Deadly Investment (A Fitzjohn Mystery Book 5) by Jill Paterson Page A

Beatrice’s memorial service. This is Max’s home address and telephone number.’ Alison wrote on a card and handed it to Fitzjohn. ‘Whether you’ll find him there, I can’t say. I haven’t been in contact with him since his suspension because I’ve been trying to decide which course of action Beatrice would have taken next. An audit I suppose.’ Alison gave a harried look.
    ‘Thank you,’ replied Fitzjohn, taking the card and handing it to Betts. ‘We’ll have a word with him but before we do, perhaps you can tell us what you know about Preston Alexander.’
    ‘Actually, I know very little other than the fact that he was the uncle of Portland Moore, one of Beatrice’s clients. If I’m not mistaken, that’s how he became involved with us.’
    ‘So, was his only participation in the agency financial?’
    ‘Yes. Other than attending some of the functions we hold throughout the year. Literary luncheons, the Christmas party. That sort of thing. And he did drop in to see Beatrice from time to time. But I don’t believe he had anything to do with anyone else, other than Max, of course.’
    ‘When was the last time he came in, Ms Maybrick?’
    ‘It would have been last Monday, around noon. I can’t help but think that Beatrice had asked him to come in so that she could tell him about the discrepancies in the accounts.’
    ‘Do you know what happened while he was here?’
    ‘Only that he and Beatrice spoke in her office for about half an hour before he went off to speak to Max. Obviously, he’d have been worried about his investment.’ Alison paused to flick a piece of lint from her sleeve. “I’m sorry that I can’t be of more help to you, Chief Inspector, but as I wasn’t here at the time...’
    ‘Perhaps the members of staff who were here can add to what you’ve told us, Ms Maybrick. How many are there, by the way?’
    ‘With Beatrice gone, we have five. Three agents, Giles, Max and myself. Our Office Manager, Fiona Worth, whom you’ve met, and Olive Glossop, our agent’s assistant. Unfortunately, there’s only Fiona in at the moment. Would you like to speak to her? I can take you along to her office.’
    ‘Thank you,’ said Fitzjohn.
    With the old oak floorboards creaking under their weight, Fitzjohn and Betts followed Alison deeper into the house until she stopped in an open doorway at the far end of the hall. In contrast to the other rooms in the house, Fiona Worth’s office was devoid of the heavy dark red velvet wallpaper, instead its walls were painted an off white that reflected the natural light coming in through a large plate glass window. She looked up and smiled when the Fitzjohn and Betts appeared next to Alison.
    ‘Fiona, these police officers would like to ask you a few questions. Would you mind?’
    ‘No, not at all. Please, come in.’
    As Fitzjohn and Betts walked into the room and sat down, Alison disappeared while Fiona sat back in her chair, her eyes darting between Fitzjohn and Betts.
    ‘We understand that you’re the agency’s office manager, Ms Worth,’ said Fitzjohn, settling himself.
    ‘That’s right. I’ve been here almost three months now. Before that, I worked for another agency in Chatswood.’
    ‘And how do you find your new position?’ asked Fitzjohn.
    ‘Everything was going along fine until last Monday when Max Ziegler was suspended and Beatrice passed away. And now, I understand that Preston Alexander has been… murdered.’ Fiona hesitated. ‘To tell you the truth, Chief Inspector, I’m feeling rather low at the moment.’
    ‘That’s not surprising, Ms Worth. It’s a lot to cope with. Can I ask whether you plan to remain at the agency?’
    ‘That depends. Now that Beatrice and Preston are both gone, the business could fold altogether. You know that Preston was the agency’s financial backer, don’t you?’
    ‘Yes, and because we’re investigating his death, we’re here to try to find out how involved he was in the