The Case at Barton Manor: A 1920s Murder Mystery (Mrs. Lillywhite Investigates) by Emily Queen

Author:Emily Queen [Queen, Emily]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-04-08T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

“WELL, HE’S QUITE a tall drink of water now, isn’t he?” Vera said as Max passed the gate at the end of the drive.

Perhaps Rosemary had been right and the two fancied one another. She was not entirely sure how she felt about that. She had not expected Vera to be the type of woman who attracted Max’s interest, though she meant no disrespect toward her friend in thinking so. Any man would be lucky to make a catch such as Vera; it was merely that Rosemary had expected Max to pursue a woman who wanted to settle into a life of family and children.

She could not have known that, deep down, a family was exactly what Vera wanted. Someday, once she had thoroughly enjoyed herself.

“I suppose he is,” Rosemary agreed.

“This day is too beautiful to waste on all this drudgery,” Vera said, raising her face to the warmth of the sun. “I’d far rather be at home in London, with no thoughts of murder on my mind.”

“As would I,” Rosemary agreed. “But, alas, here we are. And now, I can’t go home until I’ve cleared up this mess. You, however, are under no such obligation.”

Vera snorted, “Rosie, don’t be daft. I’ve no intention of returning to London without you. We’re a team; you know that.”

“Vera, do you—” Rosemary didn’t have time to finish her thought before Vera stood and peered across the lawn.

“Oh, look. It seems we have just found your poor hungover brother,” she said, motioning toward the end of the driveway.

Frederick raised his hand in a wave, and Rosemary crossed her arms in front of herself as she watched him approach, his hair a rat’s nest and his suit the same one he had been wearing the evening before.

“Where on earth have you been?” Rosemary demanded. “We thought you’d stumbled in before us at some point last night. Do you even know what’s happened?” She bombarded him with questions, mimicking their mother for a moment because she knew it would irritate him.

“Lower your voice. If ever you loved me, I am begging you to have a care.” Frederick pressed his thumb and forefinger against the bridge of his nose. He appeared as though he might be sick, and his sister thought it was no less than exactly what he deserved.

When silence restored him enough to ask, he said, “Has something happened?”

Rosemary let the words fall out of her mouth as though she were talking about something as inane as the weather. “I discovered a dead body in the second level study of Barton Manor.”

One of Frederick’s bleary eyes peered at his sister while the other dropped closed. When she repeated herself, he gave his head a shake, then winced from the pounding pain. Alternating the squint from one eye to the other, he tested Vera’s face for veracity.

“And we are all suspects,” Vera deadpanned. It was less than funny, but the way she delivered the line made Rosemary’s lip quiver slightly.

“The inspector in charge is not the only one interested to know where you passed the nighttime hours.

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