EARL GREY ALIBI by Fiona Grace

Author:Fiona Grace [Grace, Fiona]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2025-04-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

The drawing room of Blackwood Estate felt oppressively quiet, broken only by the steady ticking of the grandfather clock in the corner. Lucas paced by the window, his brow furrowed in concentration.

"Penny, relax," he said, contrary to his own body language, pausing to give me a reassuring smile. "Constable Smythe will be here any minute."

I let out a shaky breath. "I know, I know. It's just... this waiting is killing me. What do you think she found out?"

Lucas ran a hand through his hair, mussing it in that adorably disheveled way that made my heart skip. "Hard to say. But she wouldn't insist she come in person unless it was important."

I nodded, remembering the cryptic phone call earlier. My gaze drifted to the empty chair where Jack might have sat. "I wish Jack didn't have to leave. Having the whole impromptu team here would be nice."

"He'll rejoin us soon," Lucas assured me. "Estate duties wait for no man, not even in the middle of a murder investigation."

I was about to reply when the crunch of gravel outside caught our attention. We both turned to the window, watching as a police car pulled up the long driveway.

"She's here," I whispered, my stomach doing somersaults.

Lucas moved to stand beside me, his hand briefly squeezing my shoulder. The gesture, small as it was, helped calm my nerves.

Moments later, Constable Smythe swept into the room, her face a mask of professional detachment. It came to my immediate attention that she was alone. No dour Ashberry accompanied her.

"Where's Ashberry?" I blurted out before I could stop myself.

Smythe's lips thinned. "This meeting is off the record. What I'm about to share with you is highly confidential, and only as a favor for you, Mr. Bennett."

The atmosphere in the room instantly shifted, tension crackling like static electricity. I glanced at Lucas, seeing my own apprehension mirrored in his eyes.

“I appreciate it,” Lucas replied quietly.

“And I appreciate your help in the matter of that water-rights dispute for my cousin,” Smythe answered—quite pointedly. I understood the tit-for-tat that was happening, and was grateful to Lucas. He had pulled some local strings to get information.

"Please, have a seat," I offered, gesturing to the chair across from us. My mind raced with possibilities. What could be so sensitive about the case that Smythe felt the need for secrecy?

As Smythe settled into the chair, I had the fleeting thought that a nice cup of tea would do wonders for all our nerves right now. But somehow, I doubted that suggesting a tea break would be appropriate given the gravity of the situation.

Instead, I leaned forward, my curiosity overriding my anxiety. "What have you discovered, Constable?"

Constable Smythe cleared her throat, her eyes darting between Lucas and me. "Before I share our findings, I need to stress the importance of your cooperation in this matter. This is a serious crime, and any information you have in response to what I’m about to share could be crucial."

I nodded vigorously. "Of course, we understand completely," I assured her.

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