Alive by Marcia Maidana

Author:Marcia Maidana
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Melange Books, LLC

11

~ Unforeseen ~

The endless coming and going of the local police and Scotland Yard personnel foiled my plans to visit the cemetery. The last person to leave Forte Radici was Chief Inspector Overton. At last, I had the opportunity of meeting him. Until now he had been only a name. He was a tall, thin man with an aquiline nose and curly brown hair who wore a gray trench coat despite the warm weather.

“You must heed my words and lie low until we find the suspect,” Inspector Overton stated, and then, just in case I didn’t understand the first time, he repeated himself a little differently. “Mrs. Sterling, until Mrs. Deborah White is found, I want you out of public sight. Is that clear?”

How could it not be? “Crystal clear, Inspector.”

“Very well, then. I’ll take my leave. We’ll ring you when we have more information.” Before stepping into his car, he assured me all would be well if I followed his instructions. I wished he hadn’t—his constant reaffirmations betrayed the very confidence he strived to portray. Was there something he wasn’t telling me?

Regardless of the detective’s advice and the threat Mrs. White posed, especially after the intriguing words she’d spoken during the attack, I refused to be a prisoner in my own house.

Not ten minutes after the detective’s departure, I asked Mr. Brown to bring the Lagonda to the front drive. Now more than ever, it was imperative I proceed with my plan.

With Zaira at my side, I met Mr. Brown as he pulled up to the front of the manor.

“Where would you like to go, Mrs. Sterling?” he asked politely.

“Mr. Brown, I hope not to disappoint you, but I’ll be driving today. Zaira will accompany me.” I smiled. The Lagonda was a two-passenger car.

His disappointment was evident, but he said, “As you wish, Mrs. Sterling,” and then glanced at the car with pity for its impending change of driver. “Drive slow. It can gain speed in a hurry.”

“I shall.”

“Have a pleasant ride,” Mr. Brown wished, and I wondered if he spoke to me or the car.

By the look on Zaira’s face, I could tell the ride would be anything but pleasant. She was going to make sure I thoroughly understood the seriousness of my endeavor. I sighed in resignation. “Thank you, Mr. Brown.”

Teasing the chauffeur, Zaira said, “Don’t be mournful, Mr. Brown. We’ll bring the car back in a jiffy.”

Producing a distorted smile, he walked away quietly.

Once Zaira and I had situated ourselves in the Lagonda, I turned the key in the ignition, and the engine roared to life. In case Mr. Brown was watching and to spare him unnecessary suffering over the Lagonda, I drove slowly away from the manor. As we neared the edge of the grounds, a sense of déjà vu washed over me, as if I had lived this moment before, as if I had known all along that this would take place.

“Florence, how are you feeling?”

“Physically, a bit sore. Otherwise, never better,” I lied. Now that I had a moment to contemplate my situation, I realized I was on pins and needles.

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