Mysteries, Mirrors, and Murder: Seabrook Haven Book Club Cozy Mystery (Watson the Wonder Dog Cozy Mystery 3) by Rosie Sams

Author:Rosie Sams [Sams, Rosie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sweet Book Hub
Published: 2024-11-11T00:00:00+00:00

HIDDEN TRUTHS AND SECRET SPACES

Izzy and Watson raced back to find Maggie still resting on the bench. “You’ll never guess what we just saw.” Izzy asked.

“Did you find the killer?”

“Well, maybe, but Adam just activated a secret passageway and disappeared.”

“Really!” Maggie’s eyes were bright and eager. “How exciting.”

“If you want to rest, we can check it out.”

“Not a chance.” Maggie was already standing. She pulled a short stick from her purse and shook it. It opened into a slim walking stick. “I came prepared.”

They snuck back into the auction room and crossed to the wall as quietly as they could. Izzy pulled on the lamp, took a picture, and sent a text to Arthur Pendleton from their book club.

If I don’t text you in an hour,

tell the police to come here and

pull this lamp and find us.

We followed Adam Hawthorne, the auctioneer.

Izzy, Maggie & Watson

Creeping along, they descended into the underbelly of the estate. The air grew cooler, and the scent of damp stone and old wood filled their nostrils. Flickering torches mounted on the walls cast eerie shadows as they navigated the narrow corridor, which finally opened into a secret room.

The room was a treasure trove of items—paintings, sculptures, jewelry, vases, jewelry, and more. What was it doing here? As they rounded the corner, Adam appeared to be searching for a specific piece.

He jerked as he saw them but covered it quickly, and a slimy smile came over his face. “I see our curious friends have found my little sanctuary,” the words were said with a flourish. He had regained control and seemed not a bit worried or surprised by their appearance. His charm was palpable, even here among the musty relics of dubious legality.

“What are you doing with all of these?” Izzy asked, feeling suddenly vulnerable and silly for following him.

He waved a hand dismissively and chuckled. “This is my storage area. These items are here for evaluation.” The explanation was smooth, his hands gesturing to the array of goods. “I can see how this must look. If you were watching me, it might even have appeared as if I was hiding this place… which I am, of course. However, there’s nothing sinister or underhanded here. You can check with Eleanor. This is simply a part of the auction house’s due diligence. We store items before they are ready for sale. There is considerable value and it’s safer to have them hidden from view of those who would visit the house.”

“He squiggles about something,” Watson said. “Not want you to find out.”

Izzy’s eyes narrowed. She was not quite buying the explanation, and Watson's insight didn’t help. What was he hiding? “And the mirror?” she inquired, her voice steady.

“Ah, the mirror,” Adam sighed, shaking his head. “A beautiful piece, but not here, I’m afraid. And not that valuable.”

Throughout the conversation, Watson had been sniffing around the room, his interest piqued by the various scents. “He tells the truth!” he muttered before suddenly darting after a shadow in the corner.

A small mouse, disturbed by their intrusion, scurried across the floor.

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