Finders Keepers by Edie Baylis (epub ebook reader txt) 📕

The last couple of weeks had been so confusing and difficult, Teagan felt drawn to Joe. Not in the way she used to be, but by his familiarity. Right now she needed someone around her that she didn’t need to second guess. Although Robert had been less abrasive since Helen’s murder, she couldn’t talk to him – not about most of the things that were bothering her.

‘Thanks for coming. I really appreciate it. Are you joining us at the pub?’ Joe asked as the small group walked away from the graveside. ‘I mean, I know you said you didn’t want to see me again, but being as it’s the wake, I...’

‘I’ll join you, yes,’ Teagan said. ‘It will do me good to be out of the house for a while.’

‘The house? Are you back there already?’ Joe asked. ‘I wasn’t even sure whether you’d still be needed.’

Teagan walked beside Joe, glad that the handful of others were some distance ahead. ‘I’m not sure what’s going on. We’re both still at Robert’s, but I don’t know whether Dulcie will want to return to Footlights, or whether she’ll want me there if she does.’ She turned to Joe. ‘I really should apologize, Joe. When I first saw that man running out of the house, my first instinct was that it was something to do with you.’

Joe burnt inside. ‘Me? I told you all of that other business was sorted,’ he lied. ‘I said I was sorry and...’

‘Hey,’ Teagan raised a hand. ‘I know that. It just went through my mind. I realise you’d never have done that.’

‘No, I wouldn’t,’ Joe said, only wishing that was true. Sickness ate away at his insides. ‘Do the police know who it was yet?’ he asked, dreading the answer.

Teagan shrugged. ‘They’ve all but admitted they haven’t got a clue. Dulcie put together a photofit of the man she saw, but I don’t know how much help it’s been. I couldn’t add much because I only got a glimpse as he left the house. As far as I know they haven’t arrested anyone.’ She lowered her voice. ‘Robert thinks it’s all to do with Helen and that she was involved with lots of things no one knew about.’

Joe hoped his frown looked convincing. ‘She certainly was a dark horse.’ Stopping, he placed his hands on Teagan’s shoulders. ‘I know we’re no longer together, but I was still terrified for you when I heard what had happened.’ Did that sound sincere enough? He hoped so because his main fear was of something happening to him rather than her. He needed info. ‘Did... did these people take anything?’

Teagan shivered involuntarily. ‘Not as far as I know, but they were definitely looking for something.’

Joe frowned. He’d love to know what had been lifted from that house, courtesy of the keys he’d supplied and what all this nightmare had been about in the first place.

‘I mean, the place had been turned over by those... those scum, whoever they were, but Dulcie didn’t seem to think anything was missing. Although saying that, the place was such a mess, she didn’t have much chance to look before we went to Robert’s.’ Teagan pursed her lips. ‘Do you know, it’s funny because out of all of Dulcie’s beautiful things that got ruined, the only thing she was bothered about was a little box that she didn’t want the police finding. She’s given it to me to look after until everything’s sorted.’

Joe’s skin bristled. ‘Oh? What is it then?’

Teagan hesitated. ‘Just personal stuff.’

‘Haven’t you looked?’

Teagan stared at Joe incredulously. ‘Looked? Of course not. I’ve broken enough of that woman’s trust already thinking I was doing the right thing with what I told Helen, without snooping through her stuff as well!’

She glanced around furtively. ‘I shouldn’t be telling you this, but I’ve got to tell someone. I feel dreadful because I can’t say anything to Robert.’ She watched Joe nod in sympathy. ‘Robert has a different father to Helen - a man from where Dulcie used to work. She was planning on running away with him, but he never came back. Dulcie thinks he must have been killed. It’s so sad.’ She shook her head. ‘Anyway, this box contains stuff from Robert’s father – love letters or something. The thing is, Robert doesn’t know. Not yet, anyway.’

Teagan glanced at Joe. ‘That’s why she’s given it to me. If the police or Robert found the box then everything would come out and as I’m sure you appreciate, she didn’t want Robert to find out that way.’ She suddenly looked weary. ‘Oh God, Joe. I feel so bad for Dulcie. Fancy all of this happening. It doesn’t bear thinking about. I don’t know how I’ll feel if I’m not needed anymore. It might sound daft, but I’m so attached to the old lady. She feels so much more to me than a client.’

‘I’m sure it will all work out,’ Joe muttered, his heart racing as they continued walking towards the pub.

HEARING THE FRONT DOOR SHUT, Dulcie looked up. ‘Is that you, dear?’ she called.

‘Yes, it’s only me.’ Taking her jacket off, Teagan placed it on the coat stand and walked into the lounge where Dulcie sat on the sofa, a book perched on her lap. ‘Where’s Robert?’ she asked, immediately spotting Robert wasn’t in his customary position at the computer desk wedged in the corner of the room. Alarm rang through her. Surely he hadn’t gone out and left Dulcie on her own?

Dulcie patted the seat next to her. ‘What are you flapping for?’ she laughed. ‘Robert’s in the shower. I think he wanted to get away from me.’ She raised her eyebrows. ‘But don’t mind him. Tell me how it went. Did it go ok?’

Teagan nodded. ‘As funerals go, it went ok I suppose.’

‘And from the smell of you, you had a few drinks in this young man’s memory?’ Dulcie smiled.

Teagan