POISON ON Pink Paper

THE STORY SO FAR: Local vicar Bree Plummer has discovered that many people in the little village of Lower Melchem have been receiving poison-pen letters. Each one has the same printed warning: The eye of Ra sees all. PC Guy Miller has been investigating and has admitted to receiving a letter himself, while keeping quiet about its contents. He quickly identified shop owner Tanya Hart as his prime suspect and a woman with a reputation for spreading gossip and secrets. Bree decides to visit Tanya’s shop and have a quiet word to gauge if she might be the culprit. But before she can speak to Tanya, Bree is distracted by a couple of teenagers trying to steal from the shop. She returns next morning, only to hear shocking news – Tanya has been found dead.

After a few seconds rooted to the spot, Bree gave herself a shake and then felt the need to move away from Lydia’s gossipy confidences.

Lydia hissed, ‘She wasn’t that popular. I prefer to speak as I find and not be a hypocrite.’

‘You’ve a nasty tongue in your head, Lydia Kirby!’ said another voice, and Bree turned to see Stella Giles, her arm clamped around the shoulder of her daughter, Eden. They both looked shaken.

Lydia wasn’t a bit put out by the intervention. ‘Is that so, Mrs Giles? Yet I see you’ve brought your