Grave Double: A pawfectly cozy cat mystery (Hettie and Ceefer Mysteries Book 4) by Rennae Todd

Author:Rennae Todd [Todd, Rennae]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: amateur sleuth, animal cozy mystery, australian mystery authors, cozy mystery, paranormal mystery
Publisher: Jakada Books
Published: 2023-12-17T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

The Leadworth Story

“It’s just coming, Mother,” Marion called appearing at that moment with a tray with teapot and cups which she placed on the low table in front of them. She poured a cup and placed it on the little table attached to Cynthia’s wheelchair.

“She ran away?” Hettie questioned, accepting a cup from Marion with a thank you. That wasn’t mentioned in Alicia’s notes.

“That’s what I said,” Cynthia replied, taking up the biscuit Marion placed on the edge of her saucer. “Someone told her she wasn’t a Leadworth, and when she asked Rhona about it, and learnt who she really was, she ran off to the city. Although Perth could barely be called a city back then.”

“That would have been around 1919,” Belle confirmed.

“Something like that.” Cynthia dunked the biscuit in her tea and just got it to her mouth before it fell apart.

“Did you know Alicia Feldhurst was going to be at Woody Lake at the weekend?” Hettie asked.

“No, why should I?” Cynthia replied, mopping biscuit off her chin with a tissue. “I’ve only spoken to her once, on the phone, and that was months ago. What sort of story is she writing about Lily anyway?”

“Well, it’s basically Lily’s life story,” Belle said. “I can give you a copy of the timeline I drew up from her research.” Belle drew a sheet from her folder and handed it to Cynthia. Marion moved to stand beside her mother-in-law to read it with her. There was murmuring as they pored over it.

“Look, Mother,” Marion said pointing. “Sandridges. Do you think Lily was just down the road all that time?”

Hettie and Belle exchanged a quick glance.

“We thought she was working for the Sandridges in Dalkeith,” Hettie said.

“The old lady lived in Dalkeith,” Cynthia said, “but one of the boys, Matthew, lived here in the Valley. His son, James, has the place now. James and Tina. It’s the same as ours, vineyard, and restaurant. I think they have some cabins they rent out, too. Or at least they used to. The Sandridges had a finger in a lot of pies, back in the day, but it’s the grandchildren who run it all now.”

“I’m hoping to talk to the Sandridges about Lily,” Belle said.

“Good luck with that,” was Cynthia’s murmured comment. Interesting. Hettie didn’t think the Sandridges were standoffish. Was there a bit of competition between the two families regarding business?

“There’s also mention of a diary in Alicia’s research. It belonged to Poppy Mason, and it covered the time the boys drowned, but Alicia hadn’t been able to find it. Do you have it, or know anything about it?”

“Poppy Mason’s diary?” Cynthia repeated. “I seem to remember her asking about that too. Where did that idea come from? When Poppy died and Chester left, Rhona cleared out their cottage and saved the papers she found there. There wasn’t much. She left the papers with Dad. If Rhona found a diary, she didn’t pass it on to him.”

“What papers did she find in the Mason’s cottage?” Belle wanted to know.

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