A Bird In The Hand — Ruby Binns-Cagney

A NEW CASE FOR DETECTIVE INSPECTOR BLANCHFLOWER

Detective Inspector Blanchflower takes on the curious case of a missing pet.
Everything about the case displeases him but, faced with the prospect of being unable to pay rent on the rooms he shares with Inspector Ferraud, Blanchflower accepts the case.
Delilah Rawthorne, an elderly woman who rambles through a dilapidated mansion house has lost her pet Jackdaw and advertises in the classifieds for a Private Investigator to find it.
The case suddenly intrigues Blanchflower, while Ferraud as ever plays catch up against the quick wit of his friend and companion, Blanchflower.
The two examine Delilah's extraordinary lifestyle and ponder the question of why the bird is missing, and what it will take to have it returned before it's too late.