This excerpt is from the book entitled The Goat Parva Murders an English Murder Mystery book set in the countryside, starring two policemen who have been working together for a few years and get along really well. There’s lots of dialogue and banter with some humour thrown in amongst the murders and suspects.
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Knowles looked at Barnes and wondered how he would react when he first saw Danica Baker-Clements. He’d probably stammer and play with the knot of his tie, which is what he normally did under pressure. Knowles didn’t have long to find out.
She opened the door almost as though she was expecting them. She’d just had a shower and had her hair in a towel as she’d just washed it. The thin red bathing robe didn’t hide her curves very well. Her face was still beautiful even without makeup. Barnes stared at her and then looked at Knowles, blew out his cheeks, and loosened the knot of his tie. Knowles looked at the floor and almost suppressed a grin.
“Gentlemen, am I double-booked? I don’t remember either of you making arrangements to see me. Have you just come on the off-chance?”
“No Mrs Baker-Clements, I am Inspector Knowles from Scoresby CID and this is my sergeant Rod Barnes – we are here to ask you a few questions – do you have time?”
Danica glanced at the clock.
“I have a friend coming around 3pm, so we have plenty of time for questions and other things if we can fit them in.”
She winked at Barnes who flushed bright red.
“Let’s go into the lounge and get comfortable shall we?”
Knowles waited for Danica Baker-Clements to sit down before positioning himself opposite her. Barnes had sat down first and so was very close to the lady of the house.
“So Mrs Mrs Baker-Clem Clements,” began Barnes.
Danica Baker-Clements leant forward and touched Barnes on the arm – “Danica, call me Danica, Sergeant Barnes.”
“Danic Danica, is your husband in, is he around?”
“Roger, I have found that not to be an apt name by the way, hasn’t been ‘in’ for about a month. He’s an investment banker and is ‘in’ America setting up some new branches for the firm. I am here all alone Sergeant, what should a girl do to occupy herself?”
