The Inexorable Tide of Mystery: A Severine DuNoir Historical Cozy Adventure (The Mysteries of Severine DuNoir Book 7) by Beth Byers

Author:Beth Byers [Byers, Beth]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2021-04-30T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

Osiris opened the door a moment later and stepped into the hallway. His face was white. His hands were shaking. His eyes were stricken.

“Oh no,” Severine whispered.

“Call the doctor,” Osiris said hoarsely. “And the police.”

Mr. Dayton Oliver shoved past his son, followed by Fitz, Mr. Finney, and Smith. The butler took in the scene and then hurried down the hall.

“Is he hurt?”

“He’s been stabbed,” Osiris said in the same hoarse, broken voice. “He’s warm. He probably bled out while we tried to get him to open the door. We were too late.”

Charles shook his head. “No. The dogs would have been alerted by the attack, Osiris. There was never anything we could do.”

Severine started to speak and then shook her head. “I can’t…I—”

“Let’s make coffee after all,” Lisette suggested softly. “We can help that way.”

Sev nodded, almost frantically. She had once found her parents dead, and she was almost certain that the smell of the blood, the sight of another murder victim would force her to relive memories she’d just as soon avoid.

Severine was able to bring Anubis as soon as they had the door open. She calmed him, and he came with her. She, Lisette, and the dogs found the way to the kitchens, and Severine paused. It was a huge space. A large table for the servants to eat at, ovens that reminded her of the nunnery, cupboards and a pantry that were carefully arranged. Whoever was in charge here would not be happy about their space being breached.

She did not, however, care. She found the coffee canister and started the water for the percolator. They worked quietly and were halfway through making the coffee when a maid appeared in the doorway.

“Ah…”

Lisette smiled. “We were just making coffee.”

The maid paused. “Is it true that Mr. Oliver is dead, miss?”

Lisette nodded silently and the maid gasped.

“Was it his heart?”

Lisette shook her head and then cleared her throat. “It seems to have been murder. The police officers are on their way.”

“Murder!” The woman, girl really, staggered to the table and sat down.

Severine lifted a brow at Lisette and jerked her head towards the pantry. Their passing interest in the brandy they’d seen as they searched the cupboards was justified by the struggling maid.

Lisette poured a small glass for all of them and Severine threw hers back as though it were water on a hot day. She gasped as the burn hit her throat and then another servant appeared in the doorway. “Is it true, Betsy? Is the master dead?”

The first maid nodded and then added, “These ladies say so, Sadie.” Her voice cracked, and her eyes teared up. “Murdered.”

Severine was doubtful of the actual affection for Bertram Oliver, but she had little doubt that the shock of an unexpected death, let alone a murder, was enough to bring any sensitive person to tears.

Sev’s own eyes were burning with tears as she asked Betsy for a tray. Severine poured them coffee, but Betsy absently helped her fill the tray with a small pitcher for cream and a container for sugar.

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