betsy in for questioning, because you wanted to get the head of the snake. What exactly did you mean?”

Cowgill sighed. “I did say that, I know. And I see now that I was wrong. My idea was that as long as Pettison didn’t suspect we were on to him, very close on his tail, we stood a good chance of catching him in an illegal act. But if Betsy had twigged and been able to warn him, he was clever enough to destroy all his records and do enough to make it very difficult for us to make a good case against him. It never occurred to me that he would be killed first.”

“And now, could it have been an accident? Who was that care attendant who drove him to Farnden and then took him behind the shop to look at a hive full of killer bees? No official volunteer drivers would have done that.”

“Right as ever, my dear Lois. We are well on the way to discovering who he was. I won’t keep you much longer, my dear. You are looking exhausted, and should go home to have a good rest. I wouldn’t have asked you to come in if I’d known.”

“So what else, Cowgill? I’m still wide awake.”

“Justin and Betsy? I understand there’s something between them, running the zoo while Pettison was out of action?”

Lois nodded. “Mm, but nothing more than that, I think. I actually think he fancies my daughter. I’m good at seeing the signs of a predatory male.”

Cowgill smiled at her. “Oh dear,” he said. “Does it show?”

“Back to business,” said Lois sternly. “There is one more thing Justin said. The lower half door to the pigsty was locked, and he opened it reluctantly, leaving the key in the padlock. The mystery attendant pushed Pettison in, then almost immediately ran out, shut the door and locked him in, and, as Justin discovered, took the key with him. That’s why he couldn’t get Pettison out quickly enough. Justin hasn’t forgiven himself for that.”

“So we’re looking for a heavily wrapped-up driver with an adapted vehicle, and a padlock key in his pocket? Shouldn’t be too difficult to trace.”

“And, surely, one who had evil intentions towards Pettison. And who knew the bees were killers. That narrows it down,” said Lois. “I must go now. Gran is still cross with me, and if I’m late for tea she’ll kill me. Oh God,” she said, putting her hand to her mouth. “I shouldn’t have said that. Sorry. I’m off. Bye.”



*



It should have been easy to trace a specially adapted taxi and its driver, but when Cowgill instigated the search, it proved more difficult. There was only one hire company in Tresham owning a specially adapted vehicle, and that was in a repair shop, being overhauled to have new harnesses fitted. He directed a search further afield, and then packed up and went home.