Harriett by Rebecca King Page A

that you have
known for some time. If there is one thing I have learned in my
job, anybody is capable of murder, just not everybody does
it.”
    Harriett
looked more than a little shaken, to the point that Mark felt a
surge of sympathy for the fear he himself had just instilled in
her. “I am sorry to be so blunt with you both, but I really do not
want any more deaths in Tipton Hollow. Especially yours,” he added
gently. He ignored the curious stares Isaac and Babette gave him as
he moved around the table and knelt beside her chair. He could see
the tears on her lashes and handed her his handkerchief. “I know
last night’s events were traumatic for you, Harriett. I am sorry
for my heavy handedness just now. Please forgive me. However, I
need you to remain safe. Until we can discount the messages that
were given last night as stuff and nonsense, I won’t ignore the
fact that someone with the letter ‘H’ in their first name or
surname was threatened and, as angry as that makes me,
unfortunately that includes you. I promise you, Harriett, that
Isaac and me will get to the bottom of this. We will try to keep
you safe as safe as we can, but can’t be here all the time.” Mark
glanced across at Babette and read the silent approval on her face.
“It is important that you, and Babette, take every precaution
possible. We will leave no stone unturned and will find out exactly
what happened to Minerva but, until then, I will keep in regular
contact with you. If there is anything at all you remember that you
haven’t already told me, please feel free to contact me. If I am
out and about, leave a message at the station and I will be here as
soon as I can. If I am unavailable for whatever reason, Isaac will
deal with it.”
    “ Of course I will,” Isaac rumbled. He looked cautiously at
Mark and wondered what was behind his odd behaviour. He had worked
with Mark for several years now and had never seen him this
fervent; this protective with anyone before. A small voice starkly
reminded him that they had never been involved in such a murder
case like this in either Great Tipton or Tipton Hollow. Whatever
reason Mark felt the need to reassure the young woman so fervently,
Isaac could see no objection to it. She was clearly upset by what
had happened and the implied threat to her own safety and, given
Minerva’s murder in her own house, Mark was right to warn Harriett
to remain safe.
    “ Thank you,” Harriett whispered. His warm palms on her chilled
fingers were wonderfully steady and reassured her tremendously. She
offered him a brave smile while she blinked the tears away. “I
don’t know what has come over me. I am not usually like this.” It
took every ounce of her willpower not to cry out when he rose to
resume his seat and removed his hand from hers. The urge to lay her
head on his shoulder and cry her eyes out was so strong that she
physically trembled with the effort it took to remain in her
seat.
    “ Now, I need to know if we can have the decanters, and the
glasses, that were used last night. Doctor Woods needs them for
analysis.”
    “ Of course,” Babette rose from her chair and glanced at Isaac.
“In the kitchen, there is a box next to the cupboard. If you want
to take that, it should just about hold everything. The sitting
room has remained untouched. Neither Harriett nor I could bring
ourselves to go in there and clean up this morning. You are quite
welcome to take a look in there if you need to.”
    Glad to
have something practical to do rather than think morose thoughts,
Harriet pushed out of the chair. She didn’t relish going back into
the parlour but drew strength from the presence of the two
policemen with her. Once inside though, the blanketed closeness of
the heavily curtained room was almost claustrophobic.
    “ I know I should leave these closed as a mark of respect to
poor Minerva, but I really have to open them,” Harriett gasped and
stalked across the room to yank the curtains back and