by V. M. Burns
“Did you ever find out why they sent him to arrest Cloverton?”
“Detective Pitt thinks it was part of the setup.”
“What do you think?”
I took a bite of my salmon, which was moist, flaky, and perfectly cooked. “I don’t know.”
“How is it?”
I smiled and slid my plate closer so he could take a bite.
He tasted the rice and the grilled veggies and offered me to taste his, which was served with saffron rice, but I declined. I wasn’t quite as adventurous as Frank. Besides, I was quite content.
Frank hadn’t asked me about my answer and I wasn’t prepared to provide a response, but I did have questions. “If we were to get married, where would we live?”
“Where do you want to live?”
“I don’t know. I love my commute to work.”
“How would you feel if I were to move in?”
“There are only two bedrooms.”
“I rather assumed that I’d be sharing the master bedroom with you.” He smiled.
I rolled my eyes. “I know, but . . . Nana Jo.”
“I love your grandmother. I wouldn’t expect her to move out if I moved in. Your space is over two thousand square feet.”
“You’d be okay with her staying?”
“Of course.” He reached out and took my hand. “I don’t want to change or restrict your life. I fell in love with you, and I don’t want to change that. I don’t need one hundred percent of your time, but I would like to share more of it.”
“So, the trips to the casino with the girls and our . . . sleuthing expeditions?”
“I wouldn’t try to change that, even if I could.” He chuckled. “Although I would prefer it if you didn’t spend so much time chasing down killers and putting your life in danger, but maybe if I’m a bit closer, you’ll let me help protect you.”
I laughed. “I don’t know. So far, that’s been Nana Jo’s job.”
“She’s done a fine job too. The last thing I want to do is make your gun-toting grandmother angry. I don’t want her shooting up my restaurant.”
I laughed. “Good thing she likes you.”
After dinner, Frank drove to the beach and we sat on a large boulder and listened to the waves. It was a wonderful way to end a lovely evening.
When he drove me home, we took our time saying good-bye. Just when things were getting passionate, his phone rang. He swore until he saw who the call was from. But then he turned on the screen so I could see. “Buonasera.”
Frank was fluent in multiple languages, so he was able to talk to Lexi and Angelo in Italian for several moments before he switched to English. I could tell from the way Angelo giggled that whatever they’d talked about made him very happy.
Five more minutes spent talking with Angelo and Lexi warmed my heart, but it was over too quickly. Angelo said something in Italian before Lexi poked him, and Frank gave him a signal to be quiet. Normally, I would have pumped Frank to find out what they were up to, but I missed those two so much, I couldn’t summon the energy to do anything more than cry.
Frank held me while I wept. When I was done, I felt silly. “I’m sorry. They’re with their family. They’re happy, and I’m happy for them.”
He kissed my tear-streaked face. “I know you’re happy for them, but it’s okay to miss them too.”
I pulled myself together and climbed upstairs. Nana Jo was curled up on the sofa with Snickers and Oreo. I watched them for a few moments and then quietly made my way to my room. I finished my nightly preparations and got ready for bed, but my brain wouldn’t turn off. So, I gave up trying. I went to my laptop and tried to sort through everything running through my head by getting lost in the British countryside.
Lady Daphne turned to her aunt. “What are we going to do?”
“This may be difficult since we’re unfamiliar with the area,” Lady Elizabeth said, looking up from her knitting, “but I’d like Thompkins to talk to the servants. They’re all local, aren’t they?”
The butler stepped forward. “Yes, m’lady.”
“They’ll know about newcomers and probably anyone who is behaving . . . unusually.”
The butler gave a stiff bow.
“William, I think it’s imperative that we find out if the truth of Bletchley Park has been leaked,” Lady Elizabeth said. “I was hoping you might reach out to your friend Nigel Greyson at the Home Office. He may be able to offer some insight into this business.” She turned to James. “Would that be okay?”
Lord Browning nodded. “Yes, of course. Greyson was heavily involved in GC and CS during the Great War, and he’s still in the loop on things.”
“What’s GC and CS?” Lady Clara asked.
“Government code and cypher school,” James said.
Lady Elizabeth turned her attention to her cousin. “Clara, given what you know now, do you still want to work at Bletchley?”
Lady Clara stuck out her chin. “Absolutely. Knowing that I’ll be helping the war effort makes it even better. Now I won’t have to quit to join the Wrens.”
Detective Inspector Covington started to object, but one look at Clara’s face made it clear her mind was made up. He sighed. “You will at least try to be careful, won’t you?”
She smiled. “I will if you will.”
“I knew you’d feel that way,” Lady Elizabeth said. “You’ll be on the inside and able to talk to some of the workers, especially the women. I don’t think they’ll be likely to talk as freely to the police. People from that circle tend to believe the police are beneath their notice.”
Covington nodded an acknowledgment. “I have noticed that.”
“Now, Daphne. I can help Clara in talking to the debutantes. I’m sure I know most, if not all, of their families well, and should be able to get them in one place. I was thinking about a tea, but I want to clear it with you first, of course.”
“I think that’s a great idea,” Lady Daphne said. “Please don’t stand on ceremony. I’m rather new to hosting.” She blushed. “So, it would be wonderful if you would get things started.”
Lady Elizabeth smiled. “Of course, dear. I’d also like you to talk to some of the locals. You’re new to the area, and they’ll be curious. Tea with the vicar and prominent members of society should easily identify the village gossip.”
“I’ve already gotten invitations to tea from several households. This will help me fulfill my social obligations and allow me to help with the investigation at the same time.”
“Peter, I’m sure you’ll be following your own lines of inquiry regarding the murder.”
“I will, but I suspect I’ll be facing a bit of opposition. I’m not in the inner circle of Bletchley, so I’m afraid this murder is going to be categorized as another unfortunate accident and closed.”
“I’m sure you’re right,” Lord Browning said. “We can’t risk a lot of outsiders figuring out what’s going on up there. I know this is going to sound bloody cold, but keeping Bletchley Park’s secrets is far more important than the life of any one person.”
“I’m not happy about it, but I do understand.”
“Good, then perhaps you can see if there is anyone who would have wanted Chester dead and if there is any connection between Philip Chester and your friend who was murdered at the American Embassy.”
“You think the two deaths are connected?”
Lady Elizabeth resumed knitting. “It seems likely that your friend’s murder is what set things in motion. He either knew something or saw something that made him dangerous, so the killer strikes. You’re transferred to prevent you from finding out what happened. The killer may or may not have realized what’s going on at Bletchley Park, or . . .” She glanced up from her knitting to stare at the detective. “I hate to say it, but the killer may have followed you here to try and finish the job.”
Clara gasped.
“It’s also possible the killer may have come here on their own for whatever reason. The two murders
may not be connected at all. There’s a chance that Philip Chester was the intended victim, but . . .”
“But you don’t believe it,” James said.
“Let’s just say that I don’t believe in coincidences. I’m going to talk to my cousin to see what information he can shed on this situation.”
The air crackled with static.
“Your cousin King George?” Covington asked.
“No, my cousin Winston Churchill. He’s been in Parliament for years, and if anyone knows about a connection between Bletchley and those invited to dinner at the American Embassy, it’ll be him.”
Lady Clara appeared to be a million miles away. She chewed her lower lip and gazed into the distance.
“Clara, is something bothering you?”
“I was thinking there may be one other person I could talk to.” She paused for a few moments and then made up her mind and hurried on. “Marguerite Evans is a dear friend. She was at the embassy when Oliver Martin was killed. They seemed to hit it off well. I’ve just been wondering if . . . well, if he might not have said something to her that might help us figure out who killed him and why.”
“Wouldn’t she have mentioned it when I questioned everyone?” Covington said.
Lady Clara shook her head. “Not if it was . . . confidential, like Bletchley Park. If she’d been sworn to secrecy, then she might not have felt like she could tell anyone.”
Lady Elizabeth stared at her young cousin. “I think that’s a great idea. She might speak to a friend when she didn’t feel that she could tell anyone else.” She looked around. “I think that’s everyone.”
James coughed. “I believe you missed me. What’s my assignment?”
“Actually, I have a critical assignment for you, but I think we should discuss it privately.”
Chapter 21
“Planning a going-away party in forty-eight hours is crazy,” I said to Nana Jo as I flipped through websites on my phone looking for gifts. “And I don’t know who these people are on the Internet who think they have the perfect gift for someone moving to Australia, but they obviously have never met my mother.”
“Planning a going-away party in two days is no crazier than planning a wedding in two weeks, and we pulled that off.”
“Aren’t you the least bit stressed?”
“Nope.”
“Why not?”
“Because Grace is my daughter, not my mother. I’m not burdened with the same feelings of trying to please her that you and Jenna have.”
“I doubt that Jenna is worried about pleasing her either.”
“Your mother may be scatty, but she loves you. Whatever you give her, she’ll love it because it came from you.”
“Yeah, right.” I flipped through the websites faster than before. “Have you ever met my mother?”
“Long before you did.”
I got a text from Jenna and stopped my frantic web search long enough to read it. “Listen to this: ‘I’ve got court tomorrow. Can you pick up decorations? Thanks, J. ’ ” I stared at Nana Jo. “Can you believe that? She’s dumping the decorations off on me just because she has to go to court.”
“How hard is it to pick up a few balloons and streamers? I can swing by the party store tomorrow if that’ll help.”
The guilt descended like a cloud. “No. I’ll do it. I just get frustrated that she treats me like my work isn’t as important as hers. She’s done that my entire life.”
Nana Jo put down the book she was reading. “What’s really bothering you?”
“What do you mean?”
“You’ve been swiping that phone as if your life depended on it. Your mother is not a horrible person, and she will not bite your head off if you don’t find the perfect gift.” She accented it with air quotes. “And, whenever Jenna doesn’t want to do something, she dumps it in your lap. She’s done it since you were five years old. You’re an adult. If you don’t want to get the decorations, just tell her you’re busy running a bookstore, solving a murder investigation, and living your life. She’ll respond with a sharp retort and send Tony or one of the twins to do it. Now, what’s really bothering you?”
“I don’t know. I guess I’m just . . . confused. Everything is changing, and I don’t like change. Mom and Harold are moving to Australia. The twins are graduating and will be moving away. Emma will be leaving for medical school, and Jillian will be off to Chicago, New York, or Moscow touring the world and dancing. Dawson still has one more year of college, but before long, he’ll be gone too. Frank wants to get married, and I’m really leaning toward saying yes, but that will mean change too. He says he doesn’t care where we live, and he won’t try to control my life or my time, but there’s bound to be changes. I hate change. I like routines. I like knowing that every day I can rely on you and, in a pinch, the twins or Dawson can help out. I don’t know. It just feels like everything is changing. Even good changes are still change. My book will get published in a few months, and while I’m excited, I’m also terrified. What if people don’t like it? What if no one buys it and the publisher drops me? What if—”
“What if the sky falls tomorrow?”
I stared at my grandmother. “What?”
“Sam, there are no guarantees in life. Things change. People change. Your nephews are adults. They have to move on with their lives, and I know you wouldn’t want it any other way. Your mom is moving to Australia, but you live in an age where you can talk on the phone or Skype, FaceTime, or use a host of other programs to look at each other daily.” She smiled. “Just think, back when Lady Elizabeth was solving crimes, she had to rely on telephones or telegraphs.”
I smiled. “I know, I’m being silly.”
She came over and gave me a hug. “No, you’re not silly. But the world is changing, and if it weren’t for change, you wouldn’t have your bookshop or Frank.”
I put my head on her shoulder. “I asked Frank if we did get married where we’d live.”
“And?”
“He said he would be okay with moving in here, but . . . would you be okay with that?”
“Probably not.” She must have felt me start to object because she hurriedly added, “Now hold on. I like Frank. I really do, but I think the last thing a newly married couple needs is another person living there. You two will need time to get accustomed to each other.”
“But I love having you here.”
“I’ll still help out in the bookstore, but there’s no reason why I can’t sleep in my own house. Freddie has been pressuring me to spend more time with him, so I might as well jump in and get over our own adjustment period.”
“I hate change.”
She squeezed me. “I know, dear, but you’ll adapt, and you may find that you enjoy the unknown even more.”
We sat talking for several minutes. It was good to unburden myself to my grandmother. She was such a strong force in my life. Before long, she had me laughing as we chatted about the fact that my mom, who was terrified of snakes, spiders, and all things creepy, was moving to the country with the largest number of venomous snakes in the world.
“Maybe I should get her something to catch snakes.”
Nana Jo gave me a playful swat. “Now don’t be cheeky. Your mom has never been particularly adventurous. Maybe experiencing a new culture will be good for her.”
“Maybe you’re right. Mom has always lived here, so I guess that’s one reason the idea seemed so farfetched that she was actually moving.”
“Now, I don’t know that your mom will do much to help the koalas other than writing a check, but who knows.”
Dawson came upstairs and stopped at the sight of Nana Jo and me sitting on the sofa. “I was going to get started on the cake, but if you need me to go open the store, I can—”
I glanced at my watch and then hurried up. “Happy baking.”
Nana Jo and I went downstairs and opened the store.
Fridays were usually one of our busier days, and we both stayed busy most of the morning. I w
as shelving books when someone called my name. I looked up and saw Mildred Cloverton staring at me.
“Hello, I didn’t know you liked murder mysteries.”
Mildred glanced around. “I love books. I usually read technical books, nonfiction, and romance, but I sometimes enjoy a good crime novel every now and again.”
“Great. Is there anything I can help you find, or would you prefer to look by yourself?”
“I didn’t come to shop. I came to help. Remember, I told you I wanted to help you figure out who killed John.”
I frowned. “I know you said you wanted to help, but . . . do you think you should? I mean, between preparing for the funeral and grieving, I just can’t imagine—”
She waved her hand. “I think it would help to be active. Sitting at home is horrible. I just think. I don’t want to think. I want to do something. I need to do something.”
When Leon died, I don’t know that I could have tracked down a killer, but I could understand the need to be busy. When you’re busy, you don’t have time to think. “We don’t really have anything to do at the moment. We’re not like policemen or private investigators who have all day to trail or interrogate suspects. Mostly, I’ve found that my grandmother and her friends have an extensive network. We can generally talk to friends and family to get information.”
“Oh, I see.”
I could tell she was disappointed. The girls, Nana Jo, and I had planned to meet for lunch at Frank’s place, but I wasn’t sure that inviting the victim’s wife to our meeting was a good idea. What if she went rogue and decided to seek vengeance for John’s death in her own way? No, I needed to think up something else for her to do. “There is one thing that you could help us with.”
“What?”
“We’ve learned that the mayor’s wife, Sharon, owed a lot of money at the casino and you and John were helping her pawn some of her smaller items to help pay down her debt.”
Mildred’s face switched from an eager beaver to a cautious sloth in two seconds. “What’s wrong with that?”