Ring of Lies by Lynne Rachel

Author:Lynne, Rachel
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2021-08-14T00:00:00+00:00

Ivy

“Come on, Sergeant!” I gritted my teeth and gave a gentle tug on the cat’s leash. The bratty cat ignored me and continued to hiss at the man jogging in place on the street corner.

I sighed and walked back down the brick steps to scoop him up. I tightened my grip on the wriggling mass of fur and trotted back up to the historical society’s door. Fervently hoping they wouldn’t mind the cat, I stepped inside.

A rush of warm air carried the scent of dust and old leather to my nose. I tucked the cat into his basket before peeking around a stained-glass pocket door. I looked around, noting the dark woodwork and period furniture.

The place was decked out like a late Victorian parlor, filled with horsehair sofas, rows of glass-fronted bookcases, and tables filled with old picture frames and object d’art. The only thing conspicuously missing were warm bodies.

I adjusted the basket in my arms then turned back toward the foyer, only to jump as I came face to face with a wizened old man. I gasped and Sergeant stuck his head out of his basket and growled.

“Oh! Goodness, you startled me.”

“I’m sorry, dear. It’s so quiet in here I suppose I try to match it.” The old man smiled and offered his hand. “I’m Ambrose Williams, head archivist. Have you come to do research?”

I accepted his hand. “I’m Ivy Michaels, and yes, I was hoping to find information on some things I found while settling my aunt’s affairs. I’m not sure why she kept them.”

His old brown eyes lit up. “How nice, I’ll help if you like. I love a mystery!”

I smiled. “I’ll take all the help I can get but I’m not sure how much of a mystery you’ll experience. They’re just some old newspaper clippings.”

He chuckled and directed me to follow him down the wide hallway. “Ah, a jumping-off point then. Sometimes the most innocuous things can lead to fascinating discoveries.”

He stepped into a small room just off the stairwell. “Please, have a seat and make yourself comfortable. Can I get you something? Tea? Or perhaps a saucer of cream for the kitty?”

I bit my lip. I’d thought he hadn’t noticed the cat. “Um … I meant to ask if it was all right to bring Sergeant in. I tried to leave him at home, but he was persuasive. I’ve been working a lot and he’s lonely. When he feels ignored, he can get … destructive.”

Mr. Williams waved a hand. “Don’t trouble yourself. I’ve two Himalayan Persians at home. Beautiful creatures but the devil of a temper!”

He tottered toward an alcove and disappeared behind a thick red curtain, appearing moments later with a wooden tea tray. “There we are. A bit early for tea but it isn’t often I get to take it with a pretty young woman, so we’ll make an exception, hmm?”

I smiled and accepted the delicate white China cup and saucer. A meow of protest sounded from the floor. I nudged the basket with my foot and whispered, “Hush, Sergeant.

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