Read Online Deathly Christmas by Irena Nieslony - Free Book Online

have to have this out after James left; and the sooner he went the better.
        The man is too young for her as well, thought David. What is he, mid-thirties? How can Eve do this, and right in front of me as well?  
    “Well,” James spoke slowly and clearly. “I’m afraid I don’t have great faith in the police finding my aunt’s killer. You did so much better than they did in the summer and I was wondering if you would help this time.”
    “I would love to,” Eve said quickly.
    “I don’t think it’s a good idea,” David interjected. “Eve nearly lost her life a few months ago. It’s too dangerous.”
    “Poppycock!” Eve exclaimed. “Take no notice of David. I’ll be fine. However, I did take a few too many risks in the summer; I will admit that. I will be more careful this time,” she said pointedly, looking at David.
    “If you’re sure...”
    David knew there was nothing he could do, except keep an eye on Eve. She had a mind of her own and would do whatever she wanted.
    “Well,” Eve continued. “Have the police given you any idea of who they think might have killed your aunt?
    “None whatsoever. I don’t think they have a clue. What about you?”
    “There seem to be very few suspects at the moment,” Eve said, shaking her head regrettably. “But it’s early days yet. Tomorrow night we’re all off to the posh Italian restaurant in Chania, so I shall be talking to people again. Hopefully I’ll be able to gather some more information. Are you coming, James?”
    “I don’t know,” he replied. “Betty asked me, but I don’t think so. It feels like I’ll be celebrating the Christmas season a little too much after my aunt’s death.”
    “I think it could be advantageous, James. Kevin, Lucy and Paul Fowler will all be there, so we can get their reactions to you. They weren’t at Betty’s party, so this will be the first time you’ll all meet.”
    “Very well, I’ll come,” James replied.” Would it be alright if I get a ride there with you? Betty offered me a lift if I went, but I’m finding her too overbearing. I do have a hire car, but I don’t know Chania at all and would probably get lost.”
    “That’ll be fine. We’ll pick you up at seven thirty,” Eve said straight away. “Oh, where are you staying?”  
        “The Sea View Rooms. Only place in the area I could find open at this time of year. But I’ll walk here. I like a bit of exercise.”
    “Fine, get here at about seven thirty then.”
    David, feeling like a spare part, went and saw James out.
    How dare Eve invite James to come with us? What about Robert and Alison?
    “Well, that went well, don’t you think, David? Talk about killing two birds with one stone! James wants me to help him solve the murder, plus I’m going to get him the ideal woman!”
    “What?” David exclaimed.
    “Jane, she’s crazy about James. We’ll give her a lift as well.”
    David shook his head, but he was relieved. At least Eve wasn’t interested in James herself as he feared, but why did she fancy herself as a matchmaker as well as an amateur sleuth? As far as he could see, James and Jane weren’t at all suited. Couldn’t Eve see that? Jane, despite having striking good looks, hadn’t been spoilt or damaged by them and was a sweet, gentle girl, while James was a man of the world and thought too much of himself. This could only end in disaster. And why wouldn’t Eve give up these silly notions of solving the murder? Had she forgotten what happened in the summer? All she could recall were the exciting parts, not the dangerous and life-threatening ones. What was he going to do with her?   
    * * * *
    The following day Eve invited Jane to come over at five to start having her make-over. She knew it would take at least two hours, if not a little more.
    Alison had said that she and Robert would travel into Chania that evening in Betty and Don’s car, which had pleased her aunt no end. Betty was still smarting from the