The Pryce of Ambition: An Historical Ghost Cozy Mystery by Kari Bovée

Author:Kari Bovée [Bovée, Kari]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bosque Publishing
Published: 2024-08-02T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 19

Ishowed the last of the group out of the parlor, their footsteps muffled by the thick, ornate rug that adorned the floor. The door clicked shut, leaving behind a silence that seemed to swell, filling the room. I turned to face Clayton and Cordelia, who’d remained behind.

“Did Deputy Fleming arrest Celine?” I asked.

He shook his head. “No.”

“Where did he find her?” Cordelia asked.

“Down by the river, as Langston said.”

“Well then, why did the deputy take her to the jail?”

He released a deep breath. “She said she didn’t want to be with the troupe at the moment. She said she needed some space.”

“Did she know anything about Miss Standish?” I asked him.

“Dirk told her about it and said we had some questions for her. She agreed to go to the jail so I could speak with her.”

“I understand,” I said, my mind suddenly snapping to another matter. “There’s something I need to show you.” I walked over to the desk and retrieved the white leather-bound book.

“I’ve seen Celine with this. It’s a diary with entries that date back to 1850. I can’t say to whom it originally belonged, but I found something intriguing inside.” I flipped through the yellowed pages until I reached the one with the illustration. The drawing of what I assumed was my mother, her name penned neatly beneath it. I held it out for him to see. Cordelia, standing next to him, craned her neck eagerly to catch a glimpse.

“Does this person look familiar?” I asked.

“Oh, my!” Cordelia gasped.

Clayton squinted his eyes to get a better look. “Your mother?”

“It appears so. Unless it’s another Millicent, but the resemblance is remarkable.”

“It is,” he agreed with a nod of his head. “And there is no indication of to whom the diary belonged prior to Miss Dubois?”

“Not that I can tell, so far. But—and I’m not sure it has any bearing on the case—both the script and the diary have some parallels to what’s been happening within the troupe—the murder of an actor, the threat of a strong and overbearing woman⁠—”

“The woman being?” he asked.

I shrugged. “My mother? And, the rivalries among the players are similar as well. I’d like to read this diary cover to cover, and further peruse the script.”

“Well, it seems like a long shot, but it’s not a bad idea. I’ll speak with Miss Dubois about the diary. I’ll get it back to you.”

“All right. I’ll go to the caravans to retrieve the script,” I offered and turned to get my coat and hat. Clayton reached out and took hold of my elbow.

“I’d rather you not go alone. The threats to your mother were also indirect threats to you, remember?”

“I’ll go with her,” Cordelia offered.

“No offense, Miss Danson, but⁠—”

“We’ll bring Deputy Fleming,” I said. “He won’t mind.”

Clayton let go a breath. “No, he wouldn’t,” he said with an undertone of annoyance. “But I think it would be better if Miss Danson and the deputy went out to the caravans. Besides, I’d like you to accompany me to speak with Miss Dubois.

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