Kindle Edition
Download to your Nook (eBook)
Download from Apple iTunes (eBook)
Amazon
Cynthia E. Hurst mysteries
Category:
Mystery/Suspense
Publisher: Lilax Books
ISBN-10: B073PJXS64
Type: Fiction
Pages: 215
Copyright: July 3, 2017
ISBN-13: 9781548612177
Price: $3.99 (eBook)
A second case for the two unusual amateur detectives in 1860s Oxfordshire.
Jacob Silver’s wrought iron garden gate disappears, and two lovers vanish into the night with a stolen horse and cart. There appears to be no connection between the events, until the gate reappears, along with a corpse and a terrified girl. Although Jacob and his housemaid Sarah Simm are both viewed with suspicion in their Cotswold market town, the local police inspector enlists their help in discovering what happened that fateful night. With the stolen gate, a stray nail and a few whispered words as the only clues, they follow a trail that leads to a murder forged in a fire of jealousy and revenge.
Excerpt
A silence fell and finally Jacob said, “Is there anything Sarah or I can do to help, Inspector? At least I don’t think you came here simply to share your information or ask for our reconstructions of the crime. Especially since you took the trouble to come down the alley to the scullery door where you wouldn’t be seen to be calling.”
“Perceptive, as always, Mr Silver,” Carey said.
Jacob wondered why a simple comment that appeared to be complimentary should make him feel so apprehensive.
“And you wish to ask a favor of one or both of us.”
“Yes, I do. It will require no risk on your part, I assure you.”
“As I recall, the last time you told me that, I was facing an armed madman who nearly stabbed me,” Jacob said.
“This is entirely a different situation. It requires nothing from you except an ability to listen, which I am sure you possess.”
“Listen to whom?” Jacob asked warily. “Or what?”
“And of course, the knowledge of how to repair a malfunctioning clock.”
“I am beginning to sense a plot here, Inspector.”
“And you would be correct. The Chances have a rather handsome grandfather clock in their parlor, conveniently located just inside the door. I happened to notice it was not set to the correct time, and Mr Chance agreed and said he would need to have it repaired. Since it is far too large and heavy to move, the repairs would have to be done at the house.”
“By me, I presume.”
“Of course.”
Jacob took a minute to think about it. “What exactly do you expect me to overhear whilst repairing the clock?”
“I have no idea. But there is something being held back in that household; something I cannot discover through official questioning. You may not hear anything of interest, but if you are there for two or three days – however long you can manage to make your repair work last – you may possibly get a hint of what it is. I will take whatever crumbs you can scavenge. If you agree to help, that is.”
“Won’t it rather be a question of whether Mr Chance asks me to repair his clock?” He caught a glimpse of a smile on the inspector’s face. “Or have you already laid the groundwork for that request?”
“You may say that. And as you mentioned earlier, he is already familiar with your work and your reputation. I suggested you might be available to come to the house tomorrow and he agreed. He will send a messenger around in the morning with written confirmation.”
“I reckon he broke that clock on purpose,” Sarah murmured, just loud enough for Jacob to hear and give her a warning glance.
“Strictly by accident,” Carey said, straight-faced. “I may have nudged it a bit as I passed, although according to Mr Chance, it does have a tendency to stop unexpectedly.”
“It will difficult to get two or three days of repair work from that,” Jacob said. “Unless …”
“Something else goes wrong with it,” Carey said. “I trust your judgement, Mr Silver.”
|
