A Riviera Rendezvous by Shéa MacLeod

Author:Shéa MacLeod
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: British Cozy mystery, murder mystery, private investigator, england, small town
Publisher: Sunwalker Press
Published: 2021-12-28T00:00:00+00:00

LATE IN THE EVENING, I collected Tippy for a walk. He actually seemed happy to see me for once. Likely because I offered him a bit of leftover lamb from supper. He was nothing if not bribable.

The cook was busy preparing for the next day while the maid, Yvette, was washing up. They both were far too busy for a chat. Particularly as Yvette was in the midst of washing a set of wickedly sharp knives.

Tippy and I ambled along the garden, down a few flights of stairs, until we found ourselves at the pool. Moonlight glimmered off the dark water, and a slight breeze stirred the greenery surrounding the pool, filling the air with the soft, powdery scent of mimosa flowers. Tippy flopped down on the pavers, making it clear he needed a rest before climbing back up.

I sank onto a nearby bench and enjoyed what view there was in the dark, and the rare solitary moment. In a house nearly overflowing with people, it was almost impossible to get a moment alone unless I locked myself in my bedroom. Unlike Toni, I wasn’t used to being surrounded by people all the time. Normally it was just Tippy and me in great-aunt Euphegenia’s cozy little cottage. Sure, I did the odd investigative job for Mr. Woodward, but this particular one involved a lot more guests and a much longer time period than usual. Fortunately, it also meant a bigger paycheck, which was a good thing as I was hoping to make a trip home to Oregon for a visit.

Something rustled in the nearby bushes. I froze, and Tippy’s ears twitched. His head swiveled in the direction of the noise. It was probably just a night creature of some kind. Nothing to worry about. Then came the sound of leather scuffing against stone. Someone was coming down the stairs.

I don’t know why I did it, but I found myself scurrying behind a thicket of tall shrubs, Tippy in tow. I made it just in time, for a man came into view. It was too dark for me to see who he was.

“Freddy?” His voice was a sort of low whisper-hiss, but it carried easily on the night air.

“I’m here.” A second figure stepped from where the bushes had rustled. Clearly, it was Freddy. Had he seen me?

Apparently not, because Freddy immediately held something out to the first man. Pale light glinted off a sharp blade, and I slapped my hand over my mouth so I didn’t gasp out loud and give myself away.

“What the devil are you doing with that?” the first man said. Unfortunately, I didn’t recognize his voice, nor did anything about him stand out.

“I found it.” Freddy’s voice was urgent. “I don’t know what to do.”

“Get rid of it, that’s what. Do you want to get yourself locked up for murder?”

“Do you think it’s the murder weapon?” Freddy asked.

“Of course it is, you dunce. Where did you find it? Never mind. I don’t want to know. And I don’t want to know where it ends up.

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