Murder in London by Strauss Lee & Strauss Norm

Author:Strauss, Lee & Strauss, Norm [Strauss, Lee & Strauss, Norm]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery
ISBN: 9781774091838
Amazon: B08X8LXDCY
Goodreads: 57237554
Publisher: La Plume Press
Published: 2021-08-20T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

Rosa and Miguel had just finished a late breakfast when Ginger walked into the morning room, fashionably dressed in day dress with a full pleated skirt printed in a bold geometric design. It had sleeves that cuffed at the elbows and a narrow belt made of the same fabric. A short strand of pearls sitting close to her mother’s neck emphasized her sophistication.

“You two are late to the breakfast table today,” she said as she sat beside her daughter.

“I know.” Rosa wiped her mouth with a napkin. “Still a bit on California time.”

Ginger dangled a set of keys in front of Rosa. “This might wake you up, love.”

Rosa smiled, took the keys, and then looked across the table at Miguel sipping his coffee. “You thought my corvette was the bee’s knees. Wait until you see this baby!”

Miguel’s eyes widened. “I don’t know whether to be excited or frightened.”

“A little bit of both is what I find to be the best mixture for a motorcar ride in the country on a beautiful day,” Ginger said. “You’re welcome to give it a go, too, you know.”

“Thank you, but not until you Brits catch on to the idea of driving on the correct side of the road.”

“I heard that!” came Basil’s indignant voice.

“He likes to read the morning paper in his office which is conveniently next to the breakfast room and also the kitchen, and also, close to the tin in the pantry which holds the cake.” Ginger looked amusedly at Miguel’s sheepish expression. “Anyway, it has to do with the sword hand.”

“The sword hand?” Miguel said.

“Yes, driving on the left side of the road goes back to medieval times. When traveling on dangerous roads on your horse or in your carriage, you could fend off attackers with your sword or pitchfork or whatever you had in your right hand. Most people are right-handed; that was true back then as well.”

“Let me get this straight,” Rosa said as she stared at Miguel. “I have to do the driving and fend off road bandits with a sword? What are you going to do?”

Miguel cocked his head. “Hold on for dear life, I imagine. I’m glad to know why the English have a fascination with the left of things.”

“Thanks, Mum,” Rosa said. “I promise we’ll get the MG back to you in good shape.” She finished her tea, but her mind had drifted to what Miguel had just said. The left of things.

“Come with me,” she said to Miguel as she sprung to her feet.

“I thought that was the plan the whole time.”

“I mean to the attic where I have the case room.”

“Sure,” Miguel said, following Rosa up the staircase. “But you’ll have to explain to me why I’m chasing you.”

Rosa turned the lights on in the case room, stared at the board, then grabbed the thin decorative cushion from the chair. She stared at Miguel’s shoes.

“I need a shoelace.”

“What?”

“Humor me. Let me borrow one of your laces.”

“Okay.” Miguel lowered himself, untied his right shoe, and handed the black lace to Rosa.

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