Chapter Five

  Part Three

  Line and Ali went to the closest book shop first, Ali went with her because she didn’t want to see the body and thought seeing books was slightly better option. So as soon as the smell of new books filled the air Ali let out a small groan. A small bell sounded out when the front door to this shop closed behind them, alerting the owner behind the counter.

  The owner pushed up large round spectacles up her nose “I’ll be with you in a moment” she then returned her attention to the man currently buying books from her.

  Line moved through the rows of books, brushing her fingers along the thick leather spines. She saw extremely disappointed that she didn’t have any time to read this morning, but at least she found an extremely cosy little book shop. The door’s bell rung out, signalling the customers exit. So Line approached the owner from the other side of the shop.

  The young woman smiled “how can I help you?”

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  “I want to know if anyone came yesterday to buy these books from you” Line then recited the titles of the books found next to the body.

  The woman tucked a curly red lock behind her ear “Eye actually, a man did come buy those books”

  “when?”

  “last night, at around nine. I was just about to close the shop when he came. I though he wasn’t coming this time”

  “what do you mean by that?”

  “oh, he’s a regular here. A Mr...Usell, his name was. I’m sorry, dunnie know his first name”

  “That’s fine, there can’t be that many Usell's in the city” Line paused “you said you thought that he wasn’t coming? Why?”

  “Well, he was later than usual. He generally comes earlier than that, he did say he had important business to deal with though”

  “What business?”

  “oh, I dunnie know. He didn’t say... I’m sorry, but why you’re asking?”

  Ali came forward and showed of her monastery token “were investigating a murder that accrued recently, not too far from here”

  Line continued “If you know Mr Usell, would you be willing to identify him?”

  “Oh, dunnie know bout that. I’ve never seen a dead body before”

  “it’s alright, you don’t need to. But it would greatly help us”

  The woman though it through “eye alright, I’ll do it”

  “thank you. I’m sorry I never got your name?”

  “Keelin Brynn”

  “Miss Brynn, I’m Inspector Line spelt line but the e is silent. This is Ali, my partner”