Murder of a Hermit by Carol Miller

Author:Carol Miller [Miller, Carol]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Severn House
Published: 2024-02-06T00:00:00+00:00

FOURTEEN

‘Crows and witches,’ Morris mused. ‘What an odd subject for a book.’

Dylan concurred with a chortle.

‘And this book came from the brownstone’s library?’ Morris said.

Gram’s response was both quick and quick-witted. ‘Well, dear, the previous owner of the property left behind so many things. Aside from a mountain of books and assorted papers, there was also a good deal of artwork and furniture.’

‘We found the old pine table and matching set of chairs that I currently use in the boutique up in the attic,’ Hope corroborated.

‘That’s quite right.’ Gram gave her a grateful glance before turning back to Morris. ‘It probably would have behooved me to take a complete inventory when we first moved in, but time passed by, and there were always so many other things to think about between keeping the shop afloat and raising the girls that I simply never got around to it. Now that everything has been carried back and forth from one room to another and used in all sorts of different ways over the years – just as Hope said – it’s difficult to remember what came from where originally or from whom.’

Morris nodded. ‘That’s entirely understandable, Olivia. Even though you and the girls have been in the brownstone for so long, I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if you suddenly stumbled over something that you had never seen – or really noticed – before. With three floors and the attic and the cellar, it’s bound to happen. That’s especially true with smaller items, such as the books and papers that you mentioned.’

Gram nodded back at him earnestly.

‘The brownstone has such a large library,’ Megan said, contributing her support to the Bailey explanation for the book in Dylan’s hands. ‘As you know, Morris, I’ve been sleeping in the study because of my leg, and every time that I’m in the room, I marvel at how the bookcases are bursting with so much history and information.’

There was another chortle from Dylan. ‘Yes, you esteem the history and information to such a degree that you hang your underwear from it.’

Megan shot Dylan an irritated – and somewhat chagrined – look, but she couldn’t dispute the actual point, because when they had gone into the study to inspect the cellar the day before, her unmentionables had indeed been strewn about.

Not understanding the reference to undergarments, Morris chose to ignore it. ‘Knowledge can never be too highly valued,’ he told Megan. ‘I’m glad that a young woman such as yourself recognizes that fact.’

Dylan shook his head at him. ‘You aren’t honestly swallowing the story that they’re feeding you?’

Morris was perplexed. ‘What story?’

Although he shook his head again, Dylan didn’t argue with his father. He must have realized the same as Hope that Morris’s credence in the tale was due in large part to his fondness for Gram, and there was no quarreling with that.

Having Morris on their side at least temporarily, Hope figured that now would be the best time to try to regain custody. ‘May

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