The Lawley Case Read online

He nodded. “It’s one thing to complain about a bad meal and hope to get it taken off your bill, but those sorts of things are getting dangerously close to criminal. Let’s hope they learned a lesson from their stay here and that they will mend their ways.”

  “I’m just glad they’re gone. If they ever try to book again, we’ll be full,” Joan said firmly.

  Robert ate a few more biscuits while the trio talked about people and why they treated other people so badly. When he was done, the sisters walked him to the door.

  “Thank you for your help in stopping Nick and his friends,” Robert said to Janet. “Jasper might not be my favourite person, but I’d hate to see him cheated by his own son.”

  Janet watched as Robert walked down to his car. She didn’t understand how people could deliberately cheat one another, but she had a bigger worry on her mind. Why hadn’t Aggie reacted to Nick’s name in the same way she had to Jim’s and Joseph’s?

  “We need to have a chat,” she told Aggie a short while later.

  Aggie, who was stretched out on Janet’s bed, simply opened one eye and then squeezed it shut again.

  I still don’t know exactly what Stuart overheard at the garden centre, but at least, thanks to his (somewhat misplaced) concerns, three criminals are behind bars. As I’ve still not been able to reach Gretchen Falkirk, I’ve been back to visit Martin again. He couldn’t tell me any more about Alberta, but he did share some history of Doveby Dale that was fascinating. I’ve taken to calling the entire thing “The Lawley Case” in his honour.

  I wish I knew why Aggie got this one so wrong, but she refuses to discuss the matter. I shall be more careful, going forward, when discussing cases with her, I suppose.

  We still have no idea what scared away the Armstrongs, but Joan and I are both glad they went. Joan insisted on giving some of the money that they overpaid us to Todd and Ted to cover for the meal that they managed to get for free from them. We would probably do the same for the restaurant in Derby if we had any idea which restaurant it was, but there are simply too many possibilities.

  Joan and I are delighted that you are thinking of visiting us later this year. Just let us know when you are coming and we’ll cancel any guests we may have scheduled. It would be especially nice if Doona could come with you. Joan and I would both enjoy seeing her again. Do let us know your plans.

  All my very best wishes,

  Janet and Aggie

  Glossary of Terms

  bin — trash can

  biscuits — cookies

  booking — reservation

  boot — trunk (of a car)

  car park — parking lot

  chemist — pharmacist

  chips — French fries

  cuppa — cup of tea (informal)

  fizzy drink — carbonated beverage (pop or soda)

  fortnight — two weeks

  glove box — glove compartment

  holiday — vacation

  lie in — sleep late

  midday — noon

  pavement — sidewalk

  pudding — dessert

  saloon car — sedan

  shopping trolley — shopping cart

  telly — television

  till — checkout (in a grocery store, for example)

  torch — flashlight

  Other Notes

  In the UK, dates are written day, month, year rather than month, day, year as in the US. (May 5, 2015 would be written 5 May 2015, for example.)

  In the UK, when describing property with more than one level, the lowest level (assuming there is no basement; very few UK houses have basements) is the “ground floor,” and the next floor up is the “first floor” and so on. In the US, the lowest floor is usually the “first floor” and up from there.

  When telling time, half six is the English equivalent of six-thirty.

  A “full English breakfast” generally consists of bacon, sausage, eggs, grilled or fried tomatoes, fried potatoes, fried mushrooms and baked beans served with toast.

  A semi-detached house is one that is joined to another house by a common center wall. In the US they are generally called duplexes. In the UK the two properties would be sold individually as totally separate entities. A “terraced” house is one in a row of properties, where each unit is sold individually (usually called a row house in the US).

  Acknowledgments

  Thank you, readers, for continuing on this journey with me.

  Thanks to my wonderful editor, Denise, for still putting up with me even after all these books.

  And thanks to my beta reading team – your help is greatly appreciated.

  The Moody Case

  Release Date: June 15, 2018

  Janet and Joan Markham are on a routine trip to the supermarket when their car gets hit from behind. When the man who hit them doesn’t want to provide his name or insurance details, Janet rings her friend, Constable Robert Parsons. Robert fills out an accident report and that should be the end of that.

  Meanwhile, the sisters have two single men as guests at their bed and breakfast. The guests don’t appear to know one another, but they share a few peculiarities. The one that bothers Joan is that neither of them ever wants any breakfast.

  While their car is being repaired, Janet borrows a sporty red coupe from the local garage. She loves driving it, but when she gets stuck in heavy traffic as the result of an accident, she’s shocked to discover that one of their guests is involved. A few days later a second accident, this time involving their other guest, leaves Janet wondering if there might be something criminal going on.

  Can Janet work out what’s really going on? Neither guest is talking. More importantly, can Janet find a way to convince Joan to let her buy the little red car?

  Also by Diana Xarissa

  The Isle of Man Cozy Mystery Series

  Aunt Bessie Assumes

  Aunt Bessie Believes

  Aunt Bessie Considers

  Aunt Bessie Decides

  Aunt Bessie Enjoys

  Aunt Bessie Finds

  Aunt Bessie Goes

  Aunt Bessie’s Holiday

  Aunt Bessie Invites

  Aunt Bessie Joins

  Aunt Bessie Knows

  Aunt Bessie Likes

  Aunt Bessie Meets

  Aunt Bessie Needs

  Aunt Bessie Observes

  Aunt Bessie Provides

  Aunt Bessie Questions

  Aunt Bessie Remembers

  The Isle of Man Ghostly Cozy Mysteries

  Arrivals and Arrests

  Boats and Bad Guys

  Cars and Cold Cases

  Dogs and Danger

  Encounters and Enemies

  Friends and Frauds

  Guests and Guilt

  The Markham Sisters Cozy Mystery Novellas

  The Appleton Case

  The Bennett Case

  The Chalmers Case

  The Donaldson Case

  The Ellsworth Case

  The Fenton Case

  The Green Case

  The Hampton Case

  The Irwin Case

  The Jackson Case

  The Kingston Case

  The Lawley Case

  The Moody Case

  The Isle of Man Romance Series

  Island Escape

  Island Inheritance

  Island Heritage

  Island Christmas

  About the Author

  Diana grew up in Northwestern Pennsylvania and moved to Washington, DC after college. There she met a wonderful Englishman who was visiting the city. After a whirlwind romance, they got married and Diana moved to the Chesterfield area of Derbyshire to begin a new life with her husband. A short while later, they relocated to the Isle of Man.

  After over ten years on the island, it was time for a change. With their two children in tow, Diana and her husband moved to suburbs of Buffalo, New York. Diana now spends her days writing about the island she loves.

  She also writes mystery/thrillers set in the not-to
o-distant future as Diana X. Dunn and middle grade and YA books as D.X. Dunn.

  Diana is always happy to hear from readers. You can write to her at:

  Diana Xarissa Dunn

  PO Box 72

  Clarence, NY 14031.

  Find Diana at:

  www.dianaxarissa.com

  [email protected]