by Lee Strauss
“I was glad to help.”
“You’ll find a cheque will soon arrive for you in the post,” Mr. James Green continued solemnly. “As well, we will be sure to let our people know about your services should the topic arise. Now if you will excuse us.”
“Of course.”
Clement waited for Ginger, Felicia and Haley in the Crossley. Ginger had to admit that having a chauffeur on hand had its merits.
“A sad ending,” Ginger said once they’d settled into the back seat.
Felicia dabbed at her eyes with a silk handkerchief. “Angus didn’t deserve to die like that.”
Ginger patted Felicia’s arm. “Indeed, not.”
“At least they have closure,” Haley said from the front seat. “How awful for them if Angus had continued to be a missing person indefinitely.”
Ginger agreed. “No doubt the Yard is busy trying to match cadaver files with their missing persons’ list.”
“What’s going to happen to Dr. Watts?” Haley asked. Her face blanched whenever she spoke of him. His criminal deceit was a blemish on the medical school and all who were associated with it. Haley had trusted and admired him.
“Since he didn’t have anything to do with the murders, I doubt he’ll hang,” Ginger said, “but he’s likely to be in prison for the rest of his life.”
Haley pinched her eyes together. “I just can’t believe it. He’s offered so much to science—forensic pathology in particular—and his support of education for women made such inroads.”
“His wife’s illness made him vulnerable,” Ginger said.
Dr. Watts had been approached by one of Sabini’s men six months earlier when Mrs. Watts started receiving care at home. Full-time nursing came at a cost, and Dr. Watts thought he’d signed up for a one-time thing.
But the bodies kept coming, and Dr. Watts couldn’t say no to Sabini over the threat of harm to his wife. He’d broken down in tears of shame, admitting that he’d returned Ginger’s pistol to her handbag after Fred had stolen it, and Bugs had used it to kill Jane Ellery.
“I pity him,” Ginger said.
After the funeral, Ginger sought out young Scout and took him to the former stables of Hartigan House. “I was a little younger than you when I moved to America,” she said, “but I remember all the horses my father used to own. Beautiful beasts, with glossy hair, gorgeous long tails, and mischief in their eyes.”
“Horses are grand, missus.”
“I agree. These stables have been empty for many years, but not anymore.”
Scout’s impish face brightened. “You got a horse, missus?”
“Indeed.”
Ginger opened the stable door and was hit with the scent of the living: fresh hay, horse breath, fresh manure. Scout gaped at the gorgeous animal that stood before them. His hair was silky-blond and shimmered in the sunlight that filtered in through the windows.
“Blimey!” Scout muttered.
“It’s a special breed of horse called an Akhal-Teke.”
Ginger had asked Pippins to make enquiries, and it turned out that Sabini wasn’t the only horse handler with an Akahl-Teke. Ginger had arranged to make a purchase sometime before the shooting incident at Saffron Stables, and the animal had arrived just that morning. Clement turned out to be more than an expert on gardens, but on horses as well, and Ginger had proclaimed him her stable keeper.
“He’s brand new to the household, just like you, Scout. I thought maybe you’d like to help take care of him.”
Scout’s eyes rounded into saucers. “Are you certain, missus?”
“I am. I think the two of you will become good friends.”
Scout rubbed the horse’s silky flank. “What’s his name, missus?”
“I don’t know. What do you think we should call him?”
“He’s so yellow, like Gold. How about Goldmine, missus.”
“I love it, Scout! A perfect name.”
It’d been a week since Basil had killed Lorenzo “Bugs” Bugini, but so much had happened afterwards, it felt much longer to Ginger.
She’d been to visit Basil every day, and though they never talked about the near-kiss or the imaginary “holiday,” their bond of friendship had clearly grown. Ginger was just relieved that Basil had survived. The doctors had reported that his wound was healing nicely and that he would soon be released from hospital. Though a similar injury, it was not nearly as serious as the damage he’d incurred during the war.
Ginger wondered if they’d pursue something more serious once Basil was back on his feet and things normalised. They needed time to get to know one another, beyond colleagues. It had taken this crisis to confirm to Ginger that this was what she wanted. Basil had asked for a second chance, and Ginger wanted that too.
Ginger was excited to tell Basil about Goldmine and how Scout was settling in.
Her heart beat with anticipation as she entered the hospital. The door to his room was opened slightly, and Ginger heard voices as she approached.
She froze when she peeked inside.
Emelia Reed was sitting with him, holding his hand, tears running down her cheeks. Basil regarded her with kindness and compassion.
Ginger stepped out of sight and pressed against the wall, and gasped as if she had been punched in the stomach. It was happening again.
Like Dr. Watts, Basil was devoted to his wife.
As Daniel had been with her.
When was she ever going to learn?
Tears prickled at the back of her eyes as she debated what to do. Scout, Goldmine, and all the occupants of Hartigan House were enough to fill her days and her heart. She didn’t need an uncertain romance.
Just as she was about to push away from the wall, Emelia Reed left Basil’s room. She peered at the floor, not seeing Ginger standing there. The lady’s eyes were swollen and red.
Ginger was torn. Should she refuse to see Basil now to protect her own emotions? Or should she boldly ask him to reveal personal matters between a husband and wife? Ginger shifted her shoulders back. No matter what, Basil was still a friend. It was her duty to give him an opportunity to explain.
Besides, she needed to know: Whom did Basil Reed love?
Ginger wouldn’t leave this hospital until she found out.
* * *
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Don’t miss Murder at Kensington Gardens!
Murder’s not a walk in the park . . .
War widow fashionista, Ginger Gold, makes a gruesome discovery while walking her dog, Boss, through Kensington Gardens. A woman of ill-repute is dead.
When Chief Inspector Basil Reed becomes a prime suspect, the blustery and often times pigheaded Superintendent Morris pulls him off the case. Ginger’s not about to be pushed around by the superintendent, and investigates the case on her own—taking her into the spicy world of burlesque dancers—regardless his warnings: if she doesn’t butt out, she’ll be arrested for impeding a police investigation.
Despite Ginger and Basil’s strained friendship, they agree to work together to find the killer. It’s a proposition neither one may survive.
Buy on Amazon or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited!
Or SAVE when you buy the next 2 book bundle!
Includes Murder at Kensington Gardens and Murder at St. George’s Church.
Buy on Amazon or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited!
* * *
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More from Lee Strauss
On AMAZON
GINGER GOLD MYSTERY SERIES (cozy 1920s historical)
Cozy. Charming. Filled with Bright Young Things. This Jazz Age murder mystery wi
ll entertain and delight you with its 1920s flair and pizzazz!
Murder on the SS Rosa
Murder at Hartigan House
Murder at Bray Manor
Murder at Feathers & Flair
Murder at the Mortuary
Murder at Kensington Gardens
Murder at St. George’s Church
Murder Aboard the Flying Scotsman
Murder at the Boat Club
Murder on Eaton Square
Murder by Plum Pudding
Murder on Fleet Street
Murder at Brighton Beach
LADY GOLD INVESTIGATES (Ginger Gold companion short stories)
Volume 1
Volume 2
Volume 3
HIGGINS & HAWKE MYSTERY SERIES (cozy 1930s historical)
The 1930s meets Rizzoli & Isles in this friendship depression era cozy mystery series.
Death at the Tavern
Death on the Tower
Death on Hanover
THE ROSA REED MYSTERIES
(1950s cozy historical)
Murder at High Tide
Murder on the Boardwalk
Murder at the Bomb Shelter
Murder on Location
Murder and Rock ’n Roll
A NURSERY RHYME MYSTERY SERIES(mystery/sci fi)
Marlow finds himself teamed up with intelligent and savvy Sage Farrell, a girl so far out of his league he feels blinded in her presence - literally - damned glasses! Together they work to find the identity of @gingerbreadman. Can they stop the killer before he strikes again?
Gingerbread Man
Life Is but a Dream
Hickory Dickory Dock
Twinkle Little Star
THE PERCEPTION TRILOGY (YA dystopian mystery)
Zoe Vanderveen is a GAP—a genetically altered person. She lives in the security of a walled city on prime water-front property along side other equally beautiful people with extended life spans. Her brother Liam is missing. Noah Brody, a boy on the outside, is the only one who can help ~ but can she trust him?
Perception
Volition
Contrition
LIGHT & LOVE (sweet romance)
Set in the dazzling charm of Europe, follow Katja, Gabriella, Eva, Anna and Belle as they find strength, hope and love.
Sing me a Love Song
Your Love is Sweet
In Light of Us
Lying in Starlight
PLAYING WITH MATCHES (WW2 history/romance)
A sobering but hopeful journey about how one young Germany boy copes with the war and propaganda. Based on true events.
A Piece of Blue String (companion short story)
THE CLOCKWISE COLLECTION (YA time travel romance)
Casey Donovan has issues: hair, height and uncontrollable trips to the 19th century! And now this ~ she's accidentally taken Nate Mackenzie, the cutest boy in the school, back in time. Awkward.
Clockwise
Clockwiser
Like Clockwork
Counter Clockwise
Clockwork Crazy
Clocked (companion novella)
Standalones
Seaweed
Love, Tink
Ginger Gold’s Journal
Sign up for Lee’s readers list and gain access to Ginger Gold’s private Journal. Find out about Ginger’s Life before the SS Rosa and how she became the woman she has. This is a fluid document that will cover her romance with her late husband Daniel, her time serving in the British secret service during World War One, and beyond. Includes a recipe for Dark Dutch Chocolate Cake!
It begins: July 31, 1912
How fabulous that I found this Journal today, hidden in the bottom of my wardrobe. Good old Pippins, our English butler in London, gave it to me as a parting gift when Father whisked me away on our American adventure so he could marry Sally. Pips said it was for me to record my new adventures. I’m ashamed I never even penned one word before today. I think I was just too sad.
This old leather-bound journal takes me back to that emotional time. I had shed enough tears to fill the ocean and I remember telling Father dramatically that I was certain to cause flooding to match God’s. At eight years old I was well-trained in my biblical studies, though, in retro-spect, I would say that I had probably bordered on heresy with my little tantrum.
The first week of my “adventure” was spent with a tummy ache and a number of embarrassing sessions that involved a bucket and Father holding back my long hair so I wouldn’t soil it with vomit.
I certainly felt that I was being punished for some reason. Hartigan House—though large and sometimes lonely—was my home and Pips was my good friend. He often helped me to pass the time with games of I Spy and Xs and Os.
“Very good, Little Miss,” he’d say with a twinkle in his blue eyes when I won, which I did often. I suspect now that our good butler wasn’t beyond letting me win even when unmerited.
Father had got it into his silly head that I needed a mother, but I think the truth was he wanted a wife. Sally, a woman half my father’s age, turned out to be a sufficient wife in the end, but I could never claim her as a mother.
Well, Pips, I’m sure you’d be happy to know that things turned out all right here in America.
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Acknowledgments
It takes a village to raise a child and a literary village to birth a book. Many thanks to out to my “villagers,” Angelika Offenwanger, Heather Belleguelle, Connie Leap, Norm Strauss, Shadi Bleiken, and most recently, Molly C. Quinn of Castle fame!
My IRL (in real life) villagers, my parents Gene and Lucille Franke; husband Norm Strauss; kids Joel & Shadi, Levi, Jordan and Tasia; and my close friends, Donna, Shawn, Norine, Lori and Marie - thanks for keeping me sane and grounded.
To YOU, dear reader for even reading these acknowledgments. Without you, I wouldn’t be writing a page like this. Thank you for loving Ginger Gold and for joining along for the ride!
A special shout out to readers Jane Wagman and Phyllis Mydan for their contribution to horse names in this book, Final Verdict and Goldmine, respectively.
And as always I’m thankful to God for his mercies that are new every morning.
Murder at the Mortuary
© 2017 Lee Strauss
Cover by Steven Novak
Illustrations by Tasia Strauss
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.
This is a work of fiction. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
La Plume Press
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ISBN: 978-1-988677-11-8