Raisins and almonds - Poisoned Pen Press (UK)

Raisins and Almonds
‘Thanks, don’t mind if I do.’ He sat down heavily in the
red-painted chair and rummaged for his pipe. Phryne opened
her gold cigarette case and offered him a gasper, but he shook
his head.
‘Cut your wind, those things will, Miss Fisher. Two teas,
Mrs. Johnson,’ he said to the hovering attendant. Phryne did
not speak until he was sipping his strong liquorish black tea,
loaded with sugar. She showed him the chemist’s packet, done
up with sealing wax.
‘What’s that?’
‘Strychnine. I just bought two shillings’ worth, enough to kill
several horses, and no one asked me why I wanted it.’
‘Hmm. Well, I can’t find Miss Lee’s rat poison. The autopsy’ll
be this afternoon, do you want to come?’
‘Not particularly, Jack dear, if you tell me about the report.’
‘I’ll do that. I don’t like this any more than you do, you
know.’
Phryne sipped her tea, which was very good, hot and strong.
Her feet hurt and she was suddenly very sorry for Miss Lee, cut
off from this bustling and fascinating place, which changed all
the time. Detective Inspector Robinson evidently caught her
thought.
‘Miss Lee’s asked for some Latin grammar books—you know
that? I never met a murderer who wanted to further their education
on remand. I’m going into her shop to get her a grammar
and some writing paper. Oh, and I’ve something to show you,
too. Come on,’ said Robinson, laying four pennies on the table
to pay for the tea.
He unlocked the shop and looked around helplessly at the
books all marked in foreign languages. The shop smelt dusty
and unloved.
‘I’ll find her a grammar or two,’ said Phryne. ‘What have
you got to show me?’
‘What was in the dead man’s pockets,’ said Jack Robinson,
opening a paper bag with ‘Evidence, not to be removed’ on it.
He laid out the contents on Miss Lee’s desk.