Murder at the Maples: A Flora Lively Mystery Read Online Free Page A

doing what we’re doing and try harder. Work harder. We don’t need to change direction in the middle of the worst recession this country’s ever seen, and we don’t need wild ideas.’
    ‘It’s not a wild idea. It’s a proven business strategy – the company I ran back home did real well out of commercial storage and I think–’
    ‘I don’t want to hear it again, Marshall. And if you were doing so well “back home”, why are you still here? Why don’t you go back to the States and do us all a favour?’
    ‘Could you two, for once, for all our sakes, just give it a bloody rest? Could I just eat my pizza in peace and not have to listen to you two bickering for a couple of minutes?’
    Flora turned to Steve, outraged. ‘What do you mean? Just who the hell do you think you’re–’
    ‘Flora.’ Marshall’s hand was on her arm, his eyes twinkling. ‘Leave it, okay?’
    ‘No, it is not okay,’ she said, annoyed by how shaky her voice sounded. But she left it all the same, too angry to push it any further. There was so much wrong with Marshall’s plan she didn’t know where to start. And as for Steve …
    Stuart and Steve exchanged a glance. Their discomfort filled the warehouse the way the excess of testosterone had ten minutes ago.
    Biting back her anger, Flora squared her shoulders and thought about her dad. What would Peter Lively do right now? A major competitor muscling in; dissent amongst the ranks. The pub of course! A change of scene was just what they needed, and an extra supply of beer couldn’t hurt the boys’ mood either.
    Stuart and Steve brightened instantly, looking even more pleased when Flora said the drinks were on her. But as they were locking up, Marshall said, ‘I’ll give it a miss, okay? I’m not in the mood.’
    ‘Oh. Right.’ Flora tried to hide her disappointment. It wouldn’t do for Marshall to think she actually wanted him around, although a team-building exercise at the local pub didn’t seem like such a great idea without him.
    ‘What went wrong with your trip out?’ he asked over his shoulder, pulling down the metal shutter and slotting it into place in one smooth movement.
    ‘What do you mean?’
    ‘Earlier. You said you hadn’t had a very good day either.’
    Flora looked down at the back of Marshall’s head as he closed the padlock and took out the key. Should she tell him about Otto? He’d probably only make a joke of it.
    ‘What?’ Marshall stood and saw the look on Flora’s face. ‘Come on. I’ll walk up with you. You can tell me about it on the way.’
    Flora shrugged. Annoying though he was, it would be good to have someone to sound off to. Voicing her concerns about Joy might show her how silly they were.
    They walked up past the heavy commuter traffic, under the railway bridge, heading for the castle. As Flora spoke she was relieved to see Marshall’s face remain serious. ‘Poor old Joy,’ he said when she got to the part about finding Otto. ‘What a thing to happen.’
    ‘She’s convinced someone did it on purpose. I know, it’s totally crazy. Do you remember that old guy we moved in?’
    ‘They’re all old, Flora.’
    ‘Mr Felix, he was called.’
    ‘In a wheelchair?’
    ‘Not really. He can walk, he just uses one of those mobility scooters. Anyway, she’s convinced it was him. Wouldn’t say another word about it, just kept repeating over and over something about him “getting his revenge”.’
    ‘Wow. Heavy stuff. How did it happen, do you think?’
    Flora pulled a face. ‘Those blinds are actually quite dangerous. She had the cord looped up but it had fallen down, somehow. Accidents happen.’
    Marshall nodded solemnly. ‘If it was an accident, of course.’
    ‘What do you mean?’
    ‘Well, come on. Sleepy City is a pretty depressing place, even for a dog. And Joy was out all day with you, and Otto is there all on his own.’
    Flora stopped by the traffic lights and pressed the button to cross. ‘I wish you wouldn’t