In the village of Oakvale-On-Roe – (007) The Housekeeper

 

Steph was born and raised in Oakvale and knew Kitty very well but only knew Toby a little from Church, but she knew that she made him feel uncomfortable and she liked that.

Steph walked into the kitchen and found them sitting at the kitchen table and Toby was holding Kitty’s hand, consoling her.

“Hello Kitty” she said and then to the curate “Hello…should I address you as Father or Dear?”

“Urm… ur… either would be appropriate” he replied and she smiled to herself that she had hit her mark and then turned her attention back to Kitty.

“I’m sorry Kitty but I need to take a statement”

After explaining in detail how she came to find him dead she added

“And I can tell you exactly who did it”

“Who’s that?” Steph asked

“The secretary” Kitty replied “Miss Hope”

“What makes you say that?”

“I saw her in his room” she said

“When was this?”

“This morning, she was sitting on his bed in her…underwear” Kitty replied

“And you’re sure it was her?”

“Oh yes”

“You saw her face?”

“Well, no, she had her back to me, but I know it was her; I would recognise that tarty blonde hair anywhere” she said

“Why were you in his room?” DS Baldwin asked

“I always clean his room on Monday morning” she replied

“Always?”

“Always, every week” Kitty confirmed

“At the same time?”

“Yes, 9 o’clock every week”

Being a villager herself, Steph knew the family circumstance, so she asked

“So, anyone who was familiar with the household would know that?” and Kitty nodded

“So, tell me exactly what happened when you opened the door”

“Well, I saw her, on the bed the moment I opened it, and saw that tart on the bed”

“Sitting?”

“Well, more kneeling, on her haunches kind of thing” Kitty explained

“And you could see Mr Mackay?”

“No, she was in the way, but I heard him” she said

“What do you mean?” Steph asked

“Well as soon as I opened the door, he said, “NOT NOW” so I closed the door and came downstairs again” Kitty explained

“Did you hear her leave?”

“No, I didn’t, I was a bit cross to be honest, so I came in here and put the radio on” she replied

“Ok thanks Kitty” Steph said and then addressed the Curate

“Will you look after her…Dear?”