Christmas Caper by Jennifer Oberth

Author:Jennifer Oberth
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: mystery, holiday, party, humor, christmas, woman sleuth, fun, lighthearted, cozy, 1800s
Publisher: Jennifer Oberth

Seth cradled a drink in one hand and two plates of food in the other. Three men were talking to him; they were laughing, but Seth was not. I walked into the little circle they formed and asked if I could speak with Mr. Cryer. He was more than happy to accommodate me.

“Fools,” he muttered after they wandered away.

“Who were those men?” I asked. I’d only recognized Edgar Grayson, a respected merchant. He sold textiles, I think. He was new to the area, and I’d only met him once. Charming, well-dressed, and quiet; I couldn’t imagine how he could be a part of angering Seth Cryer, or anyone else for that matter.

“Ronald Peterson, James Waters, and Edgar Grayson. They’re in business together, or trying to go into business together. Peterson and Waters are falling over themselves trying to get Mr. Grayson to supply them with guns. Instead of paying him outright, they’ve offered him a stake in the business. He’s been considering it for over a week now.”

“That seems sound. Why did they rile you?” As Seth straightened up and stared at me, I thought it might have been too direct a question. “I can ask Jasper to remove them if they’re acting inappropriately.”

“Oh, my goodness, Mrs. Westin, no.” Seth had the good grace to laugh. “I’m upset because I don’t like Ronald Peterson—and Oscar and Waters know that, but they still won’t leave me alone.”

I wasn’t following, but instead of asking another direct question, I looked as confused as possible.

“Mrs. Westin, are you feeling all right?”

So much for my acting ability. “Quite all right. I was trying to remember who Mr. Waters is.”

“Oscar’s partner, of course. A fool if I’ve ever met one, and I’ve met plenty. He drags Oscar into one failed endeavor after another. That was one of the things we were going to speak about on the way over here.”

“One of the things? What was that? If you don’t mind my asking. I’m curious. You’re such an amiable man, you must think I do nothing but go around prying into other people’s lives. It’s simply that you’re so easy to listen to.”

Furrowing his brow, he lowered his voice. “I know all you do is go around prying into other people’s lives, Mrs. Westin. It’s your job.”

Now he was being direct, and I liked him for it. “But it’s a holiday.”

“That it is.” Seth downed the rest of his drink in one healthy gulp. “Waters wants my brother to join Peterson in this new business venture. Selling guns. When Oscar first consulted me for my opinion, I told him I didn’t think it was a good idea, if only because his financial situation couldn’t stand a huge loss should it not pan out. Peterson wants a lot of money to start this up. Oscar’s reaching, or he would be if he agreed.”

“Guns are a good business,” I pointed out.

“But Oscar knows nothing about them, and he can’t pay the price to learn on the job. Not this time.

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