There was no one at the house when they arrived home. Joan fixed a quick lunch and then rang the police station. Janet could only hear Joan’s end of the conversation, which was short. “Hello, Susan, how are you?” Joan began. “Yes, well I’d be ever so grateful if you’d ask Robert to ring or stop by Doveby House when he has a minute.” “Yes, thank you.” When she disconnected, she smiled at Janet. “She’s going to ask him stop by,” she told her. “He’s out with the investigator from Derby now.” “He isn’t going to bring the investigator here, is he?” Janet demanded. “She didn’t say,” Joan said. Joan seemed unconcerned, but Janet wasn’t sure the investigator from Derby would appreciate their interfering in the case. As it happened, it was only Robert who turned up a short time later. “Good afternoon,” he said. “What can I do for you ladies today?” Joan insisted on fixing him a cup of tea. She’d piled dozens of biscuits on a plate before he’d arrived and now she urged him to take several. Once he was settled in with his snack, Joan began.
