Murder By Multiples (A Meredith and Alec Thatch Mystery Book 1) by Rachel Ford

Author:Rachel Ford [Ford, Rachel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-05-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Merry and Alec stayed until sundown on account of the damage. Alec had enlisted the aid of Robert Clark and a few willing residents, and together they’d found enough spare lumber to block the better part of the windows.

An imperfect fix, and quite dreary, but it would keep out most of the elements.

Graves had already ordered glass, but was given to understand it would take a week to arrive. So Alec decided she’d drive into town the next morning to buy more lumber.

To that end, she took the car with her. Higgins eyed her with grave misgivings, and ran through a careful list of how to treat the vehicle. None of which was news to Alec, but she humored the chauffeur. She might not particularly care for the man, but she at least understood where he was coming from.

If she had a motorcar, she was sure she would dote every bit as tenderly on it herself.

Still, she was glad to put the big house in the rearview. She sensed a similar sentiment in Merry. Unspoken, but there all the same, like a shroud worn about her person.

Glancing over at her wife, at the pensive expression on her face, she asked, “Are you alright?”

Merry returned her gaze, smiling gently. “I am. I’m just thinking of Mrs. Braun.”

Alec grimaced, but could see that Merry’s thoughts were more gently inclined, so said nothing.

“She must be devastated. I don’t understand it, of course. The man struck me as a terrible bully. But I suppose she must have loved him desperately.”

“I doubt a woman like that’s capable of truly loving anyone but herself.”

“No, I don’t think that’s fair,” Merry said slowly. “You saw how upset she was.”

“I did,” Alec confirmed. “But…hold on.” Rounding a slight bend, she saw a figure ahead on the verge. A slow-moving figure, heading toward town. “I think that’s Mr. Clark.”

Taking her foot off the accelerator, she asked, “Do you mind if I offer him a ride?”

Merry shook her head. “Of course not. He must be exhausted, after all the work you two did today.”

The young man watched with curiosity, maybe even a little caution, as they slowed, but he accepted the ride readily enough. “Very kind of you, I’m sure. I’m sure.”

Once or twice as they drove, Merry tried to engage the young man in conversation, but he stared at her as if she was some exotic creature of an altogether different species, and gave stilted answers.

Even Merry’s determined nature flagged, and they passed the journey into town in silence. Then, stopping outside the grocer’s house, Alec waited for him to disembark.

“Very kind, Mr. Thatch,” he said. “I’ll see you tomorrow, then? At the big house?”

“You will indeed,” Alec confirmed cheerily. “Hopefully, with good news.”

He cracked a broad, crooked grin at that. “Good news. Yes. Good news.” With a hearty wave, he turned to the residence.

Alec pulled back onto the road, in the direction of Fern House.

“An unusual young man,” Merry observed.

“Yes. Has some peculiar ideas about women, as a matter of fact.

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