Puzzles Can Be Deadly by David S. Pederson

Author:David S. Pederson [Pederson, David S.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
Published: 2024-05-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Later Saturday afternoon, October 7, 1950

The Rutherford house

Henry and Skip put their hats on the hooks in the entryway and entered the main hall.

“I wonder where everyone is,” Skip said. “The house is utterly silent. I can’t hear a sound but the ticking of the grandfather clock.”

“Maybe they’re all taking afternoon naps.”

“Hmm, that could be helpful.”

“Helpful?”

“Oh, well, sure, restful, I meant.”

“Do you want to nap?” Henry said.

“I’m not tired, but you go ahead if you like.”

“Nah, I’m okay. So, what do you want to do?”

“Put these things away at the moment.”

“All right, then we can figure something out, or maybe you could work on that lock on our connecting door some more.”

Skip smiled. “Maybe.”

They went quietly upstairs to their respective rooms and Henry handed off the packages of Skip’s that he’d been carrying.

“Meet me downstairs in a few minutes, okay?” Skip said.

“Downstairs?” Henry said. “You don’t want to fiddle with the lock?”

“I promise I’ll do that later. Put your bobbers away and meet me in a few minutes. Let me know if you see anyone, okay?”

“Hmm, okay. But why do I have the feeling you’re up to something again?”

“Aren’t I always?” Skip said, disappearing into his room. He stripped down and put on his new flannel shirt, dungarees, and work shoes, leaving the new underwear for later. Satisfied, he went quietly down the stairs to the hall, where he noticed Henry staring at the portrait of the woman above the settee.

“She’s a beautiful young woman, and those dark curls about her soft, smiling face make her more so,” Henry said as Skip approached.

“Yes. An old Rutherford relation, perhaps,” Skip said, looking up at her. “Thanks for waiting for me. I had to try on my new things.”

“Looks like they fit pretty well.”

“Yes, not bad. Have you seen anyone about?”

“Just you and this mysterious lady,” Henry said.

“Glad she kept you company.”

“She doesn’t talk much, but she sees all. How are the new shoes?”

Skip looked down at them. “A bit stiff, but they’ll loosen up. Decent arch support for my flat feet, at least.”

“Good. So why the new attire? As I said before, it’s not what you typically wear.”

“They fit with what I want to do.”

Henry frowned. “I don’t think I like the sound of that. What do you plan on doing?”

“A walk about the yard. It’s a lovely afternoon.”

Henry raised his eyebrows. “What for? We’ve just had a long stroll around the block, and all the way to the drugstore and back.”

“I know, but I want to have a closer look at the old carriage house and the area behind it.”

Henry put his hands on his hips. “Skip, no. Enough already. I thought we’d discussed this. You’re going to get us into trouble.”

“You keep saying that. I’m just going to have a look. I won’t do any digging out back until after dark. Stay here if you want.”

“I intend to.”

“Fine. I’ll be back in a bit. Go see if you can find your uncle and give him his Lucky Strikes. Don’t forget he owes you for them.

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