Murder on Target: A 1920s Historical Cozy Mystery by Sonia Parin

Author:Sonia Parin [Parin, Sonia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2025-02-27T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 8

Cloak and dagger meeting

The village

“We’re drawing attention, Countess.”

They’d driven along the main street and had encountered three people. True, they had glanced their way, but Tom’s remark had suggested a crowd of people had stopped to gawk at them.

He pointed to the street corner ahead. “Pub.”

The establishment was in a single story building with two windows facing the side street. When they reached it, Tom slowed down to read the sign. “The Red Lion. That’s surprising.”

“Why is that?”

“I was expecting a homage to the local potato. The Roasted Spud or The Roast and Mash.”

Tom drove to the end of the street and then turned back, saying, “Now we know what’s where.” Slowing down, he stopped in front of a building with no signage. “Did Henry say where we’re meeting?”

“Heavens. No, Lotte didn’t mention it, and I didn’t think to ask.” She looked up and down the street. “I don’t see a motor car. Certainly not the type he would be driving.”

They climbed out and wandered over to the nearest store, which happened to be a general store selling everything from hosiery to sweets, books and tools.

A man in his fifties with a few strands of hair plastered across his head stood behind the counter, his plump cheeks pink from exertion as he bent down and brought up a box. Setting it on the counter, he bent down and brought up another box. Rounding the counter, he dragged the box across and set it down on the floor.

The box contained potatoes. Placing a small barrel on top of a larger one, he emptied out the potatoes into the tub. Straightening, he turned to them and offered his assistance.

Evie approached the counter and asked if he had any chocolate.

“We’ve just received some fancy chocolate from Belgium.”

“That sounds lovely. I’ll take some, please.” Eyeing some peppermint candy, she asked for a small bag.

“Just in case?” Tom asked.

“Yes, an energy booster for emergencies.” She turned to the man and asked in a conversational tone, “Have you lived in the area long?”

“All my life.” He studied Evie and then asked, “Are you staying up at Rosendale Hall?”

“We are, yes. What made you ask?”

“Just curious. I saw you drive by before and remembered a similar motor driving by yesterday. I’ve seen a few people headed that way this week. A couple of them stopped to ask for directions.”

“I hope they were polite.”

He nodded.

“Who owns the neighboring property?”

“That’ll be Arthur Holmesglen.”

“Has the family been there long?”

“Several generations. They like to expand and were lucky to grab some more land from their other neighbors who didn’t have anyone to leave the property to. They lost their son a couple of years ago.”

Evie noticed he made no direct reference to the Great War. Had it all began to fade or were people trying to soften what had been the greatest blow in their lives?

“I hear they want to buy Rosendale.”

The man shrugged. “Maybe they should have another think. The place hasn’t brought much luck to the owners. The previous one died in a motor car accident and the new ones also died not long ago.

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