Murder on Mallowan Court by Strauss Lee

Author:Strauss, Lee [Strauss, Lee]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery, Historical, Crime
ISBN: 9781774091678
Amazon: B091BG1DF2
Goodreads: 57627426
Publisher: La Plume Press
Published: 2021-09-14T07:00:00+00:00

14

The next morning, Ginger was surprised by Pippins’ announcement. “You have a visitor, Mrs. Reed. Miss Patricia Foote is waiting in the entrance hall and is quite eager to speak to you. She says it’s urgent.”

Ginger was all astonishment. Basil and Felicia had recounted their interview with Miss Foote from the night before, and she had been anything but cooperative. In fact, she’d dared Basil to arrest her and, if not, then to leave. She’d refused to discuss the status of her relationship with Mr. Entwistle or Mr. Rothwell. Her arms had folded, and lips had sealed.

“I suppose she’ll have to enjoy the pleasure of my company in my room,” Ginger said. “Do show her up.”

In the habit now of keeping a brush and hand mirror on her bedside table, Ginger brushed her red, bobbed hair and added a bit of lipstick to her naturally pale lips. In anticipation of her guest, she slipped into a fetching little bed jacket made of pink silk, trimmed with white lace, and tied the satin ribbon at her neck into a delicate bow. She then fluffed her pillows, smoothed out her quilt, and got comfortable. Boss, who’d taken to staying at her side rather than Scout’s through these last days of her pregnancy, watched from his spot curled up on the bed, with round brown eyes and a questioning tilt of his head.

“One can never be too prepared,” she said to him.

Pippins announced Miss Foote, and the woman strolled in like she owned the place. She took a moment to scan the room, her eyes assessing and flashing briefly with approval.

“Good morning, Miss Foote,” Ginger said brightly. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

Standing at the foot of Ginger’s bed, Miss Foote clasped her gloved hands. “Your reputation as a lady sleuth precedes you, Mrs. Reed. I’d like to engage Lady Gold Investigations to clear my name. I’m certain you’ve heard all about certain allegations.”

Ginger waved to an empty armchair. “Please have a seat, Miss Foote.”

Patricia Foote accepted the offer, placing her small handbag on her lap and crossing her legs at the ankles.

“Now,” Ginger started, “I have to confess to feeling a little bewildered by your request. Certainly, you can see the conflict of interest I would have, should I accept your request. My husband is a chief inspector at Scotland Yard, and then there is our proximity.”

“That is precisely why I believe you are the best person for the task. With Chief Inspector Reed in your pocket, as it were, you have access to more inside information than another private investigator might. Better the devil you know, as they say.”

Ginger knitted her brows. “It’s highly irregular for one to desire to hire a lady in my condition. Are you not fearful that I couldn’t do what I must to help you from my position in this room?”

“I believe you to be the type to rely on your brains rather than your mobility, Mrs. Reed. I’ve been told that Lady Davenport-Witt has been known to work alongside you.

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