Read Online Death on a Short Leash by Gwendolyn Southin - Free Book Online Page B

Maggie answered.
    â€œWould this Friday, October 2, be okay?”
    â€œThat would be good.”
    â€¢ • •
    THEY ARIVED BREATHLESS from walking up the stairs—the elevator was out of order again—and Maggie gave them a few minutes to recover before gathering up her notepad and pencils and ushering them into Nat’s office. As was his habit, he took his time, slowly pulling a yellow pad toward him and picking up his fountain pen, which he gently rolled between his fingers before addressing the couple. “Are you really sure that you want us to continue the investigation?”
    â€œYes,” David Evans answered in his soft Welsh accent, looking toward his wife. “We have heard nothing from the police.”
    â€œYes,” Marie added. To Maggie, she seemed even thinner than the last time they had met. “We need answers, Mr. Southby, and Henny said you would get them for us.”
    â€œAnd the trail is getting freezing,” Henny said from where she stood in the open doorway.
    Nat put a hand over his mouth to hide the smile. “I see what you mean. But with the trail this cold, it could take us just as long as the police,” he explained. “In fact, we can’t guarantee results either, and it’s going to cost you money.”
    â€œWe have talked it over,” Evans said, very determinedly. “And what good is our life or our business without our daughter? You find the killer for us.”
    â€œWhat kind of business are you in?” Maggie asked.
    â€œI have a shoe repair shop,” Evans replied. “It’s attached to the house.”
    â€œAnd I sometime look after the house of Mr. Peterskill,” said Marie. “He and his wife come up to the coast some weekends. They build a big new house.”
    â€œPeterskill?” Nat asked, glancing at Maggie. “I’ve heard that name before. What business is he in?”
    Marie shook her head. “I don’t know. He seems to have the finger in lots of pies. But he is kind to Johanna.”
    â€œIn what way?” Nat asked.
    â€œHe owns that apartment block,” David cut in. “And he let her stay there on reduced rent until she had finished her veterinary course.”
    â€œAnd got her the job with Dr. Williams,” Marie added.
    â€œWhat about Johanna’s job at the nightclub?” Nat asked tentatively.
    â€œAs a waitress,” Marie said firmly. “I don’t understand why she would work in a nightclub. There’s lots of nice restaurants . . .”
    Nat glanced sharply at Marie Evans. “But she was a . . .”
    â€œYou will need to ask questions there,” David Evans interrupted, giving Nat a slight shake of his head.
    â€œOf course,” Nat responded.
    â€œDid she mention some kennels in Abbotsford?” Maggie asked, to change the subject. “Both Sandra and Hans said that she was going to look at some kennels there that weekend.”
    The Evanses shook their heads. “Johanna never mentioned kennels,” Marie said.
    â€œWould your daughter have been interested in a commune?”
    Nat asked.
    â€œDefinitely not,” David answered.
    â€œPlease,” Marie asked, “what is a commune?”
    â€œA place where men, women and children live together as one big family,” her husband explained.
    â€œWhy would our Johanna go to such a place?” Marie demanded.
    â€œI’ve no idea,” Nat said. “But now that you want us to continue, we’ll go to Abbotsford and see if we can find these kennels. Unfortunately, as we said earlier, the trail is cold, but we’ll do our best.” He stood up. “We’ll need this Peterskill’s city address, along with anyone else’s you can think of.”
    â€œHe lives somewhere on the north shore,” Evans answered, “but he has an office on Georgia. Apart from Marie’s sister, you have met everyone else.” He leaned