Read Online Murder in the Blood by Lesley Cookman - Free Book Online

hand to each of them.
    â€˜How did the consulate persuade the Jandarma to give you their co-operation?’ asked Fran.
    Johnny’s wide smile almost split his face in half. ‘Because I was part of a team that came out here to train them years ago. I’ve kept my links. I’m actually staying with a rather senior member of the force in Antalya. Lucky, huh?’
    â€˜What a coincidence,’ said Libby.
    â€˜Don’t knock it. Coincidences happen far more in real life than they ever do in films or books.’ He stood up. ‘I’m going to get a beer. Would either of you like anything?’
    They both refused, and watched as he made his way to the bar. Medium height, rather shabby shorts and shirt, with grizzled grey hair and a bit of a paunch, he looked like any other middle-aged man on holiday.
    â€˜I wonder what he trained them in?’ murmured Libby.
    â€˜Let’s hope it was detection,’ whispered Fran.
    â€˜Right.’ He returned to the table with a bottle and glass. ‘Now, Martha tells me you have a bit of a reputation. Care to tell me?’
    Libby cast an anguished glance at her friend.
    â€˜I don’t know that you’ll approve,’ said Fran calmly, ‘but we’ve been involved in a few cases in England. Strictly unofficially, of course.’
    Shrewd grey eyes surveyed her. ‘I expect I could find out if you don’t want to tell me.’
    â€˜You’re actually still in the police force?’ asked Libby.
    â€˜Oh, yes.’
    â€˜Not the Met, though?’
    â€˜I didn’t say that, did I?’ He laughed and carefully poured his beer into the glass. ‘Yes, still with the Met. So, as I said, I expect I could find out …’
    â€˜Oh, we’ll tell you,’ said Libby. ‘You see it all began …’
    Over the next twenty minutes they related the bare bones of some of their adventures.
    â€˜You’ve been lucky,’ said Johnny Smith when they’d finished. ‘I know forces who would have kicked your butts long before now.’
    â€˜Which is why we haven’t said much about our wonderful local police.’ Fran took a sip from her glass and looked away.
    â€˜Tell me,’ said Johnny, after a moment. ‘Is there a reason you get involved? Are you used as specialists in some area?’
    Libby looked quickly at Fran, opened her mouth, and closed it again.
    â€˜No,’ said Fran coolly.
    Johnny grunted and finished his beer. ‘Right. Tell me what you’ve found out about these murders.’
    â€˜We haven’t found anything out,’ said Libby. ‘But we were there when the first body was discovered.’
    â€˜By the way,’ said Fran, still cool, ‘we only have your word for it that you’re who you say you are.’
    The wide smile broke out again. ‘I wondered how long it would take you.’ He pulled a wallet out of his shorts pocket. ‘Here. And I’ve got a letter from the consulate, but it’s in Turkish.’
    Fran picked up the wallet and held it open for Libby to see. They both gasped. Commander J D Smith was shown in uniform, looking a good deal smarter than he did slouching in the chair opposite.
    â€˜Sorry.’ Libby felt herself flushing.
    â€˜What for? Not asking?’ He laughed. ‘Well, now we’re straight. What can you tell me?’
    They told him everything, from finding Alec Wilson’s body and Neal Parnham’s recognition of him, to their suspicion that Geoff and Christine Croker knew who they were.
    â€˜Hmm. Homophobia rife, then, is it?’ Johnny leant back in his chair and scratched his chin. ‘Lot of it at home, still, but mostly undercover.’
    â€˜Yes, we’ve come across it,’ said Libby. ‘Two of the friends we’re on holiday with have had to deal with it personally and professionally.’
    â€˜They part of the community here?’
    â€˜Oh, no, but