Page 54 of The Other Side

“If she’d died of natural causes, then there wouldn’t be any need for police tape and all those cars and policemen.”

“That’s very sharp, Lily.”

She gave him a sad smile. “It’s sad.”

“Can you think of anyone who’d want to hurt her?”

Lily looked down into her tea for a long moment. The steam curled between them.

“No,” she said at last. “She wasn’t the sort of person who collected enemies. Irritations, perhaps. Just like all of us old people irritate younger ones sometimes. She could be stubborn. If she thought she was right, she’d dig her heels in until everyone else gave in.”

“What about arguments? Had anything been annoying her?

“Nothing dramatic.”

“Think small. Sometimes small turns into big.”

Lily frowned. “There was a disagreement a couple of weeks ago.”

“With who?”

“Stan Motson.”

“What was it about?”

She gave a weary laugh. “It sounds ridiculous now. A charity donation.”

“Tell me anyway.”

“Sonita thought the fundraising money raised for the bowls club wasn’t being properly accounted for. Stan is the treasurer. Sonita’s a—was a member. She asked questions—lots of questions. Stan took it personally.”

“Did they shout?”

“No. That’s what made it uncomfortable. Everyone else tried to change the subject, but neither of them would let it go. Stan kept insisting Sonita had implied he was stealing. Sonita said she’d implied no such thing, just that transparency protected honest people.”

“And afterwards?”

“They hardly spoke. Though Stan was right. All the money was accounted for and it was all okay in the end.”

Drum nodded.

“Anyone else?”

Lily hesitated. “There was Arthur.”

“What about him?”

“He adored her.”

“That’s not usually a motive.”

“No.” She looked almost guilty for mentioning it. “I just don’t think she felt the same way.”

Drum leaned back. “He told you?”

“He didn’t have to.”

“How could you tell?”