The door opened, the hinges protesting, and Janet Beckett entered backwards with a tray held in front of her. Tom put his mobile away and crossed to assist, taking the tray from her and carrying it to the coffee table. It was heavy. How she'd managed it, he wasn't sure. Setting it down, he saw there were three cups and the same number of side plates, spoons and an assortment of shop-bought cakes alongside the teapot.
"Are you expecting someone?" he asked.
"Oh yes. Justin is on his way over now. I telephoned him and he was keen to join us," Janet said, smiling warmly. The smile faded. "That is okay, isn't it?"
"Yes, of course."
He sat back down and Janet leaned forward from her chair, adding milk from a small china jug into two of the cups. She spoke without making eye contact, almost as an afterthought.
"I presumed you would like milk, Inspector Janssen."
"Yes, thank you."
"Good. I can't abide black tea myself, either. Even those flavoured teas are dreadful," she said, setting a cup and saucer down in front of him and pouring tea into the cup. "Mary was quite partial to the fruit-flavoured green teas, but not for me. Sugar?"
He shook his head, smiling. "No, thank you. Just the milk will be fine."
She passed him the cup and saucer, her hand wobbling as she did so. He wasn't sure if that was the strain of the weight being at an awkward angle or if she had motor function issues. She seemed in quite good health, so he guessed it was the former. He took the proffered cup, placing it down in front of him. He took out his notebook.
"Mrs Beckett, I'd like to run a few—"
"Cake?" she asked, smiling broadly and reaching for the dinner plate with a dozen or so mini cakes arranged neatly on it.
He shook his head. "No, thank you."
"Oh, you must. A big, strong man like yourself needs the calories."
He was about to decline once more when they both heard a car pull up outside. Janet rose and looked out through the bay window overlooking the driveway.
"Here's Justin."
Tom thought that was swift. He hadn't even been that quick to get here on the night his aunt's body was recovered from the sea. Janet sat down. She seemed more relaxed now. Previously, he had the impression she was going through the motions by presenting the façade of hospitality. Not that her efforts were necessarily disingenuous, but she seemed on edge. Then again, her sister, the person she had a strangely symbiotic adult relationship with, had just been murdered. Moments later, Justin entered the room, a sheen of perspiration on his head and looking more red-faced than on the last time they'd met suggesting to Tom the man needed to have his blood pressure levels checked.
"Inspector Janssen," Justin said, stepping forth and holding out his hand. Tom rose and took the offered hand. "You have news for us?" Tom shook his head and Justin appeared perplexed, speaking over Tom as he looked to his mother with a confused expression. "I thought perhaps you'd made an arrest." He sounded optimistic and hopeful. "Or maybe arrested a suspect?"
"No, I'm afraid not. We're still investigating at this time," Tom said. Justin reached for his mother's hand as he sat down beside her. She patted the back of it and set about pouring him a cup of tea as well.
"Mother?" Justin said, his eyes narrowing. "You said there were developments… and I should come straight over—"
"Yes, dear. I know," Janet said, her lips tight, suppressing what Tom considered to be a contented smile. She looked at Tom. "But you do have news of a development, don't you, Inspector? That's why you're here, isn't it, to ask questions?"
"I would like to run a couple of names past you, if I may," Tom said. They both gave him their approval. "I must stress this is merely for background regarding what events Mary was engaged with. These are not suspects. I need to be clear, so that you understand."
Justin exchanged a quick glance with his mother and nodded. "Anything we can do to help, Inspector."
"Cake?" Janet said to Tom once more, raising her eyebrows and then reaching for a small plate and a napkin.
"No. Thank you," Tom said. Justin looked directly at Tom, subtly rolling his eyes. "Do either of you recall Mary mentioning a company by the name of Prometheus Energy?"
Mother and son exchanged a knowing look. It was Justin who answered.
"Yes, I'll say. Aunty hardly talked about anything else. Killing the reserve, she used to say. Repeatedly."
"I see. And did she ever have dealings with them outside of the community planning meetings that you know of?"
"Yes," Janet said. "One of their people came out here to see her once. He was polite enough, all smiles and a sharp suit." She shook her head. "Mary didn't like him. Nor did I if I'm honest. Smarmy. And a bit of a funny, if you ask me."
"A funny?" Tom asked.
"Yes, you know," she said, lowering her voice in a conspiratorial manner. "One of those. Funny."
Tom still didn't understand. Justin cleared his throat, not due to phlegm but more a sign of his embarrassment. "Please forgive my mother her… more colourful views on a person's… orientation."
Now
