Murder Makes A Claim (Julia Blake Cozy Mystery Book 8) Read online

  Julia Blake – Murder Makes A Claim

  For Rosie and Eve

  Cover by www.coverkicks.com

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  Chapter 1

  “Have you two fallen out?”

  Julia Blake looked up from the television screen she was dusting. She gave a small shrug and said, “Not that I know of.” She turned back to the television.

  Louisa carried on, “Cain, what’s going on? There’s definitely an atmosphere between you two. Come on, tell me, I don’t like to see you like this.”

  Cain Andrews looked away from the window he was cleaning. He gave the exact small shrug that Julia had just given. He quickly glanced towards Julia and then looked at Louisa. “I’ve nothing to say about the matter. I’m going to start on the windows in the kitchen.”

  “You do that,” Julia said in a curt voice without looking his way.

  As soon as he’d left the room, Louisa walked over to Julia and said, “I know I’m just another one of your clients but I thought we were friends. I know something is wrong. Can’t you tell me what it is?”

  Julia sighed and straightened up. “Cain has been distant with me this morning and I’m not entirely sure why.”

  “You do know why!” Cain burst back into the room and waved a yellow duster at Julia. “I knew you’d start talking about me the minute I left the room.”

  Julia looked away. Louisa held her hands up. “Sorry, Cain, it’s my fault. I was being nosy. This is none of my business.”

  Julia gave Cain a direct look and said, “Please don’t raise your voice like that, not in front of our client.” She caught Louisa’s hurt look and added, “Not in front of our friend.”

  Cain gave his duster a final angry wave and stormed out of the room.

  Julia lowered her voice and said, “I think I know what’s upsetting him, it’s a misunderstanding, that’s all. I’ll have a word with him later. Anyway, tell me how your job is going. How are you getting on with the children?”

  Louisa clasped her hands to her chest and her face lit up. “Oh! It’s wonderful! The staff are wonderful! The children are wonderful! And it’s all thanks to you. If you hadn’t pushed me to go for that job, well …”

  Julia smiled. “You would have gone for it eventually. Mum told me you’re going to apply to college to get some further qualifications.”

  Louisa nodded. “I am. You’ll think I’m mad now, but I’m going to train to be a teacher. It’ll take a while but I’ll get there. Your mum is a great teacher and she’s helped me a lot with finding the right course.”

  Julia said, “My mum is the fountain of all knowledge. She wanted me to go to university and get a degree. But then life got in the way.” Julia looked towards the bookshelf. “I’ll give this a going-over.”

  Louisa placed her hand on Julia’s arm. “You looked really sad then. What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. I just sometimes wonder what my life would be like now if I had gone to university. If I’d have got a better job, one with benefits like holiday pay and a pension.”

  “I thought you liked having your own business. Your mum said you’re always busy.”

  Julia gave her a half smile. “I do enjoy my work and being my own boss. It’s just that sometimes … I wish things were different.” Her smile grew. “Ignore me, I’m having a moment. I think I’ll be finished downstairs in a few minutes then we’ll move upstairs.”

  Louisa grinned. “Do you want me to tell Cain that, or will you?”

  “No need. I heard everything.” Cain walked into the room with his head held high, his look averted from the two women.

  “Watch where you’re going!” Julia warned.

  Cain bumped into the sofa. A pink tinge appeared on his cheeks. “I’m fine, that didn’t hurt. I’m going upstairs.”

  Julia watched him head towards the stairs. She shook her head and said to Louisa, “You wouldn’t think he was nearly thirty. He’s acting like a sulky teenager. I’d forgotten how much hard work teenagers can be.”

  “I can still hear you!” Cain called out.

  Louisa burst out laughing. “I don’t know what is wrong with you two but I hope you sort it out.”

  Julia couldn’t help but laugh too. “I’m sure we will. I’ll have a chat with him in the car.”

  Julia ignored Cain’s sulky looks and exaggerated sighs as they cleaned the rest of Louisa’s house. When it was time to leave, Julia wished Louisa good luck with her studies. Cain reluctantly added his good wishes.

  Julia marched to her car, put her cleaning bag in the boot and got into the driver’s seat. She waited for Cain to buckle up before she drove away. They didn’t say a word as Julia drove towards their next client’s home. The atmosphere in the car grew. Cain was as silent as a statue – a statue that was trying to win a sulking competition, going by the look on his face.

  When they were two streets away from their client’s house, Julia pulled over to the side of the road and killed the engine. She turned to Cain and said, “Right! Let’s have it!”

  Cain folded his arms. “Have what?” Even his voice had a sulky tone.

  “Tell me why you are behaving like this.”

  “Like what?”

  Julia took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down. It didn’t work. “Like some upset teenager who’s been sent to their room without any tea, and their phone has been taken off them, and they’ve been cut off from the Internet, and they …”

  Cain’s mouth lifted slightly at one corner. “Okay. I get the picture.” He turned in his seat and gave her a direct look. “I am upset, you’ve hurt my feelings. I thought we were friends.”

  Julia’s brow wrinkled. “We are friends. What have I done?”

  “Last Friday, when I asked what you were doing that evening, you were very offhand with me. And this morning, when I asked about your weekend, you were offhand with me again, as if you were hiding something from me.”

  Julia gave him a slow nod. “I see. Anything else?”

  “Yes! I heard you on the phone to that Ellen Parks woman on Friday morning! You were talking about a cleaning job. I know what’s going on! You’re going to sack me and employ that Ellen Parks! You probably interviewed her on Friday night, that’s why you couldn’t tell me what you were doing!” His eyes sparkled and he quickly looked away.

  Julia’s own eyes began to tingle at his hurt look. In a soft voice she said, “Cain, have you been feeling like this all weekend?”

  He shrugged and muttered, “I might have. Go on then, sack me, I don’t care.” He turned his back to her.

  Julia tapped him on the shoulder. “I’m not going to sack you, why would I? You are right about Ellen Parks though, I did meet up with her on Friday night. Do you want to know why?”

  Chapter 2

  Cain turned back to face Julia. “I’m listening.”

  “Okay. I’ve known Ellen Parks a while. She runs her own cleaning business but she cleans offices not houses.”

  Cain gasped. “Are you going to work with her? Are you going to leave me?”

  Julia tutted. “Carry on like this and I’ll consider it! Ellen and I have an agreement when it comes to holidays. Being self-employed means that I can’t take holidays easily. My clients still need to have their homes cleaned. I’m sure some of them would wait an extra week, but that’s not very professional. I like to provide a reliable service. Ellen feels the same, so do some other cleaners that we know. We decided to do work for each other when someone wants to take time off.”

  “That makes sense. Are you going to
do some cleaning work for Ellen then?”

  Julia nodded. “I am. I’ve already done a couple of weeks for another cleaner earlier in the year, to build up my own holidays so to speak. Ellen’s asked me do her cleaning work this week. She cleans an office in Leeds. I went with her on Friday so I could see exactly what she does.” Julia paused. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

  “If you wanted to have a week off why didn’t you ask me to clean on my own? I know all of our clients and how they like their homes cleaned. I would have to get the bus to each home, but I would have managed.”

  Julia swallowed and looked out of the windscreen. She said, “I didn’t want to bother you.”

  There was an awkward silence. Julia turned back when she heard the sound of Cain’s seat belt being released.

  Cain lifted his chin and said, “It’s obvious that you don’t trust me, Julia. I can understand why. I know I’ve served time in prison but I thought we’d moved past that. I thought I’d proved myself to you.” He moved his hand towards the car door. “I can’t work for someone who doesn’t trust me. Goodbye.”

  Julia let out a exasperated sigh. “I knew going to that amateur dramatics club would get to you! Stop being so theatrical! Of course I’ve moved past all that prison stuff. I know full well that you were covering for a crime committed by your brothers, even if you won’t admit it to yourself. There’s a reason why I didn’t ask you to cover for me.”

  “And that is?”

  “I can’t say.”

  Cain gave her a slow nod. “It was nice working with you. Goodbye.”

  Julia pressed the locks from her side of the car. “You’re not going anywhere. Hang on, I need to speak to Dad.” Julia took her phone out and was soon speaking to her dad. “I have to tell him! I know you want to tell him later on but it’s making things difficult for us.” She paused and looked over at Cain.

  Cain moved closer and called out, “Hi Ray! It’s me, Cain!”

  Julia continued with her conversation, “If you don’t tell him now, I’m going to cancel the whole thing!” She passed the phone to Cain. “Dad wants a word.”

  Cain took the phone and smiled at it fondly as if Ray was actually looking at him. Julia shook her head, the relationship between her dad and Cain never failed to surprise her. It was a good relationship, Cain needed a father figure.

  Julia’s bad mood began to evaporate as she watched the expression change on Cain’s face. His mouth dropped open and his eyes widened so much that Julia was tempted to cup her hands underneath them in case they fell out.

  Cain’s voice broke as he said, “Ray, I can’t believe it. That’s so kind. Are you sure? Yes, of course. Thank you. I’ll speak to you later. Thank you.” He handed the phone back to Julia, his eyes glistening for the second time that day.

  Julia spoke to Dad for a moment and then ended the call.

  Cain cleared his throat. “Your dad, Ray, wants me to go on holiday with you.”

  “I know,” Julia said with a smile.

  “He’s booked a cabin for us, one for you and your mum, and the other for me and him.”

  “I know that too.”

  “He said we can go fishing, and play darts and snooker. All day if we want to. We can go on bikes and go roller skating. He said we can try archery. If we want to.” He shook his head slowly as if trying to keep his thoughts in one place. “He’s paid for it all. We go in two weeks. I’ve never been on holiday before.”

  “Now, I didn’t know that. Do you understand why I couldn’t ask you to cover for me? Any other time and I wouldn’t have hesitated. Dad was planning on inviting you round for tea on Friday and telling you then.” Julia smiled. “I’m glad he’s told you now. I didn’t want to have to lie to you all week about my extra cleaning work.”

  Cain looked down at his lap. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have accused you like that.”

  “Don’t worry about it. I should have told you what I was doing. Let’s blame Dad for everything.”

  Cain looked up and shook his head vehemently. “No. Ray’s perfect. I can’t blame him for anything. He’s so kind-hearted. Do you think they’ll have white-water rafting there?”

  Julia started the engine up. “I’ve no idea. Mum and I are going there to relax. We’re not doing anything physical apart from a leisurely swim and raising our wine glasses. Mum’s glad that you’re coming with us, you can babysit Dad and keep him occupied.”

  Cain beamed at her. “I can’t believe it! I’m so excited!”

  Julia set off driving again. “Come on, we’d better speed up. I’ve got extra cleaning work to do today. I’ve got to be at that Leeds office by 6 p.m.”

  “Me too.”

  “What? Are you going into Leeds for something?”

  Cain nodded. “I’m going to help you clean that office building.”

  Julia shot him a grateful look. “Thank you. I won’t be able to pay you anything extra.”

  “I don’t expect you to! Do you think they’ll have clay pigeon shooting? I’d like to have a go at that.”

  Julia gave Cain the name of the holiday park so that he could look at all the activities himself on his phone. The mood between them changed to one of excitement as Cain read out all the activities that were on offer.

  They were still in a good mood when they walked into the offices of Inkwell’s Insurance Company just before 6 p.m. that evening.

  Their good mood didn’t last long.

  Chapter 3

  Cain looked up at the building. He gulped and said, “Do we have to clean all of it?”

  Julia laughed. “No. Just the top two floors, floor seven and eight. Those are the ones that belong to Inkwell’s Insurance. It shouldn’t take us more than a couple of hours. Are you sure you want to help?”

  Cain tore his gaze away from the building. “Of course I’ll help. You’ve done so much for me.” He looked back at the building. “A revolving door! I’ve only ever seen them on the telly! Come on!” He rushed straight into the first segment of the door and completed three full revolutions before coming to a stop on the inside of the building.

  Julia watched him with motherly concern. That poor man, spending all those years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. And here he was now, making up for all the things he’d never experienced. Something as simple as a revolving door was a joy to him. Julia’s eyebrows rose as he jumped back into the doors and completed another two revolutions, a huge grin on his face. Julia gave him a pointed look and Cain stopped pushing the door. Julia got in the segment after him and gently pushed the door. She fought the urge to spin around a few times herself.

  Cain looked at the interior of the building. “Wow! Everything looks so shiny. Do we have to clean anything in here?”

  “No. We’ll be going up to floors seven and eight. Inkwell’s own the whole building but they only have offices on those floors. And we’ll only be emptying bins and vacuuming up. The occasional bin might need a wipe down. There are a lot of desks up there and people are surprisingly messy to say this is supposed to be a paperless office.” Julia started to walk towards the reception area.

  Cain tugged at her sleeve and hissed, “Julia! I think there’s a dead body behind that reception desk! He looks like he’s been dead for a while.”

  Julia laughed. “That’s Fred. He’s the security guard, he does the late evening shift for all the building. He’s lovely.” Her smile dropped as she looked closer at the frail old man sitting behind the desk. His eyes were closed and his mouth was hanging open. “I hope he’s having a snooze. I can’t cope with seeing another dead body so soon.”

  As if sensing their approach, Fred’s eyelids sprang open. He stared at them for a few seconds and then gave them a big smile. “Young Julia! How great to see you again.”

  Julia said to Cain, “I told you he was lovely, he thinks I’m young.”

  “He probably needs glasses. He’s the security guard? Are you sure about that?”

  “Shh!” Julia hissed. “H
e’ll hear you.”

  Fred cupped a hand behind his ear and said, “Were you talking to me? Would you say that again? I need a new battery in my hearing aid. The ones I’ve got in now are on their last legs.” He chuckled and made to stand up. “Rather like me! Give me a minute and I’ll be on my feet. Who’s this young lad with you?”

  Julia moved to the reception desk and rested her hands on it. “This is Cain Andrews, he’s my colleague. Shall I sign in? Don’t worry about getting up, I know where Ellen keeps her cleaning trolley.”

  A wheezing noise came from Fred as he pushed himself off his chair. He straightened up and Julia could have sworn she heard a creaking noise coming from him. Fred held a wobbly hand out to Cain. “Pleased to meet you, young man.”

  “Pleased to meet you, old … erm … Fred.” Cain gently shook his hand.

  Julia signed their names in a book and looked back at Fred. “Can I get the cleaning trolley out now?”

  Fred held up a hand. “No, let me do it. Might take me a moment or two, but I’ll get there.” He rubbed his back and winced. “Getting old is a curse. Nothing works like it used to. You should have seen me when I was young! Fit as a fiddle, and muscles that would make your eyes water!” Fred looked at his arms and tutted. “I used to be a builder, I could turn my hand to anything. Tiling, plumbing, carpentry, you name it and I’d have a go. What was it you wanted again?”

  “The cleaning trolley. It’s in that room behind you,” Julia said.

  “Shall I get it?” Cain asked.

  Fred shook his head. “No need, young man, I think I can manage.” He turned his back to them and walked towards a small room at the side of the reception desk. He pulled the door open and disappeared inside.

  Cain said to Julia, “How old do you think he is? Seventy? Eighty? He shouldn’t be working at his age, he should be having a beer and watching a game of bowls.”

  Julia nodded in agreement. “We don’t know what his circumstances are. He might have to work, not everyone has got a decent pension plan these days. He might even want to work, he might enjoy the company.”