The Mermaid Garden
Page 45
Clementine lifted her chin and kissed his neck. “I totally understand.”
“I love you, Clementine. I think we’re going to be very happy here.”
She sighed contentedly, remembering her yearning to run away but unable now to recall exactly what it felt like. “I love you, too, Rafa,” she replied, nuzzling closer. “There’s nowhere else in the world I’d rather be.”
THE DAWCOMB-DEVLISH GAZETTE
“BAFFLES” GENTLEMAN THIEF CASE DRAMA—NEW MYSTIFYING DEVELOPMENTS—POLICE BAFFLED (AGAIN!)
The spate of burglaries in the Dawcomb-Devlish area, targeting family treasures in stately homes and country house hotels, has been dubbed the “Baffles” case after the eponymous hero of the movie, Raffles, who is a Gentleman Thief. But the case, which has generated both fear and amusement across Devon, has confounded the police. Now it has taken a dramatic turn.
If anyone thought the Baffles case could not get any more mysterious, they were wrong. In a sensational twist, it seems the thief was indeed something of a gentleman: he has started to return his ill-gotten gains.
The first item returned was the silver from Mr. and Mrs. Greville-Jones of Cherry Manor, Salcombe. Last Thursday, they discovered their silver service, worth £20,000, laid up on their dining room table with a note that read: Sorry the silver polishing took so long. Baffles. “It was as if it was laid up for one of my usual dinner parties,” said Mrs. Greville-Jones.
Mrs. Powell of Watertown Park, Thurlestone, found her diamond ring on the windowsill: This will put the sparkle back on your finger. My advice, never take it off again! Baffles, read the note.
The police, however, are unamused: “The perpetrator in this incident may find this amusing,” said Detective Inspector Reginald Bud, “but we regard this as a serious incident of breaking and entering.”
One victim, who wishes to remain anonymous, commented: “I leave my front door unlocked now to make it easier for him, and my ten-year-old son leaves cakes and a glass of milk on the kitchen table in case he’s feeling hungry. A bit like Santa Claus.”