The Elizabeth Tudor Conspiracy by Alexandra Walsh

Author:Alexandra Walsh [Walsh, Alexandra]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781913028480
Publisher: Sapere Books
Published: 2019-06-02T04:00:00+00:00

“What is it?” asked Kit later, as they stared at the tiny metallic device.

“A listening bug,” replied Callum, “but it’s been disabled now.”

“And it was in Piper’s phone?” checked Perdita.

“Yes. It was inexpertly fitted, as though it had been done in a hurry, which is rather a relief for us because it means it has never transmitted properly,” said Alistair.

Piper stared at the grey metal square with fury on her face. “Isn’t it bad enough that she trashed my marriage without spying on us, too?”

All eyes turned to her and Perdita moved to her sister’s side but she could tell from the set line of Piper’s mouth that she was in no mood to be comforted.

“I’m sorry, Alistair,” said Piper. “It appears I allowed Randolph Connors into the heart of Jerusalem.”

“Piper, this isn’t your fault,” said Susan, stepping forward. “You are not to blame in any way. Thankfully, the bug caused your phone to malfunction so the transmission was probably unclear for most of the time.”

“But they will have heard how much we’ve discovered with the letters and the ring,” Piper said.

“As to that, there’s nothing we can do about it,” said Alistair, his tone calm. “The leak has been plugged and until we can safely reactivate your phone number, I have this pay-as-you-go handset for you to use.”

He slid an expensive looking Smartphone towards her but Piper did not pick it up. Instead she walked to the windows and stared out at the cold, clear evening. They were in the cosy sitting room, off the Grande Hall, but the tense atmosphere was at odds with the roaring fire and the twinkling lights on the large Christmas trees.

Perdita watched her sister for a few moments, then turned back to Alistair.

“Is Connors interested in uncovering the historical mystery?” she asked. “You’ve told us the reasons why he wants access to the house and our titles but is he actively searching, as we are?”

Alistair considered her, then choosing his words with great care, said, “Connors would like the mystery to be solved for him so he can use it as a tool to blackmail as many governments as he feels is viable. It would put him in a position of even greater power than he presently commands.”

“And he was hoping that by bugging Piper’s phone he would have been able to eavesdrop on our discoveries and use the information?” clarified Perdita.

“I don’t know, but that would be my assumption.”

To break the tension, Kit and Callum busied themselves pouring drinks for everyone. Before the discovery of the bug, the plan had been to meet for a glass of wine in the sitting room, then head down to the local bar, The Terrace, for the evening, but none of them were in the mood any longer. Perdita took the glass of Prosecco he offered her and sipped the cold bubbles.

“Alistair, what happened to Randolph’s mother?” she asked.

He turned to her in surprise. “You mean, Cecily, Mary’s younger sister?”

“Yes, our great-aunt.”

“Why do you ask?”

“I’m curious, but I also want to try and understand why someone who has so much can’t be satisfied.

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