Glitter, Greed and Gatecrashers Read online

  Emily Selby

  Copyright © 2018 by Emily Selby

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Disclaimer:

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organisations, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblances to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  This book and the entire series is set in England and written using British English spelling, punctuation and some vocabulary.

  Contents

  Glitter, Greed, and Gatecrashers

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Also by Emily Selby

  Glitter, Greed, and Gatecrashers

  1

  Katie Redford climbed to her feet. She picked up her car keys and her phone from the table.

  'I'd better be going,' she said, addressing her friend. 'It's getting late.'

  Michelle blinked and looked up at Katie, her eyes glazed with confusion.

  'What were you saying, Katie? Sorry, I was thinking about my and Olivia's booth at the fete.'

  Michelle had been distracted all evening. 'I just made a comment about needing to go,' Katie repeated. 'Why are you thinking about your booth? It looked great. It had a lot of interest. Boosting women's confidence with makeup and hair styling is a great idea. I overheard a few conversations by very happy customers - these women were delighted with your advice. Olivia is over the moon about it.'

  'Yeah, she kept banging on about it all evening.'

  Was there a hint of sarcasm in Michelle's voice? She was really behaving strangely.

  'You're unhappy it's been so successful?' Katie asked. Despite the enthusiasm Michelle had shown for the women's confidence project since the beginning, Katie had a feeling her friend was not entirely convinced it had been a good idea.

  'I am happy for Olivia and her project. It looks like a great idea. I love helping women feel better about themselves and I agree with Olivia that a lot of it comes from the self-confidence. I can see how my beauty and hairdressing experience fits into her project. But you can find so much on how to look and feel great online and for free, I am not sure if this is a viable business model.'

  Ah, so that was what was bugging Michelle. She had always been a sound businesswoman, and the success of her Styles and Smiles salon was entirely the result of her hard work.

  'Weren't you going to talk to someone about it?

  Michelle flinched. She pressed her lips into a pale line.

  'Yep,' she replied curtly. 'I was, but he didn't turn up. He had something more important to do.'

  Michelle collected the dirty cups from the table and put them in the sink. Katie zipped her jacket. There was no point in pushing Michelle now. Katie would talk to her about it after the stress of the church fete was over. Next week, for instance.

  'Thank you for inviting Julia to stay with you,' Katie said trying for a lighter tone.

  'No problem, Katie. You know my girls love having your daughter around, and it makes more sense. Kev can take care of them while we're still busy with the fete. Do you have a lot to do tonight?'

  'There are more pretty things to put on the table tomorrow morning, and I've finished the new banner, but I need to pop into the community centre to pick up a jar of glitter for Julia. She'll need it tomorrow.'

  'Ah, indeed. She was very specific about it.'

  'Yes,' Katie said, adding a gentle sigh. 'I hate the idea of taking it home. You can't imagine how awful glitter can be. It gets everywhere.'

  'Do you still keep all your craft supplies in the community centre?'

  'I do. I thought about creating a craft corner in the living room, but there's just not enough room.'

  'So, the recent murders have not made you change your mind.'

  Katie shuddered at the memory of the recent tragic events in Sunnyvale.

  'To be honest, I try not to think about it, but I've not done any paper quilling or lettering since. And if it continues, the range of crafts I'll be able to do will shrink considerably. But even after what happened, I'd still rather keep my craft boxes in the club. As I said, there’s simply not enough room at home.'

  Katie left Michelle's house and drove to the community centre through the empty, sleepy little town. The residents of Sunnyvale and all invited guests were going to return to the happy celebrations of the 100th anniversary of Saint George’s church the following morning. She thought about the first day of the fete. It had been rather successful. In fact, so successful, the Paper Crafts Club sold most of the products they had set out on the stall, and she had to replenish the stock with items the club had prepared over the preceding months. Fortunately, the club members had made more items their stall could accommodate, so it was simply a matter of adding some finishing touches, hence the need for glitter. And then, shifting the box with extra products from the little spare room they were using as storage to the church hall.

  Katie pulled up at the back of the community centre, near the entrance to their Club and clambered from her car. November’s chilly drizzle smudged on her face. She stifled a groan, remembering the glitter was in the spare room, not in the crafts room. Since the main entrance to the community centre was locked, she'd have to use the side door. She wasn't looking forward to walking around the dark building. The council should really have installed a street light on this side as well.

  She crossed the lawn surrounding the centre, trying not to think about the mud collecting on her best shoes. She stopped by the side door and rummaged in her handbag, looking for the key. The lights on the church hall were already off. Not a surprise considering it was 9.30 pm. The nearest street lamp was across the square along the street. Even the car park on the side of the community centre was dark.

  Katie shivered. She pulled her mobile from her pocket and used the flash light function to find the key and unlock the door.

  She walked in and felt the wall for the light switch. What a relief! She found it and flicked it. The yellow glare filled the hallway, bouncing off the glass panes of the door leading to the main part of the building. Katie headed left down the hallway towards the spare room. Her footsteps echoed. Her best shoes made an eerie clicking. Katie hurried. She wanted this over and done with.

  She reached the door and found it slightly ajar.

  Someone must have forgotten to close it. With everybody being so busy during the fete, it was quite likely. Katie pushed the door. It gave way with a screech. She stepped into a dark room and flicked on the light. The cold glare of the old fluorescent lamp picked out an overturned chair lying in the middle of the room am
ongst a scattering of coloured papers. Oh... Someone must have tripped over and spilled the content of the box. She crossed to picked it all up. Who the heck was the last one to leave the room? Or did a cat get in here?

  Katie crouched by the chair. A trail of red glitter caught her eye. She jerked her head to the right, following it. She blinked. Her heart skipped a beat and her stomach clenched.

  She rubbed her eyes and looked again.

  A body lay in the corner by the cupboard. A tall, stocky, suit-clad body.

  'Hello? Are you alright there?' Katie called out, her throat dry.

  There was no reply.

  She heaved herself up and took a little pace forward.

  'Hello?' she repeated.

  Still no reply.

  Fighting her wobbly keens, she crossed to the body, stopping just a step away from it. The man lay on his front, with his arms spread out.

  Katie's jerked her hand to her mouth and stifled a shout. She crouched automatically to check for a pulse but found none.

  No wonder. A small, dark, round spot surrounded by a cloud of dots marred the back of the man's head. No blood splatter, no fragments of tissue around. If the man hadn't been bald, it would have been easy to miss.

  But Katie, a part time admin clerk at the local police station, had seen similar things before, even if only in photos.

  The man had been shot.

  She climbed to her feet buckling her knees to prevent herself from collapsing on the floor. She dialled the emergency number with her trembling hands.

  'Hello, it's Katie Redford,' she croaked to the operator. 'I'm at the community centre in the storeroom. I-I’ve just found a body. A man. I-I think he’s been shot,' she carried on automatically. She answered the questions that followed.

  Over the previous couple of months, she had been involved in a number of murder investigations. She had become quite skilled at relating the essential information to the emergency services. It still didn't make it any easier.

  When she disconnected, she stepped outside the room and leant against the wall. Breathing heavily, she wiped the tears gathering in her eyes.

  The police should be here soon.

  2

  When the local police arrived, Katie couldn't shake the sense of déjà vu. Once again, her friends Sargeant Chris Fox and Constable Celia Baxter were on duty, as they had been the last time Katie discovered a murder victim.

  'Found another body, lass?' Chris greeted her, his voice echoing in the empty hallway.

  Katie threw him a glance, in attempt to convey her disdain for his dark humour. Chris ignored it.

  'We'll need a formal report from you,' he carried on. 'Your favourite DI Jack Heaton is on the way.'

  Heat flashed in Celia's dark eyes.

  'His not my favourite,' Celia said in a clipped voice.

  Chris glanced at Celia, confusion spreading on his broad, freckled face.

  'I thought...' Chris said and paused. 'Never mind,' he added and shifted his gaze back to Katie.

  Katie shrugged. Celia's unusual reactions were not really high on her priority list at that moment.

  'The body’s in the storage room,' Katie informed, pointing at the door. The officers disappeared into the room.

  About half an hour later the community centre filled with the forensic team, taking photos and spreading their finger printing powder. Katie wondered if they would forget about her letting her stay on the bench in the middle of it all. She was numb and wasn't sure what to think. She really wanted everything over and done with and thanked heavens Julia was on a sleepover.

  'Hi Katie, how are you?'

  The familiar velvety baritone pulled her out of her deliberations. Katie lifted her head to greet Inspector Jack Heaton, from the regional serious crime office, who had been visiting Sunnyvale quite often of late.

  'Fancy meeting you here again,' Katie said trying to install some humour into her words. But it fell flat.

  'I need to take a statement from you. Do you mind accompanying me to the police station?'

  She didn't mind. On the contrary, she was happy to dash out of the building.

  When they reached the police station, Katie gave Jack a brief summary of her evening at Michelle's and then her discovery in the spare room.

  'Did you notice anything unusual about the place tonight?'

  'It's been crazily busy all day. You may know this weekend is our church anniversary fete. We've had loads of people coming for the celebrations. A lot of unusual things about the place tonight, to be honest.'

  'A lot of people?'

  'Most of Sunnyvale residents, and some visitors from the nearby villages and towns. I guess, this man has come here as a guest, too?'

  'Has he?' Jack looked at her curiously, as if checking for signs of recognition. Katie couldn't help noticing the dark shadow of stubble on his rugged and handsome face. If this was another murder, Jack would have to do a lot of commuting between Sunnyvale and the village where he was staying with his father again. Long days and a lot of driving at various times of day and night. He must have hated Sunnyvale by now.

  'If you’re wondering, I didn't recognise him from the back,' Katie said carefully. 'That's why I assumed he must be one of the guests. I didn't touch him, beside checking for the pulse.'

  Jack pulled a camera from his pocket and showed her a photo. Katie winced seeing the purplish, waxy face.

  'Definitely, not a local. I don’t remember seeing him at the fete today, either. You'll have to ask around. Maybe someone will know who this is.'

  'No need,' Jack replied briskly and put the camera away. 'I recognised him. His name is Jeffrey Livermore. Does the name ring a bell?'

  Katie shook her head. 'Never heard of him. What was he doing here?'

  'That's a good question. The million-dollar question, in fact. He's not a typical village celebration attendant material. Unless he visited someone in particular.'

  Katie's cheeks burned.

  'I beg your pardon? We’re not a village! Sunnyvale is a town and a medium size one.'

  Jack attempted a laugh.

  'Sorry, I'm just trying to lighten the mood. No offence, please.' He raised his hands in apology. 'Mr Livermore has worked as a freelance employment consultant for local authorities in the country. He's a former IT specialist, who used to work with big companies. And before you ask how come I know so much about him...'

  'Is this the guy you've been spying on?' Katie asked.

  She suddenly remembered the comments Jack had made when they last met over a lunch, just over three weeks ago, following the conclusion of Zach Greenberg's and Ashley Stanley's murders.

  'Oh, I see you remembered that,' he said, his blue eyes sparkled behind the glasses. 'Jeff is one of the people I have been keeping an eye on, but not necessarily in connection with the strange Internet activities happening in Sunnyvale. I mean, unless, his presence here is indeed a sign of his involvement. I'm sure the investigation will explain it. But what were you doing there at that time of night?'

  'I wanted to collect some art supplies I'd left in this room earlier. I gather none of those supplies will be available now?'

  'Unfortunately, you're correct. And I'm sorry about that, Katie, but we will have to cordon off the community centre and close the whole place down. Your craft supplies...'

  'I know. Not a problem.' Katie shrugged. 'Was he shot?'

  'We need a proper post-mortem, but it looks like he was shot in the back of his head, from a fairly close range. Did you hear any unusual sounds around the place when approaching it?'

  'No. When I arrived, it was all very quiet and dark. I didn't hear or see anyone. I think he had been shot not long before I arrived, though. His body was still warm.'

  Jack stared at her, his brow arched.

  'I see you've been reading up on forensics science, haven't you?'

  'A little,' Katie replied feeling her cheeks flushing again. Indeed, since her last involvement in a murder case, she’d picked up a few book
s on forensic medicine from the local library. She wanted to learn a little more about the process. Maybe one day she would return to her studies. Maybe she would become a lawyer or a police officer, as she always wanted.

  'Obviously, we need proper forensics investigations and an autopsy but, to me, it looks like he's been dead less than an hour, but more than thirty minutes. He was shot probably some time between 8.35 and 9 pm.'

  Katie was surprised. This was the first time Jack was sharing information this willingly with her. Why was he doing it?

  'Can you tell me about your movements this evening?' he asked.

  'Okay,' Katie said slowly, bracing herself. 'And just to check, I'm not a suspect, or am I?'

  'For now, I just want to collect the information. You know the drill, Katie.'

  Katie nodded. Yes, she did know the drill. All too flipping well!

  'The celebrations finished at 7 pm. We locked the church hall, where most of the activities were taking place, maybe about 7.10 pm. I, Linda McKay and Ally Baker from our Club took the empty boxes and other unnecessary things back to the storeroom. We have crafts supplies all over the table in the craft room, so we've been using the spare room for storage and any quick work if needed. It's also a little closer to the church hall,' she explained. 'Linda and Ally brought some extra items from the crafts room and we spruced them up a little. I made a new banner, using glitter. We stayed in that storage room, all three of us, until we left about 7.30, maybe 7.35.'

  'The room where you found the body?'

  'That's right. There was no one or nothing suspicious in there at that time.'