Murder at High Tide: a 1950s cozy historical mystery (A Rosa Reed Mystery) by Lee Strauss & Norm Strauss

Author:Lee Strauss & Norm Strauss [Strauss, Lee & Strauss, Norm]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
ISBN: 9781774090855
Publisher: La Plume Press
Published: 2020-03-23T23:00:00+00:00

After breakfast, Rosa straddled the Schwinn and headed back into town. Now that she was on the case, it was natural that she’d pop into the police station occasionally.

It had nothing to do with wanting to see Miguel again.

Nothing at all.

It occurred to Rosa that her American counterparts might frown at her mode of transportation, but in London, riding one’s bike was a common choice, even for the police.

The street leveled off, and she entered the outskirts of town and rode through a small industrial district with small factories, welding and steel fabrication shops, and several automotive repair businesses. She slowed the bike down as she entered the main street where the cafes and clothing stores were located. Stepping off the Schwinn, she walked a few blocks and admired the store window displays in the fashion shops. The smell of fresh pastry tempted her as she passed a bakery. A few minutes later, she emerged nibbling on a delicious custard-filled éclair while trying not to get any of it on her shirt. She grabbed her bike with her free hand and kept walking.

As Rosa rounded the side of the building, a soft mewling sound coming from behind a large metal garbage container piqued her curiosity. She leaned her bike against the building and walked towards the sound. Finding a dirty cardboard box on its side, she stooped to look inside. Two large, round green eyes peered back at her.

Oh, me bleedin’ ’eart.

The eyes belonged to a tiny brown tabby huddled against the back of the box. Rosa scanned the area for the mother or the owner, but there was nothing to be found. Returning to the bakery, Rosa asked the lady at the counter if she knew anything about the kitten.

The clerk, a plump lady with a ready smile, stared back wide-eyed.

“A kitten, just left on its own?”

“It appears so.”

“Oh, poor thing.”

“You don’t know anyone in the area who might’ve lost a kitten?” It was a pleasant way to ask if someone was hardhearted enough to leave a kitten to its own devices in a box in the alley.

“No, honey. No one in the building has said anything about a kitten or a cat.”

Rosa bought another pastry for the woman’s troubles. Just as she was about to step outside, a middle-aged woman wearing a simple day dress, hat and gloves, entered. Rosa’s eye’s widened in recognition.

“Mrs. Davidson?”

The lady’s somber expression turned into a smile. “Rosa? Is it really you?”

“Yes, madam. I’m back for a visit.” Rosa added a quick amendment. “Only just arrived. How’s Nancy?”

Nancy Davidson had been Rosa’s very best friend during their high school years. Sadly, they had lost touch over time.

“Nancy’s married, as you might know. Eddie’s a good enough fellow.” The way she said it made Rosa doubt the woman’s convictions. “All the girls are doing fine. My youngest, Marjorie’s finding it hard to settle, but in time, I’m sure.”

Nancy was the oldest of four girls. Marjorie was close in age to Gloria and they were good friends.

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