Case of the Missing Marine by Jeffrey Poole

Author:Jeffrey Poole [Poole, Jeffrey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: cozy mystery, espionage novel, mysteries with humor, mysteries with dogs, animal sleuths, cozy murder mystery series, mysteries set in england
Publisher: Columbine Publishing Group, LLC
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

SEVEN

“You do realize that we have a problem? Or, more specifically, that I have a problem? I can’t meet with the Queen tomorrow!”

Alarmed, Jillian looked over at me. “What’s the matter? We knew we would be meeting the Queen, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that … oh. Oh!”

“What’s going on?” Lestrade wanted to know. “What did I miss?”

Opening the door to our room, and holding it open so that both Jillian and Lestrade could enter, I pointed at our suitcases, currently sitting in the closet as I passed them by.

“Right there. There’s the problem. Do you see a garment bag in there?”

“Er, no. I do see several pieces of luggage.”

“This is the Queen of England,” I reminded my British friend. “I can’t walk into Buckingham Palace wearing what I’m wearing now. Come on, would that be appropriate?”

Lestrade sighed. “I’ve seen it before, I’m sorry to say. Kudos to you, my American friend, for recognizing the importance of the occasion.”

“Made you cringe, didn’t it?” I challenged.

“It did, yes. Very well. You appear to have a problem.”

“Thanks, Captain Obvious.”

“You know what this means, don’t you?” Jillian asked.

I groaned aloud. “We have to go shopping.”

“We get to go shopping,” Jillian said, at the same time.

“You say it as though shopping is a bad thing,” Lestrade laughed. Seeing my expression, he sobered. “Is it? Oh, I get it. You don’t care for shopping, is that it?”

“He shops like he’s on a scavenger hunt,” Jillian laughed. “Men just don’t appreciate the fine art of shopping.”

“Now, I wouldn’t go that far,” Lestrade chuckled. “I don’t mind an occasional outing, but I’m not one to waste time browsing for something I don’t need.”

I grinned at the detective. “Well said, amigo.”

Jillian swatted my arm. “Oh, Zachary, please. You make it sound like shopping is akin to getting your teeth pulled.”

Lestrade grinned. “My wife likes to shop, but I don’t believe she’s that passionate about it.

I hooked a thumb at Jillian. “She coined the phrase shop ‘til you drop. I’d rather get in, get what you need, and get out.”

“We need a store specializing in slightly oversized shirts,” Jillian said, turning to Lestrade. “Zachary has a long torso, and broad shoulders, which means he wears either a 2XLT or a 3XL. Preferably, he looks better in the 2XLT, because the 3XLs tend to flare open around the waist.”

“There’s a John Banks not too far from here, I believe,” Lestrade said. “Brooklyn is a little farther away, but they also have a nice selection of large clothing.”

“Starting to feel like a whale here,” I grumped. “Just one of the many reasons why I don’t care for clothes shopping.”

“John Banks?” Jillian repeated, as she gathered up her purse. “Thank you very much. We’ll try there first.”

“Now, wait a moment,” I protested. “What about the dogs? I’m pretty sure we’re not going to be allowed to take them into the stores around here, and let’s face it, no one is going to believe they’re service dogs.”

Lestrade raised a hand. “I’d be more than happy to watch your canine companions for you while you … shop.

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