Chapter Fifteen
When Rafferty returned to the station after his lunch with Katy, it was to find Timothy Smales back from Newcastle and bursting to share his news. He was waiting in Rafferty’s office in the detective style suit and tie he had worn to interview Nosy Nora, and although the natty suit gave the impression of maturity, his boyish face was unable to conceal its pink excitement and glowed like a child’s nightlight. As soon as he saw Rafferty, he burst out:
‘Sir! Sir! You’ll never believe what I’ve found out.’
‘All right, Tim. Calm down and tell me.’
‘Adam Chambers’ boyfriend did sneak into the Egerton house on the night of the murder. Nosy Nora – I mean Mrs Palmer-Watkins – saw him. Around eleven-thirty it was, she told me.’
‘And Nosy Nora was still sitting by the window watc
