Sophie had also come up with another interesting angle. “Claire may not have intended to frame Jackie, just to kill Alison,” she’d mused. “After all, she couldn’t have known Jackie was going to sit around on the stairs like a lemon. And Claire could have had no way of knowing that the body would be discovered so soon. The arrival of Alison’s mother plus Jackie’s bizarre behavior might have screwed up Claire’s plans completely.”

“But if she hadn’t meant to frame Jackie, why use her scarf?” Lindsay had objected. Thinking it over now, she felt deeply confused. Maybe she was letting herself place more weight on Sophie’s suggestion because she instinctively disliked Claire for coming between her and Cordelia. Well, there was one simple way to see if there was anything in the idea. She’d have to check Claire’s alibi for the time of the murder. Oh boy, that was going to be a fun question to ask her employer!

Lindsay shivered as she wrapped herself in a bath towel. She’d still not acclimatized to the cold Scottish winter after so long in the warmth of the Adriatic. The thought of the freezing February air outside made her feel like diving back under the duvet and staying there till spring. Instead, she huddled over the gas fire in the living room with the phone and a mug of coffee. This question mark over Claire was going to have to be sorted out, and soon. She fished Claire’s card out of her bag and dialed her office.

When she was put through, she said, “Lindsay Gordon here. Can we meet for a talk later today?”

“Have you some progress to report?” Claire asked neutrally. There was no eagerness in her voice, thought Lindsay.

“Sort of,” Lindsay stalled. “What time would suit you?”

“I’ll be leaving my office around three. I’m taking some paperwork home. Come round any time before six.”

“That’ll be fine. See you then.”

Next, Lindsay rang directory inquiries for the number of Porterhouses’ office. After dialing, she was quickly connected to Donald Mottram’s secretary. She explained her need for an urgent appointment to discuss her tax problems.

“Could you be at the office in half an hour, Miss Gordon?” the secretary inquired. “One of Mr. Mottram’s clients has just rung to cancel his appointment, so he’ll be free then. Otherwise, it would be next Thursday before I could fit you in. He has a very full diary just now.”

Lindsay couldn’t believe her luck. What a good game this was! She could get her year’s accounts done at Claire’s expense. “I’ll be there,” she promised. “Where exactly are you?”