Murder at Kensington Gardens: a cozy historical mystery (A Ginger Gold Mystery Book 6) by Lee Strauss

Author:Lee Strauss [Strauss, Lee]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781988677231
Publisher: La Plume Press
Published: 2018-03-20T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty

When the curtain fell, a few hecklers were calling for Cynthia Webb. "We want Cindy! We want Jake the snake!" Word of Cynthia's backstage arrest had failed to reach the main room.

"Go out there and calm the men down," Conway instructed. "Use whatever means necessary."

"But there’re only three of us?" Sorcha complained.

"I'm working on rectifying that situation."

His comment shut Sorcha up. Tonight, she and Nuala were stars—next week they could be outshone by newcomers.

Ginger mused. Had they killed Emelia and framed Cindy in the process? For a chance to become small-time stars? Maybe this duo wasn’t as harmless as they appeared.

The three, with big smiles pasted on their faces, headed into the crowd. Mr. Phillip’s gaze never left Ginger, and he made a show of patting his lap. Ginger stroked his shoulder playfully but continued by. She could feel the diplomat's glare pierce her back. She made a show of teasing all the tables as she wiggled by until she reached Basil.

"Hello, handsome," she said loud enough for the neighbouring tables to hear. "Are you new to North Star?"

Basil smirked

Ginger addressed the room, "A North Star first-timer, everyone!"

The room erupted in a roar of hilarity while Basil rolled his eyes.

As if on cue, the piano player attacked the ivory keys with a raucous rendition of "Toot Toot Tootsie Goodbye," loud enough for her and Basil to converse without being overheard.

"What went on backstage?” Basil said. “I was worried Morris had found out you were back there." His jaw twitched with frustration.

Ginger patted his hand. "He didn’t recognize me. He arrested Cynthia. I don't know what he thinks he has on her that's not circumstantial."

"Do you think she's guilty?"

"I don't know. The constable took the snake before I could get a look at it. Perhaps your man at the Yard will be able to tell you if it's a wild scarlet or a coral snake."

"Yes." Basil watched Sorcha and Nuala work the room. "I want to talk to those dancers. Can you introduce me?"

"Yes, but we have to make it look casual and natural. You don't want them guessing you're a detective. Really, you need to relax. You've got the Yard written all over your face."

She reached over to massage his shoulders. "What did you think of my show?"

Basil pulled at his collar. "As a man—I loved it. As your . . . friend, I didn't like it one bit."

Friend. Would their relationship to each other ever be appropriately defined?

"Let's go to the bar," Ginger suggested, "and I'll head them off.”

Billy lifted his smoothly shaven chin when they claimed two empty stools. "What's your poison?" he asked Basil.

"Another whisky," Basil said.

Ginger giggled. "Moi, aussi. Me, too." Anything the dancers ordered from the bar came off their pay, and Billy duly made note.

Basil noticed too. "I'll pay for hers."

Billy was quick to pour their drinks, and Ginger lifted her glass to Basil. "To whatever comes next."

He held her gaze and clinked her glass.

"So, Billy," Ginger called, leaning over the bar. The barman settled his ocean-blue eyes on her in a way that made Ginger shiver.

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