Murder in the Fields: A 1920s Historical Cozy Mystery (An Evie Parker Mystery Book 18) by Sonia Parin

Author:Sonia Parin [Parin, Sonia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-05-29T16:00:00+00:00

10

Disagreements and startling revelations

Halton House

Evie and Tom returned to Halton House harboring no great expectations, something Evie thought might actually work in their favor.

The less they thought about something the more likely it was to inspire them with a bright idea. They’d absorbed as much as they could and if anything had fallen between the cracks, it would eventually surface, providing them with an aha! moment.

In any case, their morning had failed to yield anything other than what they’d expected to learn.

They had no reason to suspect Mrs. Higgins or her niece. Or even Mrs. Leeds.

Thinking about Mrs. Higgins, Evie wondered what she would say to Mrs. Leeds. Would she mention their visit? If Mrs. Leeds found it odd that they should have returned so soon, she might ponder the reasons why and that might lead her to suspect them of being suspicious of Mrs. Higgins.

Heavens. What would Mrs. Higgins say about that?

Her ladyship suspects me of killing the vicar?

“It might be best to leave the investigation in Henry’s capable hands,” she mused. “I really don’t wish to antagonize anyone.”

“There’s no harm in working from a distance,” Tom suggested. “Henry appears to be willing to accept your ideas.”

They walked in and saw Edgar hurrying toward them. Taking Evie’s coat, he didn’t wait to be asked where the dowagers and Toodles were. “You will find everyone in the dining room, my lady.”

Evie looked at her watch. “That’s the last place I’d expect them to be at this time of the day. Has luncheon already been served?”

“No, my lady. We’ve tried to…” Edgar cleared his throat. “That is to say… Well… As a matter of fact…”

“Edgar?” Evie prompted.

“Perhaps you should see for yourself, my lady.”

Evie didn’t understand Edgar’s hesitation. He usually employed a direct, succinct manner, something Evie appreciated, even when she sensed an underlying hint of dry humor.

“Come along, Countess. There’s only one way to find out what they’re doing.”

Evie didn’t question Tom’s assumption because it was quite obvious the dowagers and Toodles were up to something.

They walked toward the dining room with purpose only to hesitate at the door.

“On the count of three?” Tom suggested.

Evie sighed with resignation and nodded.

As they walked in, they heard Henrietta say, “It’s just as I suspected. We have two Mrs. Maisons. That’s definitely one Mrs. Maison too many. Sara, pay attention. You need to take better care.”

“I am taking great care to write the names on the place cards in a legible hand instead of my usual scrawl. It’s not my fault if you have been repeating names.”

“I’m thinking out loud. There is a difference.”

“In that case, you should state a clear intention.”

“And what do you suggest I say?”

“You explain yourself by saying something along the lines of No need to write that name, Sara. I’m merely expressing my muddled thoughts out loud.”

Toodles shrugged. “That makes perfect sense to me.”

They kept up an amiable running argument, interrupted only when Toodles noticed Tom and Evie.

Hushing Henrietta and Sara, Toodles spread her arms out. “Ta-da. Just as requested.

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