The Young Case: A Markham Sisters Cozy Mystery Novella by Xarissa Diana

Author:Xarissa, Diana
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-10-23T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 7

Janet found herself pacing around the sitting room while they waited for Robert. Stuart had gone back outside to stand guard at the carriage house and Joan and Michael were busy in the kitchen, discussing how best to rework their plans for the day. As Janet walked, she thought about ringing Edward. It made more sense to wait until they’d had a chance to find out if anything had been taken, but she knew hearing his voice would reassure her. She was reaching for her mobile when Robert knocked.

“Let’s go straight to the carriage house,” Robert said when she opened the door. “When he rang, Stuart said that he’d found the door ajar.”

Janet nodded. “That’s what he told us as well. We didn’t go out to look because we didn’t want to risk disturbing any evidence. Stuart went back out to guard the building, though.”

As they were speaking, Janet had led him through the house to the kitchen. Joan and Michael followed as they walked out the door at the back of the house. It didn’t take long for the group to reach the carriage house.

“You didn’t touch anything?” Robert asked Stuart.

“No, sir. I was coming to get some of my tools. I need to get some of the beds weeded today. When I got close to the carriage house, though, I could see that the door was ajar, the same as it is now.”

Robert nodded and took a step closer to the door. It was open just slightly, and Janet wondered if she would have noticed if she’d simply walked past. After putting on gloves, Robert opened the door. The light inside the carriage house was on.

“That’s odd,” Janet said. “The ghost usually turns the light off.”

Robert looked at her for a moment and she flushed.

“What Janet means is that there is some sort of problem with the wiring in the carriage house,” Joan said. “The light seems to go on and off every time we’re in there. We had it rewired, but the problem has persisted. We always bring torches when we’re going to be going into the carriage house.”

“I believe in ghosts,” Stuart said brightly. “I’m with Janet on this one. There’s a ghost that lives, or rather stays, in the carriage house and he or she enjoys turning the lights off on people inside. He or she usually locks the door, as well.”

“It’s an old lock and it sometimes sticks,” Joan countered.

Robert shrugged. “Who was the last to open the door?” he asked.

“Probably me,” Stuart said. “I was in there the day before yesterday to get my tools and then to put them back.”

“What time did you put them away?” was Robert’s next question.

“Six, maybe?” Stuart made the reply a question. “I wasn’t paying that much attention to the time, really.”

“No one was out here yesterday?” Robert wondered.

“I wasn’t,” Stuart said, flushing. “After my upsetting news, I had an early night.”

Robert looked at Janet and Joan. They both shook their heads.

“I haven’t even been out in the gardens lately, although I keep meaning to get out and take a walk,” Janet said.

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