Chapter 36

MADI

It was after five o’clock when Madi pulled into her usual residents’ parking spot along the road from the flats. She had stopped only once, for a quick snack, a visit to the Ladies, and to call Faith’s mobile for an update and to invite them to stay at the flat later. She knew they wouldn’t want to be too far away while Prue was still in hospital. Now she was exhausted. Her bags could wait. The first thing was to go in, check out any damage and make herself some tea.

As soon as she opened the front door she could hear raised voices coming from upstairs.

‘Yes, I have keys, but I never use them. It wouldn’t be right. They’re simply for emergencies, to deal with leaking water, that sort of thing, especially with us living directly beneath. And I certainly didn’t use them last night, if that’s what you’re thinking.’

‘I am not thinking anything, Madam. Just checking the facts. There was no sign of a break-in, so it’s fair to assume that whoever did this was either invited in or had a key.’

‘Well, I don’t know anything about that, do I?’

Madi walked tentatively up to the first floor. Aaron and Suzy’s door was open and she could see two men standing just inside, one in uniform, one in plain clothes but still very obviously a policeman, both with their backs to her. She got the impression, from the tone of Suzy’s voice, that she was not about to invite them in to sit down.

‘Perhaps not, but we understand from another of the residents that you may have recently become the owner of Miss Cardew’s flat, which makes you her landlord. Or landlady, if you prefer the term. Is that correct?’

‘No, that’s not correct.’ Madi stepped forward, unable to help herself. ‘Don’t be ridiculous.’

The police officers turned. ‘Inspector Fletcher,’ the older one said, flashing his card. ‘And you are …?’

‘I’m Madalyn Cardew. And I can assure you that this lady here has nothing to do with my flat. So I would certainly like to know why she says she has keys, emergency or no emergency.’

‘Perhaps we could take this inside?’ the officer said, beckoning Madi forward. ‘For a little privacy?’

‘Or perhaps not,’ Suzy said. ‘I don’t want her coming in here. If you want to talk to her, can’t you do it upstairs?’

Madi was shocked by Suzy’s animosity. ‘Suzy, I don’t know what this is all about, but I think we should get to the bottom of it, don’t you? Helping the police with their enquiries just might give them some sort of a clue about who did this, who hurt Prue.’

‘Well, it wasn’t me.’

‘I’m sure nobody thinks it was. But the keys …?’

‘They’re right. I do have keys.’ Suzy spat the words out, contemptuously. ‘I presume it was that Stan opening his big gob again. Got his nose into everything, that one.’