The Last Reading (Storage Ghost Murders Book 1) by Gillian Larkin Page B

laptop. It was
still on the last page, I think that’s what the policeman said. It showed all
the personal details of the last person that was sitting with Autumn Rose. You
should have seen what was on there! Nothing is private anymore. No wonder she
knew so much about everyone.”
    Grace
finished one half of her sandwich. “Did he see what happened on the steps? Did
he see who might of pushed her?”
    Mae
pressed her lips together and shook her head. “He said that Autumn Rose kept
drinking from a glass of water on the table, he said that was unusual because
she always took her own bottle of water. He was surprised when she told the
next person in the queue that she needed the toilet, she was able to sit at
that table all day without feeling the urge to go.”
    “Lucky
woman,” Grace muttered. She picked up the second half of her sandwich.
    “Despite
being a conman, Noah said he turned the camera and sound off when Autumn Rose
went into the ladies’ room upstairs. He said he wanted to give her some
privacy. He waited a few minutes and turned the camera and sound back on. He
saw a hand move towards the camera and then it went blank. He heard someone
muttering but couldn’t tell if it was male or female.”
    “Did
the police find the necklace?”
    “Yes,
near the new curtains,” Mae said with a small smile. “There’s more. A police
constable went to look for the glass on Autumn Rose’s table, probably to check
for drugs.”
    “You
can buy tablets that make you go to the toilet more,” Grace said.
    Mae
frowned. “Why would anyone want to do that?”
    Grace’s
cheeks felt warm. “You know, for when you feel bloated, at certain times of the
month.”
    Comprehension
dawned at Mae. She laughed. “Well, I didn’t know that. Anyway, the glass had
gone. If someone had put something in the water to make her go to the toilet,
they’ve taken the evidence with them. I suspect that the murderer left the
building before the police arrived.”
    Mae
and Grace looked at each other. Mae said, “What are we going to do now?”
    Grace
put her sandwich down, her appetite had gone. A sad feeling settled in her
stomach.
    She
said, “I’m sorry, Mae, I can’t do this anymore.”
     
     

Chapter 19
     
    Mae
put her hand out sending a cold shiver up Grace’s arm. “Grace, what is it? I
can feel your sadness.”
    Grace
put her plate on the floor. “I’m useless at this sort of thing. I can’t
confront people, I can’t look for clues. I had heart palpitations when I was in
your house uninvited! I should have been asking Quentin where he was at the
time of your death. I was too busy stuffing my face with cake.”
    “What
happened in your life to make you have such little confidence?”
    Grace
shrugged. “I’m not a brave person, I don’t thrive on adventure. I’d rather be
at home every night.”
    “There’s
nothing wrong with that, thousands do it. I’ve travelled around the world but I
was always happiest when I came home and sat in my armchair with a cup of tea
at my side. You’ve got a gift, Grace, you can see people who’ve passed over.
You’re braver than you realise. I’ve put you out asking for help but you
haven’t complained, you just got on with it. Quiet determination is worth more
than reckless bravery.”
    Grace
was silent for a moment. “I suppose there is some truth in that. I do like
helping people. But I don’t know how I can help you. I’m at a dead end, sorry,
you know what I mean.”
    Mae
waved her hand dismissively. “When you can’t go forwards turn around and look
at where you’ve been, you might have missed something. It’s not just you who’s
trying to work this mystery out, it’s me too, we’re in this together.”
    Grace
smiled. “Thanks, you’re good with people.”
    “I
know.” Mae gave her a grin. “Let’s go over what we do know. I can’t remember
much about my death but we know I was pushed. We know that someone tried to
find something on my person. What were