Danger on the Downs (A Sleuthing Starlet Mystery Book 2) by Bianca Blythe

Author:Bianca Blythe [Blythe, Bianca]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: south downs, cozy historical mystery, golden age mystery, female protagonist, fun, cozy historical, 1930s, 1930s mystery, dog, english mystery, sussex, woman sleuth
Publisher: Bianca Blythe
Published: 2019-01-21T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

The taxi pulled in front of Orchid Manor, and a constable approached them as they exited. His eyes were drawn together. “You look festive.”

“Just grabbing a bite to eat,” Mr. Rosenfeld said smoothly. “We didn’t go far away.”

The man nodded, though his gaze remained somewhat dubious, and Cora wondered whether they would receive a stern talk from the chief inspector about their temporary absence.

They entered Orchid Manor. The place was quiet, contrasting to the bustle of the village.

“I am going to retire to my room.” Veronica yawned. “I must get my beauty sleep.”

The others also parted, but Cora lingered downstairs. She glanced toward the dining hall, wondering if she may have overlooked a clue.

She must ask Randolph whether the police had found the weapon.

She strode over the floor, grateful marble was not prone to expanding and creaking at sudden moments so as to not make her walking obvious to others in the house. She would not want her desire to help to be confused with a morose curiosity or a suspicious desire to manipulate the crime scene. She peered out the window, but the constable seemed to have decided to stay at the front entrance, and his gaze was not directed toward the rooms inside.

Splendid.

Cora eased the door of the dining room open, seeing the familiar table and chairs. The footmen hadn’t cleared the table, and it was left in the same disarray as before. Napkins lay haphazardly on the table, differing from the elaborate folded swan shapes they’d been in the night before, and the scents of the food, that had seemed to merge so exquisitely the night before, were foul.

Cora stepped into the room hastily and then closed the door with care, wishing it were not quite so heavy. Evidently, the architect had not designed this home with the benefits of intruders in mind.

Guilt moved through her, settling in her chest, and she did her best to dismiss the sensation. Had she missed anything?

She had the curious sensation she was being watched, and she shivered, even though it was three in the afternoon, and the day was at its very warmest. She glanced slowly around the room, looking for the source of this sensation.

Her search was not prolonged.

Two female shoes were visible on the other side of the cabinet. The shoes were attached to stockings, and presumably, a whole person who was standing behind the cabinet.

Perhaps entering this room had been reckless.

Was it Mrs. Ivanov, perhaps mourning her late husband? Or someone else entirely? The murderer?

A maid. It must be a maid.

Perhaps Cora’s entrance had frightened her in the midst of her work.

Cora tried to feel comforted by the thought, but uncertainty still coursed through her.

She could hardly slink out now and pretend nothing had happened. If the other person knew who she was, and it seemed probable, then Cora desired to know who was here too.

She moved toward the cabinet and heard a sudden intake of breath.

Mrs. Badger stood, pressed against the wall. Her eyes shifted this way and that, the epitome of unease.

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