An Aunt Bessie Collection - MNO: The thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth books in the Isle of Man Cozy Mystery Series by Xarissa Diana

Author:Xarissa, Diana [Xarissa, Diana]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 3531793195
Published: 2017-10-17T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

“Let’s find Grace first,” Bessie suggested. “We promised Hugh we’d keep an eye on her.”

“I’m pretty sure she’s safe with her father,” Doona replied. “But as you wanted to talk to him as well, that’s probably a good idea.”

Grace was standing with her parents in a small group of people. Bessie recognised a few of the women who’d spoken at the service within the group. There was no sign of Stephanie Harris.

“Ah, Bessie, how nice to see you again,” Grace’s father said, giving Bessie a hug. “I haven’t seen you since the wedding.”

“That was a much happier occasion,” Bessie said.

“It was indeed,” the man agreed. “This is terrible. Julie was a nice woman. I still can’t quite get my head around the idea that she was murdered.”

“Everything I’ve heard about her suggests the same,” Bessie agreed. “Her husband’s words were very touching.”

“They were. I’ve only met the man a few times when the bank has had social occasions, but I’ve always thought he seemed perfect for Julie. He was a rock for her when she was undergoing her treatments.”

Bessie couldn’t bring herself to question the man. Not only was he Grace’s father, but he was clearly upset about the loss of his colleague. Instead she engaged him and his wife in some small talk for a short while. After a few minutes, Grace touched her arm.

“Did you want me to introduce you to Sidney Harris?” she asked quietly.

Bessie nodded. “Where is he?”

“He’s just walked in. He’s standing by the door,” Grace said.

Bessie turned her head and tried to find the man in question. “I thought you said he was overweight,” she said to Grace after a minute. “If that’s him, he’s not at all what I was expecting from your description.”

“I almost didn’t recognise him,” Grace admitted. “I haven’t seen him in a year or more. He’s lost a lot of weight and I’m pretty sure he’s colouring his hair now, as well.”

Bessie thought about that as she followed Grace across the room. Grace made a point of meandering around, saying quick hellos to various people, as they made their way towards Sidney Harris.

“Mr. Harris, my goodness, I almost didn’t recognise you,” Grace said, looking convincingly surprised when they reached his side. “This is my dear friend, Elizabeth Cubbon. Bessie, this is Sidney Harris. He works in the corporate offices with my father and he and his wife, Stephanie, were very dear friends with Humphrey and Julie.”

“It was your wife who spoke at the service,” Bessie said as she shook the man’s hand. “I do hope she’s okay.”

“She’s incredibly sad and, well, shaken up by the whole thing,” the man said. “Murders happen on television dramas, not on the Isle of Man.”

Bessie bit her tongue. In the past year and a half she’d seen more than her fair share of murders, but she didn’t want to discuss that with a stranger.

“Where is Stephanie?” Grace asked. “I was looking forward to seeing her. It’s been years.”

“Unfortunately, she went home,” Sidney replied.

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