The Quinton Case: A Markham Sisters Cozy Mystery Novella

by Xarissa, Diana

  Janet wasn’t sure how to respond to that. She was fairly certain that Edward was doing something he shouldn’t, but she was incredibly grateful that he was willing to help. “Are you still coming to visit in January?” she asked after a long silence.

  “I believe so, but I won’t know for certain for a few more days. I’ll ring you on Christmas or Boxing Day. I should know by then, but even if I don’t, I’ll want to wish you happy holidays.”

  “Oh, yes, of course. I keep forgetting that it’s nearly Christmas. There’s too much going on, I suppose.”

  “What have you asked Father Christmas for this year?” Edward asked.

  Janet laughed. “If we can have this mess with Roland sorted, I won’t want another thing.”

  “Leave that with me,” Edward said sternly. “If nothing else, I can match Michael’s offer. I’d be more than happy to give you and Joan the money you need to satisfy Roland.”

  “You’ve already spent far too much money on me,” Janet said quickly. “We can’t possibly accept your generous offer.”

  “But you’re considering accepting the money from Michael.”

  “He and Joan are, well, they’re a couple.”

  Edward sighed. “And you and I are not? Is that what you’re saying?”

  “I don’t know what we are,” Janet told him. “I’ve only spent a handful of days with you since we first met. You ring sporadically and I’ve no way to reach you between calls. You’re secretive, evasive, and annoying, mostly, but I still find myself drawn to you.”

  “I suppose that will have to satisfy me for now. I’m doing my best to retire, I truly am, but there are complications. Apparently I’m rather difficult to replace. I suppose, with all of my years of experience, that isn’t surprising, though.”

  The front door opened and Roland strolled into the house. He smiled at Janet. “Good evening,” he said.

  “Who’s that?” Edward asked.

  “Good evening, Roland,” Janet replied.

  “I mustn’t interrupt your call, though,” Roland said. “I believe I’ll have an early night.”

  Janet watched as Roland walked out of the room and up the stairs.

  “Has he gone?” Edward asked.

  The front door opened again. This time it was Joan.

  “Joan’s home,” Janet told Edward. “I suppose I should go.”

  “Tell her not to worry,” he replied. “I have things in hand and my offer still stands. Tell Joan about it. She might be more willing to accept it than you are.”

  Janet made a face at the receiver as she put it down. “Edward has offered to give us the money to pay off Roland,” she told her sister. “He’s going to investigate first, though.”

  “That’s very generous of him. I wonder what he’s expecting in return?”

  “Why must he be expecting something? Or should I ask what Michael is expecting?”

  Joan flushed. “Michael isn’t expecting anything. He simply wants to help. You know I’m always suspicious of Edward’s motives, though.”

  Janet nodded. “Regardless, he’s going to see what he can do. I’m going to go to bed. I just hope I can sleep.”

  She gave Joan a hug and then headed up to her room. As she crawled into bed, she found that she was feeling a good deal more optimistic than she had been the previous evening. The offer from Michael was part of that, but she realised that her conversation with Edward was a larger part. If Edward was investigating, then no doubt everything was going to turn out fine.

  She wasn’t as confident when she went down for breakfast the next morning.

  “I helped myself to some cereal,” Roland said from his seat at the kitchen table. “I was sure you wouldn’t mind.”

  Janet frowned. She minded very much. This wasn’t his house and he shouldn’t have been making himself at home.

  “Where’s Joan?” she asked.

  “I haven’t seen her,” was the unexpected reply.

  Joan was always out of bed well before Janet. Feeling worried about her sister, Janet headed for Joan’s room. She knocked and then began to wonder what she’d do if Joan didn’t answer.

  “I’m here and I’m fine,” Joan told her when she’d opened the door. “I was in the kitchen, thinking about pancakes and bacon, when I heard Roland coming down the stairs. I shouldn’t have done it, but I found myself rushing back here to hide from him,” she said, blushing.

  “I don’t blame you a bit. Maybe we can both hide in here until he’s finished his cereal and gone out somewhere.”

  “Which cereal is he eating?”

  Janet told her.

  “Oh, good. That’s my least favourite and it’s nearly out of date,” Joan smiled.

  Janet chuckled. “I’ll go back and see how he’s doing. You can stay here until the coast is clear if you’re going to make pancakes and bacon for breakfast.”

  Roland was just getting to his feet as Janet walked back into the room.

  “I must dash,” he said. “As you weren’t able to accommodate Eldridge here, I’m afraid I’m going to be running back and forth to Derby every day while he’s in the area.”

  Janet didn’t bother to reply. Instead, she picked up the cereal bowl that he’d had left on the kitchen table and rinsed it. By the time she’d put it in the dishwasher, Roland was gone.

  “I was in the corridor when he came out of the kitchen,” Joan said as she walked into the room. “He slammed the front door on his way out.”

  “I didn’t say a word,” Janet protested.

  Joan shrugged. “Let’s have breakfast.”

  After their delicious breakfast, the pair debated what to do for the day.

  “I don’t want to leave Doveby House empty,” Joan said, “but I do need to get to the supermarket. It’s nearly Christmas.”

  “You go. I’ll stay here and read a book or something,” Janet told her. “Someone needs to be here in case the post comes, too. I don’t know for sure, but I think things sent overnight post have to be signed for when delivered.”

  Half an hour later, Janet found herself pacing again. She was heading for the library to find something to read when the front door swung open. Roland looked surprised to see her as he and Eldridge walked into the house.

  “I thought you’d be out somewhere,” he said.

  Janet shrugged. “Joan went grocery shopping. I didn’t feel the need to go along.”

  Roland nodded. “Eldridge and I wanted a quiet place to talk, that’s all. We have mutual business interests and a few things have come up that need discussing.”

  “You’re welcome to use the television lounge,” Janet suggested.

  The men exchanged glances. “Sure, why not?” Eldridge said.

  Janet showed them to the small room at the back of the house and then left them alone, shutting the door as she went. While it was tempting to consider locking them inside, she knew it would cause nothing but trouble. She wasn’t actually certain where the key was, anyway.

  The small conservatory was right next door to the television lounge. Janet curled up there with a book, keeping one eye on the door to the other room. Joan came home before Eldridge and Roland emerged.

  “What sort of business interests?” Joan asked as Janet helped her unpack the shopping in the kitchen.

  “I’ve no idea. They didn’t say.”

  “This is all very odd. They could have gone anywhere to have their meeting. They could have just talked in Eldridge’s hotel room. Why are they here?”

  Janet shrugged. A knock on the door saved her from having to try to think of an answer for Joan.

  “Ah, good morning,” Peter Plumber said. “I don’t suppose that will has turned up yet?”

  “Not yet,” Janet confirmed.

  She took him into the kitchen, where Joan put the kettle on immediately.

  “I’m sorry, ladies, but I spent several hours with Mr. Quinton and Mr. Dickerson last night, and I have to tell you that I believe they are telling the truth. My best adv
ice, as your solicitor, is to agree to the terms that Mr. Dickerson suggested yesterday,” Peter said as he sipped his tea.

  “I don’t think we’re ready to agree to anything yet,” Janet said. “We still haven’t seen the will, after all.”

  “I’m sure once that arrives, we’ll be able to settle everything quickly and easily,” Peter said. “If you do decide to sell Doveby House, I can act as your solicitor for dealing with the sale, as well.”

  “We aren’t selling Doveby House,” Janet said firmly.

  Peter shrugged. “I didn’t realise you had enough money in the bank to pay Roland what’s he’s owed, but good for you if you do.”

  “Roland hasn’t proven that he’s owed anything yet,” Janet reminded him.

  “Yes, of course. I’m just trying to give you the best possible advice that I can. If this gets dragged out for much longer, it could get expensive, especially if Roland decides to go after the entire estate.”

  “Was there anything else?” Joan asked as he emptied his cup.

  He blinked and gave her a surprised look. “Not specifically. I came over to see if the will was here yet, of course.”

  “We’ll ring when it arrives,” Janet told him, getting to her feet. “I’m sure you have a great many things to take care of in your office in the meantime.”

  “Well, yes, of course I do. I was trying to help you, that’s all,” he replied, clearly annoyed.

  “While we’re grateful, we can’t afford to pay you for sitting around our house all day waiting for the post,” Janet said bluntly. “We’ll ring you when it arrives.”

  She was escorting the man back through the sitting room when Roland and Eldridge reappeared.

  “Peter,” Roland said happily. “It’s good to see you again.”

  The three men exchanged handshakes and pleasantries, leaving Janet convinced that Peter was far too friendly with the other two men.

  “We were going to go and get some lunch,” Roland said. “Want to come along?” he invited Peter.

  “Oh, yes, please,” Peter replied happily.

  A knock on the door kept Janet from telling Peter exactly what she thought of his behaviour. She pulled the door open, expecting the postman.

  “Good afternoon,” the handsome fifty-something man at the door said. “Mr. Bennett sent me.” He stepped into the house, dragging a rather large suitcase behind him.

  Janet stepped backwards and simply stared, unable to speak.

  Chapter 9

  “Who are you?” Eldridge barked at the new arrival.

  “Mr. Quinton, I presume,” the man replied. “I am Marcus Talford. You must be Roland Dickerson,” he continued, nodding at Roland. “And I’ll guess that you are Peter Plumber.”

  Peter nodded. “But how do you know who I am?” he demanded.

  “It’s my business to know a great many things,” Marcus replied. He looked over at Janet and winked at her. “I know, for instance, that you’ve been saving a room for me.”

  “We have,” Janet agreed, hoping that the man was who he claimed to be. Everything about him suggested that he was at least as wealthy as Eldridge Quinton, from his brightly polished shoes to his watch, which was a good deal more subtle than Eldridge’s gold one but looked as if it had probably cost more.

  Marcus nodded. “I’ll just put my bags in my room, if I may, and then we’ll talk about getting some lunch, shall we?”

  Janet nodded. “I’ll get Joan,” she said quickly.

  It took her thirty seconds to let Joan know what was happening. The other three men all watched silently as Joan led Marcus out of the room and up the stairs a moment later.

  “Who is he, then, cousin?” Roland demanded.

  “The friend of a friend,” Janet replied.

  “He looks familiar. Where does he live?” Eldridge asked.

  “You’ll have to ask him that,” Janet said.

  “I believe I will,” Eldridge muttered.

  “He’ll be right down,” Joan told Janet and the others when she returned.

  “Doveby House is every bit as lovely as Edward told me it would be,” Marcus said when he rejoined them. “I wish I could stay longer, but I’m afraid this will be something of a flying visit.”

  “We’re just glad you’re here,” Janet replied, wondering who he was and why Edward had sent him.

  “We have much to discuss, but lunch is my most pressing concern at the moment,” Marcus said. “The drive from London took ages and breakfast was many hours ago.”

  “Where in London do you live?” Eldridge asked.

  “Near the city centre,” Marcus replied.

  “Really? Specifically where?” Eldridge pressed him.

  Marcus sighed. “I don’t generally give out my address to people I don’t know well. Perhaps once we’re better acquainted, I might be more forthcoming. Or maybe I’m just grumpy because I’m hungry.”

  Janet chuckled. “Where would you like to go for lunch?”

  “Edward told me that the café just up the road does good food,” Marcus replied. “That suits me, if you and Joan don’t mind?”

  “It’s one of my favourite places to eat,” Janet told him.

  Joan frowned, and Janet remembered that she hadn’t wanted to leave the house available to Roland and Eldridge.

  “Your little café sounds charming,” Eldridge said. “I hope we won’t be a bother if we come along.”

  “Of course not,” Marcus said quickly. “The more the merrier, especially this near to Christmas.”

  Janet went up to her room to comb her hair and add some lipstick to her lips. Marcus was charming and handsome. In many ways he reminded her of Edward, really. He was alone in the sitting room when she got back down the stairs.

  “I sent the others ahead to get us a table,” he told her. “Edward filled me in on everything that you told him last night. What’s happened so far today?”

  Janet told him about Peter’s unexpected visit and his suggestion that they settle things with Roland.

  “If I had a suspicious mind, I’d suspect that Eldridge offered Peter some sort of bribe to talk you into agreeing to Roland’s terms,” Marcus said as Joan rejoined them. “I’m sure Peter wouldn’t do anything like that, though,” he said with a wink.

  He insisted on driving them to the café in a gorgeous black luxury car. Janet slid into the soft leather seat and sighed. “I’d love a car like this,” she said.

  “I can tell Edward,” Marcus suggested.

  “Oh, goodness, no,” Janet exclaimed. “He’s already bought me one car. I can’t have him doing that again.”

  Marcus laughed. “He’s very generous, is Edward, but he’s a good man. I wouldn’t have dropped everything and come up here without notice for just about anyone else in the world.”

  “I hope we aren’t ruining your Christmas,” Janet said.

  “I don’t do much for Christmas, really,” he replied. “It’s usually rather frustrating as everything is shut and I have to take time off, whether I want to or not. I’d rather be working.”

  “What is it you do?” Joan asked from the back of the car.

  Marcus chuckled. “If I told you, I’d have to kill you,” he replied softly as he slid the car into a parking space at the café.

  Janet didn’t look at her sister as they both climbed out of the car. Marcus had only been teasing, surely, but his words had been somewhat unsettling. Inside the café, Roland and the others were sitting at a table for eight. Marcus escorted the sisters to the table, sitting between them.

  “Janet, Joan, I didn’t realise you were with these gentlemen,” Ted said as he came out of the kitchen. “I was hoping you’d stop in again before Christmas. Don’t leave without your Christmas gifts.”

  “Christmas gifts?” Janet echoed. “You weren’t meant to get us Christmas gifts.”

  Ted laughed. “Todd and I got little presents for some of our best customers. Nothing expensive or fancy, just small tokens to thank you for your continued
patronage. It’s all part of doing business in a small community, really.”

  Janet nodded. She and Joan had sent Christmas cards to a few of the guests who’d stayed at Doveby House over the past year, the ones that they truly hoped would visit again. They hadn’t thought about sending gifts, or about buying anything for the two men who ran the small café, though.

  Ted passed around menus and then told them all about the specials for the day. “Christmas dinner has been the biggest favourite,” he concluded. “It’s everything you’ll be eating in a few days’ time, but everyone still seems to want it.”

  “It does sound good,” Janet admitted. “I’ll have Christmas dinner, please.”

  After a moment, everyone else at the table joined her in ordering the same. Ted laughed. “We should have cancelled the regular menu on the first of December and just done Christmas dinner for everyone for the month. It would have been easier, and I don’t think anyone would have complained.”

  “So, what do you do?” Eldridge asked Marcus as soon as Ted had gone.

  “I work for Scotland Yard,” Marcus replied. “I’m in the major fraud division. Mostly I deal with forgeries and counterfeits.”

  Roland’s face seemed to drain of colour. He looked at Eldridge, who frowned and then turned back to Marcus.

  “How fascinating,” he said. “You must have some wonderful stories you could tell.”

  Marcus shrugged. “The truly interesting ones I can’t repeat,” he said. “I’ve hundreds of tales of family members forging wills to try to get a larger share of an estate and I could talk for hours about people trying to print counterfeit banknotes and failing. I’d rather talk about you, though,” he told Roland. “Tell me how you’re related to Janet and Joan.”

  Ted brought drinks to the table as Marcus and Roland talked. Janet paid little attention as Roland explained the somewhat complicated family relationship between them.

  “Have you always been interested in your family history?” Marcus asked.

  “Not really,” Roland shrugged. “Ah, the food is here.”

  While everyone ate, Roland and Eldridge chatted loudly about several of their mutual friends back in London. Janet didn’t bother to interrupt, choosing instead to focus on enjoying her delicious food. Marcus seemed to be paying very close attention, though.