Vampires, Bones and Treacle Scones (A Liss MacCrimmon Mystery) by Dunnett Kaitlyn

Author:Dunnett, Kaitlyn [Dunnett, Kaitlyn]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Kensington
Published: 2013-07-29T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

By the time February turned into March, Liss had begun to think that discovering the secret Samantha had been keeping would be the only “crime” she succeeded in solving. Then, halfway through the month, Gordon Tandy paid an unexpected visit to Moosetookalook Scottish Emporium.

“I have an appointment with your aunt,” he said. “It might be a good idea if you joined us.”

More bad news, Liss thought, and promptly hung out the CLOSED sign.

“How’s she doing?” Gordon asked as they walked together toward the staircase that led up to Margaret’s apartment.

Liss shrugged. “Better some days than others. She can go for a week, full tilt, accomplishing wonders in her job at the hotel. Then it’s like she’s hit a wall. She’ll barely talk to people. Doesn’t want to get out of bed in the morning. Calls in sick—when she remembers to—and then just holes up and sleeps.”

The look of concern on Gordon’s face softened Liss toward him. He really did care about Margaret. It wasn’t his fault that there hadn’t been a break in the case.

“Has she seen a doctor?” he asked.

“She did back in November. He gave her medication for depression, but I don’t think she’s been taking it. And she hasn’t gone back for a follow up.”

If Gordon was thinking as Liss was, that Margaret might require an intervention, he kept his opinion to himself. Both knew the fastest way to restore her to her old self was to solve her son’s murder.

“When are you going to release the contents of Ned’s duffle bag?” Liss asked when they reached the top of the stairwell and paused in front of the apartment door.

“I’m not. It’s evidence. But I have brought Margaret a list of what was in it. And an account number.” He knocked.

“Account number?” Taken aback, Liss frowned. “You mean for a bank account?”

The door opened to reveal Margaret MacCrimmon Boyd, still in her nightgown and bathrobe at one in the afternoon. “Oh, hello,” she said and turned away, leaving the door ajar to allow them to enter.

“Margaret, we need to talk,” Gordon said.

“I suppose.” Listlessly, she waved them into the living room. She made no offer of food or drink, an oversight that alarmed Liss as much as anything she’d seen to date. Margaret was nothing if not hospitable. The state of the apartment and Margaret’s person gave her more cause for concern. Both had begun to smell a little ripe.

Gordon waited until Margaret sat down, then took the chair opposite her. He removed his hat and set it on the arm of the chair, but only unzipped his coat as if he didn’t intend to stay long. Leaning forward, he took her hands in his. “Margaret, look at me.”

Slowly, Margaret’s head lifted. Her eyes met Gordon’s. From her perch on the nearby sofa, Liss saw the moment when her aunt dared allow herself to hope that the news he had for her would bring closure. It faded as soon as he began to speak.

“Ned opened a bank account right after he was released .

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