Later that evening, Fitzjohn and Sophie sat out in the garden, Fitzjohn with a feeling of contentment as he savoured his glass of whisky and Sophie, pleased that her adored uncle was to remain in the city.
‘Thank you for all your support while I’ve been away, Sophie,’ he said.
‘I’ve loved looking after the garden and the orchids. It was like an escape at the end of each day. I looked forward to it and I can see now why you enjoy it so much.’ Sophie paused to look around. ‘This is such a special place.’
‘Mmm. ‘I’ve missed being here,’ replied Fitzjohn. ‘The Blue Mountains are beautiful but I doubt I would have adjusted easily to life there. The weather’s a little on the cool side for me.’
‘You would have been free from Mrs Butler’s constant scrutiny,’ said Sophie with a chuckle.
‘That’s true but you know, I think I might have missed Rhonda because I never know what dilemma she’s going to throw at me next.’ Fitzjohn took a sip of his whisky and sighed.
‘How’s Martin?’ asked Sophie.
‘If you mean is he miserable since you broke off your relationship with him I believe the answer is, yes. But having said that, he appears to be coping well and getting on with his life.’
‘You mean he’s seeing someone?’
‘I have no idea, but I do know he flew to Queenstown in New Zealand this morning with a few of his friends to go skiing for the weekend.’
‘Oh.’
‘Do you regret your decision to break it off?’ asked Fitzjohn, sensing Sophie’s disappointment.
‘Yes, I do.’
‘Are you still seeing your friend from Melbourne?’
‘No. After a couple of weeks, I realised we’re not the same people as we were. When David turned up at university that day all I could think of was how much I’d missed my friends in Melbourne but now I realise you can never go back. I have new friends now and I did have Martin. I’ve been so stupid, Uncle Alistair.’
CHAPTER 24
In the fading afternoon light, Matthew stood motionless at the end of the garden looking out over the mountains, the only sound a lyrebird’s distant call and the rustle of the leaves in the trees.
‘This was Florence’s favourite time of day,’ said Claire, following Matthew’s gaze. ‘She loved to sit on that garden bench and watch the sun sink over the horizon. I think it must have felt like a haven away from the fast-track life she lived so much of the time with all her travels.
‘It’s a peaceful place,’ said Matthew as they sat down. ‘When I think of her, I’ll picture her here.’ Matthew fell silent as he contemplated what might have been.
‘Florence would be so happy that you’re here appreciating what she loved,’ said Claire, breaking the silence. ‘And I think that even though she didn’t acknowledge to anyone that she had a child, she would have thought of you often.’
‘It’s a wonderful thought and a reason to carry on her philanthropy.’
‘Does that mean you plan to stay in Australia?’ asked Claire.
‘No, my life is in the States. But I don’t see why, with your guidance in putting together a good management team, an artist’s retreat here at the lodge can’t be established and the Fontaine Gallery & Art Shop continued? I’ll have to consult with the local council, of course, and see whether something can be worked out concerning the retreat but I’m sure we can come to some kind of agreement.’
‘It sounds great. I’ll be happy to stay on for a while and help you set it all up.’
‘Does that mean you plan to leave Leura?’ asked Matthew.
‘Yes. I’ll be forever grateful to Florence for giving me the chance to start again and put the past behind me, but it’s time now for me to move on.’
‘Where will you go?’ asked Matthew.
‘I thought I’d start by visiting my uncle in Scotland. He’s the only family I have left and I’d like to spend some time with him. It’ll also give me time to think what I want to do with my life.’
‘Would you consider stopping off in New York to see me on your way?’ asked Matthew.
‘Maybe.’
******
CAST OF CHARACTERS – Poisoned Palette
Detective Chief Inspector Alistair Fitzjohn
Detective Sergeant Martin Betts
Chief Superintendent Grieg
Chief Superintendent Blake
Detective Senior Constable Williams
Constable Harris
Dr Brian Ross - Pathologist
Charles Conroy- Forensic Pathologist
Sophie-Fitzjohn’s niece
Rhonda Butler-Fitzjohn’s neighbour
Owen Carstairs – Fitzjohn’s real estate agent
Florence Fontaine – Artist
Claire Reynolds – Florence’s business manager
Laura Evans – Art shop manager
Patrick Fontaine – Florence’s brother
Carolyn Winter – Florence’s stepsister
Frank Winter – Carolyn’s husband
Peter Newbury – Florence’s solicitor
Matthew Avery – American tourist
Audrey Green – Owner of The Tea Shop
Aiden Farrell – Owner of The Dandelion cafe
Lucy Farrell – Aiden’s daughter
Winifred Gifford – Owner of the B & B
Sister Harriott Butterworth – Blue Mountains Hospital
Margaret Montrose – Solicitor’s receptionist
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank Judith Baxter for her valued expertise and friendship. Also, I would like to acknowledge Renee Barratt for her talent in designing not only the cover for Poisoned Palette, but the covers for all the books in the Fitzjohn Mystery Series.
And last but by no means least, thank you to Robyn, Jenna and Matt from betareaders.com.au for their critiques.
About the Author
Jill Paterson is best known for her popular Fitzjohn mysteries. The first book in the series, The Celtic Dagger, was published in 2010 by New Holland Publishers after Jill entered the 2008 New Holland Publishers & NSW Writers Centre Genre Fiction Award. Since that time, through Amazon, she has independently published its second edition along with six further books in the series.
Jill has also authored two non-fiction books entitled Self Publishing-Pocket Guide and Writing-Painting A Picture With Words.
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Say Hello!
Jill talks about writing, self publishing and reviews books on her blog The Perfect Plot. She would love you to drop by. Alternatively, you can follow Jill on Twitter, catch up on Facebook or send her an email at:-mailto:jp.fitzjohnmysteries
Information on the Fitzjohn Mystery Series can be found at Fitzjohn Mysteries
Fitzjohn Series Picture Gallery
The
Fitzjohn Mystery
Series
By Jill Paterson
In the genre of cozy murder mysteries, the Fitzjohn Mystery Series features Detective Chief Inspector Alistair Fitzjohn. A police officer of the old guard, his methodical, painstaking methods are viewed by some as archaic. Nevertheless, over the years, they have brought him success as well as the respect of all but one of his colleagues; Superintendent Grieg, the man Fitzjohn regards as his nemesis.
Fitzjohn lives alone in his Birchgrove sandstone cottage where he escapes the harrowing realities of his job by tending his orchids, a legacy from his late wife, Edith. But he can’t escape his sister, Meg, who is determined to help him through his grief nor his neighbour, Rhonda Butler, whose main objective is to rid him of his greenhouse.
His sergeant, Martin Betts, is an eager young detective even though having difficulty when it comes to viewing the unfortunate victims of crime, and occasionally finding himself a pawn in Chief Superintendent Grieg's war against Fitzjohn.
The setting for the series is
the city of Sydney and its environs taking in the historic Rocks area, Sydney University, Rushcutters Bay, the Northern Beaches, and the Blue Mountains to name a few.
For Excerps visit Amazon
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Poisoned Palette Page 17