The Pryce of Pride: An Historical Ghost Cozy Mystery (The Pryce of Murder Book 5) by Kari Bovee

Author:Kari Bovee [Bovee, Kari]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Vinci Books
Published: 2025-03-18T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Seven

“What do you have to tell us?” I asked the young woman.

Maybelle glanced at Kitty, a look of uncertainty in her eyes.

“It’s a little sensitive in nature,” Kitty said.

“I see. Shall we go somewhere more private?” I asked, looking longingly at the tea and bread that had just been put on the table. “We can go to my office.”

“I’ll bring your refreshments along,” Kitty offered. She signaled to the blonde girl to return with the tray. Once everything was carefully arranged on it again, Kitty handed it to Maybelle and we all made our way to the annex.

Once we were in my office, Maybelle set the tray on the table between the two armchairs. Bijou trotted over to her small bed beneath the desk and curled up for a quick nap while I poured myself a cup of fragrant Earl Grey. The tea’s aroma filled the room, drawing my attention to the girl, whose hardened demeanor had softened now that we were away from the saloon. I wondered if the tough exterior was merely a protective façade. After all, some of Kitty’s girls had come from difficult circumstances.

“It’s somethin’ I heard the night that art dealer died,” Maybelle said. “At Kitty’s place.”

“Go on,” I encouraged her.

Cordelia took a seat, poured her own tea, and began nibbling on a small piece of bread.

“We was all in the parlor, entertainin’. Well, not all of us—some of the girls was upstairs with customers. Anyway, the art dealer was there with Mr. Archer and Mr. Chase.”

This confirmed what Bernice had said about the three men meeting to discuss business. The sheriff had mentioned it as well. I didn’t know Mr. Chase, or his proclivities, nor could I claim to know Mr. Archer well enough to be privy to his habits, but I’d never known him to frequent the brothel. It wasn’t really my affair, but learning that Mr. Baxter—a married man—had been there left me uneasy for Bernice’s sake. A quick glance at Cordelia showed she felt the same; her flushed cheeks weren’t from the tea.

“Anyway, the talk got a bit heated.” Maybelle continued.

“How so?” I asked. “What did you overhear?”

She looked over at Kitty, who gave her a permissive nod.

“Well, at first, they was all carryin’ on, havin’ a grand ol’ time. Laughin’, drinkin’, and flirtin’ with the girls. Mr. Archer wanted me to sit on his lap—so I did.” Her expression hardened. “Funny how they think we’re just things, like dolls, ain’t got ears to hear or eyes to see.”

I reached out and took her hand in sympathy.

“Anyway, they started goin’ on about Miss Reynolds and Michael Two Trees, and how they were interferin’ in their business.”

“How?” I asked.

She shrugged. “Mr. Archer wanted me to get him another drink, so I left before hearin’ more ‘bout that. But when I came back, the talk had gotten a lot less friendly. The art dealer, Mr. Baxter, said somethin’ ‘bout Mr. Archer and Mr. Chase havin’ secrets—he told Mr. Archer somethin’ ‘bout his mines and the inspectors, and to Mr.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.