Death Can Be Habit-Forming by Sheri Cobb South

Author:Sheri Cobb South
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sonatina Press

16

In Which John Pickett Hears Startling News

Since Pickett had slept late, thanks to the machinations of Mr. Danvers, he arrived at the breakfast table to discover that the other residents had already eaten and gone. This was good news insofar as he was spared the curious looks which his state of undress must have provoked, but it also meant that the flames heating the chafing dishes had been allowed to die out. As a result, the eggs looked clammy and the fat on the bacon was congealed. Pickett didn’t care; his belly was vehemently protesting its empty condition. In any case, he had eaten far less-appetizing meals in his life, and been grateful for them. He picked up a plate from the depleted stack and set about filling it with whatever food remained.

He lingered over his late breakfast in the hopes of contriving a meeting with Miss Bonner, but by the time he finally finished, she had yet to put in an appearance. He wondered if she was being confined to her room as punishment for her foray to the smokehouse and, if so, how long such an isolation might last.

For that matter, why the smokehouse? Mr. Danvers had said she’d been discovered there “again,” as if she made a practice of visiting that particular site. And he’d called it the “old” smokehouse, which seemed to suggest that the building was no longer in use, at least not for its original purpose. Had she been keeping clandestine assignations with one of the other residents? A secret lover—assuming she had one—might explain why she refused to see Edward Poole on those occasions when he’d come to visit her only to be turned away. Unfortunately, if that was indeed the case, she might be all the more unwilling to leave if it meant abandoning a lover in order to escape with a total stranger. And that she would have to leave him behind was certain. It would be difficult enough for two persons to escape without being caught; bringing along a third would increase the difficulties exponentially.

Was it possible that her partner in the intrigue was someone from outside, someone who had found a way to slip in and out at will? It would be useful to know the method of entrance and egress the intruder employed. For that matter, it would be useful to know why the devil the fellow didn’t rescue her himself. Either way, he thought, if she’s playing some deep game of her own, she won’t thank me for shoving a spanner into the works.

There was very little he could do until he actually met the lady and got from her own lips the answers he sought. And since such a meeting appeared unlikely to occur spontaneously, it was up to him to contrive one.

Having delayed as long as possible, Pickett finally rose from the breakfast table, albeit not before encountering more than one glowering look from the daily girl who had been obliged to wait until he

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