Ashes of Roses

by Melissa R. L. Simonin

  I reminded myself, I do not have to have an explanation for everything.

  “Do you need something, Edmund?” Ashley frowned slightly, as Sir Edmund tested my hypothesis that there is no good time to act like a mime.

  “I—yes, I—” Sir Edmund stuttered.

  The door to the inner office opened, and Miles stepped back into the room.

  Sir Edmund lurched forward, and narrowly missed falling flat on his face. As he regained his balance, he looked at us rather wildly.

  “Edmund,” Miles greeted him, as he joined me on the couch. “Have there been any updates, since last we spoke?”

  Sir Edmund whipped around and looked at the doorway, then looked back at us. Ashley was still frowning, and her forehead furrowed with concern. Miles looked completely relaxed. I coughed lightly. It was either that, or laugh! I hoped that wasn’t the same as lying.

  “I—I, uh—I say, did anyone else…” Sir Edmund began, then stopped. After all, what was he going to do? Make the rest of us think he lost his mind, by insisting an invisible barricade stopped him in his tracks?

  He joined us meekly, and took the remaining chair.

  “What—what was that, you said?” Sir Edmund asked Miles.

  “Have there been any new developments, since last we spoke?”

  “Oh, uh—no, I’m afraid not,” Sir Edmund replied, as he valiantly strove to regain his composure.

  “There’s nothing more about Finn?” I asked.

  “No, I’m sorry to say,” Sir Edmund answered. “The cottage appeared to be trashed, but then who’s to say he didn’t keep it that way. Perhaps he didn’t care to bother with tidying up, living alone and all.”

  “Is his vehicle on the grounds?” I asked. “Or does he have one?”

  “I’m sure I don’t know,” Sir Edmund replied. “I didn’t exactly rub elbows with old Finn. I’ve no doubt he would’ve left me sorry for it, had I tried. If anyone knows, it would likely be Billy Forester, the head gardener.”

  “You haven’t spoken to him, then,” Miles concluded. “Have the authorities?”

  “Not so far as I know,” Sir Edmund answered. “That doesn’t mean much, what with all the activity going on. I wouldn’t be surprised to find that every officer on the Isle is combing the grounds, at present. I’m terribly sorry for how disjointed your visit’s been, and now this, and our slew of guests come for the ball. It’s ordinarily my favorite event of the year, but at the moment, it’s one more interruption preventing us from becoming acquainted. This isn’t how we intended to spend the time, I assure you.”

  “I’m sure it isn’t,” Miles acknowledged. He didn’t need me to squeeze his hand, to know that was the truth.

  “I do hope we can convince you to visit again, in the future,” Sir Edmund said. “I shall see to it that we’re not pestered by uninvited guests, intruders, murders and the like, even if it means closing the roads in and out.”

  “Perhaps we’ll do that,” Miles said noncommittally.

  “Do, help me convince them, Ash,” Sir Edmund encouraged. “You should want another chance to visit as much as I, I should think.”

  Ashley hesitated uncertainly for a moment, then resignation filled her eyes.

  “I should very much like the chance to see Miles and Anika again, but I’m afraid if it’s to happen, it will have to be elsewhere.”

  Sir Edmund gave her a puzzled frown.

  “Whatever do you mean by that?”

  Ashley looked back at him soberly.

  “I shall stay through the end of the ball, but I’ll be leaving directly after.”

  “Leaving?” Sir Edmund appeared dumbfounded.

  “Yes,” Ashley replied firmly. “I suppose this serves as my official notice.”

  “It most certainly does not!” Sir Edmund exclaimed. “You can’t possibly be serious!”

  “I am,” Ashley answered bravely. “My mind is very much made up.”

  “But—you—” he began, then turned toward her, and away from us. As if somehow that would keep us from hearing. He leaned closer, not that it made any difference, and spoke quietly. “We need to talk. About this, and a good many other things.”

  “Enough has been said already, so far as I am concerned,” Ashley replied calmly. “If you feel it necessary to say more, you are free to do so.”

  Sir Edmund looked positively ready to blow an artery.

  “I should prefer to speak in private,” he declared tersely, lowering his voice even further, as he gave us a brief glance out of the corner of his eye.

  “Anything you wish to say, can be said just as well, here,” she stated.

  Sir Edmund gave her a long look.

  “I can’t believe you mean it,” he finally replied. “Living and working together here at the manor, is your dream. It’s our dream.”

  “It isn’t,” Ashley disagreed. “Not anymore.”

  Sir Edmund looked ready to snap.

  “This is about mother, isn’t it,” he said sharply. “I told her she best lay off. If she’s given you further trouble, I shall take care of it.”

  “I’ve heard nothing from her since this morning,” Ashley replied. “I cannot say she had no influence in my decision, but this isn’t about your mother. It’s about what I need.”

  “Well—where do you expect to go?” Sir Edmund demanded.

  “There’s a place waiting for me at the museum,” Ashley answered.

  Sir Edmund grimaced slightly.

  “You can’t have thought this through. Whether you plan to commute, or move to the mainland, it will make seeing one another rather more complicated.”

  The look in Ashley’s eyes bordered on sympathy.

  “Yes, I suppose it would, if we were still seeing one another.”

  Sir Edmund’s eyebrows knit, as understanding began to dawn.

  “We are seeing one another,” he snapped. “We have been, for years. We most certainly are seeing one another!”

  Ashley’s forehead furrowed in dissent.

  “No, we are not,” she said firmly. “Not anymore.”

  We might need a paramedic, if his veins kept bulging like that.

  “What is this about, the Countess? She means nothing to me!” he exclaimed.

  Miles squeezed my hand rather tightly, probably out of concern that I’d feel compelled to make any number of perfectly true, yet inflammatory remarks.

  He needn’t have worried. With the state Sir Edmund was in, I suspected that to do so would border on attempted murder.

  “As you became engaged to her while in a relationship with me, I suppose that’s true for us both,” Ashley’s tone was icy, and her blue-gray eyes flashed dangerously.

  “That’s unfair,” Sir Edmund shot back. “You’ve no idea the pressure I’m under!”

  Ashley bit back her response, and slowly let out a deep breath.

  “Then consider yourself relieved, on my account,” she replied calmly.

  “Stop this nonsense, Ash!” Sir Edmund snapped. “I love you, for heaven’s sake! You must know that! I’ve told you often enough.”

  Miles’ grip on my hand tightened. I squeezed back even harder, and he let up a little.

  Ashley’s eyes held pity, as she looked back at Sir Edmund.

  “I suppose you have, but it’s not enough.”

  “I’ll march right in there, and tell mother the deal is off, is that what you want?” Sir Edmund exclaimed. “She’ll fire you straightaway, and kick us both to the curb, as she promised to! I was only trying to spare you!”

  Ashley closed her eyes, and rubbed her forehead wearily.

  “Then I shall give you that much credit, I suppose. Be that as it may, we ceased to see one another the moment you became engaged to someone else.”

  “Then explain later that evening!” Edmund fired back.

  “I was devastated, and desperate to believe you could make it right, and repair the damage done. You can’t. Only I can, and I can’t do it here.”

  �
�How do you expect to repair our relationship by separating, and moving to the mainland?” Sir Edmund asked incredulously.

  “I don’t,” Ashley replied. “Not ours. I’m sorry this is difficult to accept, but I do think if the shoe was on the other foot, you’d feel the same.”

  “I wouldn’t!” Sir Edmund declared.

  I kept my mouth shut, but squeezed Miles’ hand twice.

  “I’ll not accept this!” Sir Edmund stated adamantly.

  “Edmund, you must,” Ashley said wearily.

  “No, I won’t!” he fired back, as he leaped to his feet. Miles rose just as quickly, and blocked his path.

  “Perhaps not,” Miles said firmly. “But that won’t change the truth. Ashley is well within her rights, and you do not have the power or authority to force her to do otherwise.”

  Sir Edmund was momentarily silenced. Before he could formulate a response, his cellphone rang. He snatched it out of his pocket, and glared at the screen. He looked ready to throw it, but instead, he stepped back.

  “Pardon me,” he said stiffly, and headed for the door. He jabbed the screen rather hard, as he stepped into the hall. “What is it now!?”

  His footsteps faded into the distance, and Ashley let out a sigh of exhaustion.

  “How are you?” I asked in sympathy.

  She considered that, and half-smiled.

  “I think I should very much like to see those verses you mentioned.”

  “Do you have time right now?” I asked.

  “Yes, absolutely,” she answered.

  “Then let’s go,” I smiled.

  Chapter 15

  Miles closed the door behind one of the solemn guys, and I lifted the covers from the trays that filled the tea cart. Sandwiches, scones, biscuits—which looked suspiciously like cookies, to me—little cakes, the obligatory pot of hot water, and tea, of course.

  “I’m starving,” I commented, as he joined me.

  “Lunch feels like a long time ago,” Miles agreed. “That’s understandable, seeing as this has been one of our busier days.”

  “I was disappointed to find that the head gardener knew almost as little about Finn, as anyone else,” I said ruefully, as I poured steaming water into the two cups.

  “I wouldn’t say I was surprised,” Miles commented, as he filled plates for us both, and I stirred the tea leaf filled infuser spoon in first one cup, then the other. “He did know Finn had no vehicle, but that he had the use of one, when he needed it.”

  “All the gardening vehicles are accounted for, so we know he didn’t leave in one this time,” I conceded. “I’d still like to know where he went, the times he did leave the manor. You’d think someone would at least know if he spent his days-off in his cottage, or somewhere else.”

  “There was much speculation regarding that,” Miles shook his head a little. “I take it that was all it was?”

  “I heard so many tones today, my ears are practically ringing with them,” I replied. “There wasn’t much else. As unbelievable as it is, I’m about to decide we knew him better than anyone else.”

  “As sad as that is, I guess that’s how he wanted it,” Miles remarked.

  “I can’t imagine wanting that,” I said, then stopped. “No, that’s not the truth. I had no interest in investing in any new relationships either, but then I met you. After that, you were all I wanted.”

  “And now, you have me,” Miles smiled, as he slid a plate in front of me, and kissed my cheek. “Always.”

  “Good, because I’d prefer not to hold you against your will,” I smiled back, as I set a cup of tea beside each of our meals. “Although I certainly would, if I had to.”

  “There’s no need of that,” Miles affirmed, as he returned my hug. “I’m more than willing. Although… for the sake of eating while it’s hot, you might want to save some holding for later.”

  “Fine,” I laughed. “But I’m getting right back to it, after we’re through.”

  “I’m holding you to that,” Miles smiled, then we both turned our attention to the delicious selection in front of us. The food was excellent, and we were both hungry. We spent the next several minutes doing justice to our meals.

  “So what’s next on our agenda?” I finally asked, as we set aside our empty plates, and I brewed two fresh cups of tea. “In relation to our investigations, I mean.”

  “There’s not likely to be time before dinner, but how would you like to visit Ireland tomorrow?”

  “I’d love that,” I enthused. “Even if the address on the magazine in Finn’s cottage wasn’t located there, I’d vote for that.”

  “Two birds, then,” Miles replied, as he reached in his pocket and retrieved his phone. “We’ll make that a priority, and… it’s your sister, calling.”

  I frowned slightly.

  “Shouldn’t she be in school, right now?”

  “Maybe she is,” Miles said, as he answered. “Hi, Doreen. I’m putting you on speaker.”

  “Hi,” I said, since we were on speaker.

  “Hi,” my sister replied. “How are you, and what are you doing?”

  “I’m fine, and we’re having tea,” I answered. “Shouldn’t you be in school?”

  “I am in school,” she said. “Did you catch whoever attacked you last night?”

  “No, but we’ve ruled out a lot of people,” I replied. “What are you, between classes?”

  “I’m in free period. Nobody knows anything?” she questioned.

  “No one we talked to.”

  “Then who haven’t you talked to?” my sister demanded.

  “Most of the rest of the world,” I retorted. “Whoever it was, may have been hired to steal the rose seeds given to me by the gardener who developed them.”

  “Hm,” Doreen replied. She sounded suspicious. “If he managed to develop seeds that will sprout into roses, then I guess they would be in demand. Grandma Thompson said rose bushes only come from cuttings.”

  “They also come from the seeds which form inside the rose hips,” I said very, very patiently. “Finn heard Miles telling me about the hybrids his grandmother, mother, and sister created. I said I’d like to continue that tradition, and since Finn is an expert at hybridizing, he took an interest in our conversation. He crosses different roses to create amazing new varieties. He showed us around his greenhouse, took us through hybridizing 101, then gave me seeds to plant, once we’re back home. He likes the idea of his roses joining the rest of those at the estate.”

  “And you think someone wanted these seeds so bad, they got somebody to break in and steal them?” Doreen asked dubiously. “Why not go straight to this Finn guy, if that’s what they wanted? He’s bound to have more. Or is this like a national treasure? Are they made of gold, or they sprout roses that are? Why else would anybody even care?”

  “That, we don’t yet know,” Miles said. “It does appear as though there’s someone willing to do just about anything, to get them.”

  “That’s nuts,” my sister said disapprovingly. “If there’s something super special about them, Finn ought to know. Why don’t you ask him?”

  “There’s an idea,” I said dryly. “If only we thought of that in the middle of the night, before he went missing.”

  “He’s missing?” my sister’s radar switched on. “How do you know?”

  I exchanged a glance with Miles. He shrugged slightly, and I rolled my eyes.

  “Fine, if you must know,” I resigned myself. She was thousands of miles away. It wasn’t like she could really get involved. “Sometime during the night, Finn’s greenhouse was completely trashed. All the hybrid sprouts, seeds, and the book listing the pollen and seed parents for each, are missing. Based on what we saw, we also think someone was killed there. So far, no body—that body hasn’t been found. We can’t find Finn either, and his cottage also appears to have been ransacked. It doesn’t look good, but we’re really hoping he’s still alright.”

  “That body,” my sister just had to latch onto.
>
  “Yes,” I said grimly. “The body we found, had different injuries.”

  “How do you know how the missing body was injured?” asked the incorrigible child.

  “We just do, and you’re welcome,” I replied. “So we’ve got two murders to solve, plus we’re looking for Finn. It must be awesome to have a free period. Isn’t it about over? And shouldn’t you be using it to do homework, or something?”

  “It just started, and I’m done already. Why would anyone kill for some roses, or break into your room, just to get some seeds?”

  “They must believe they can profit in some way,” Miles replied. “As for the guy in our suite last night, he didn’t break in. It’s most likely he picked the lock. It would be easy enough to accomplish.”

  “The doors open via skeleton key,” I added. “A paperclip would work just as well, either that or a hairpin. I’d be afraid to leave my jewelry unattended, if it wasn’t for Miles’ abilities.”

  “Did they stop this guy from getting the seeds?” Doreen asked.

  “No, Trix gets the credit for that,” Miles answered. “Thanks to her, they were already in our suite at the lodge.”

  “I’ll research hybrids, and see if there’s money in it,” my sister decided. “If there’s enough, that would explain it.”

  “I guess,” I considered. There were people willing to kill for very little. It wouldn’t necessarily take much.

  “Very good, inspector Doreen,” Miles smiled. “That’s one item off our to-do list.”

  “It’s no big deal,” she replied, in a tone that could almost pass for modest. “I’m done researching the Countess and that Delacroix guy, anyway. This’ll give me something else to do, besides read Katharine’s diary. I could use a break, it’s mushy enough to belong on that bookshelf where Mom has all those harlequin novels she told me never to look at. Why is that, anyway?”

  “I have no idea,” I snapped. I didn’t, Mom had the same rule when I was growing up, and what on earth was in that diary, anyway? Oh my word!

  “What did you learn?” Miles asked.

  “Not much. Mom caught me before I got very far,” my disobedient little sister replied grudgingly. “All I know, is it was mushy, and boring.”