Left to Lapse (An Adele Sharp Mystery—Book Seven) by Blake Pierce (book club suggestions txt) 📗

and he wasn’t quite sure why. But he shruggedand shook his head, like a grizzly dislodging droplets from its fur. “Look—Adeleand I don’t always see things the same way. She’s a good girl. She neededsomeone like you, a mentor.”

“Youraised an amazing child. That credit goes to you.”

“Mostlyher mother, really.”

“Iwouldn’t be so sure,” Robert said, smiling. “You both have the same eyes. Samegrit.”

TheSergeant paused, feeling a flicker of emotion in his chest. The man’s words—aman he’d just met—shouldn’t matter so much, should they? And yet still, he feltfor a moment like he’d just been given a gift. The Sergeant sighed, then said, “Maybeyou’re right. I tried. I really did.”

“Ibelieve you,” said Robert with a gentle nod. “I… Speaking of Adele, there’ssomething I wanted to give her, but I’m just…” He shook his head.

“Youcan give it to her yourself,” the Sergeant said. “Whatever it is.”

“I’dlike to. But I think she’s out on a case and,” Robert swallowed, breathingshallowly a moment to stave off another bout of coughing. “If I’m honest, I don’tknow how much longer I have.”

TheSergeant glanced at the frail man. “You look sick, but not that sick.You can hang on a few more days, no?”

Robertchuckled for a moment, shaking his head and muttering beneath his breath.

“Whatwas that?” the Sergeant asked.

“Oh…nothing. Just… Yes, you two are more alike than you know.” He sighed now, andshrugged. “Maybe you’re right. I’ll just give it to her myself, I think. I…Well…” He frowned now, shaking his head slowly. “It’s the funniest thing. But Ihave this feeling… you know… Like I might not see her again.”

TheSergeant waved his hand airily. “Ah, forget about it. You’ll see her. Buckup—she’ll stop by as soon as she’s back. I’m sure she will. I know at leastthat about my daughter. She’s a loyal sort. A bit emotional at times, butloyal.”

Robertnodded. “Yes, she is that. Well, you’ve convinced me. I’ll hang on to it untilI see her in person. Thank you, Joseph.”

TheSergeant coughed hesitantly and shrugged his large shoulders. “Well… Good then.And—yes, thank you. For who you’ve been to her.”

TheSergeant jutted out a hand. Robert reached to take it, but began coughing againand doubled over.

Josephlooked at the old, frail man and sighed. He’d seen so much death that now italmost seemed par for the course. He remembered as a child, how invincible he’dfelt, how often he’d simply refused to contemplate what came next…

TheSergeant kept his hand extended, and Robert finally manage to recover, grip it,and murmur in a quiet, strained voice, “The pleasure was mine. Truly. And ifwhat you say is true, Mr. Sharp, I’ll tell Elise you’re thinking of her.”

“Appreciated.”

Then,without further ado, Joseph Sharp turned and pushed out the door, frowning. Hewasn’t sure what sort of man Robert really was. But Adele often had a nose forcharlatans, and Robert didn’t seem the sort. Even on the verge of death, heoffered an attempt at placation. A gift to the Sergeant. And a gift to Adele.He could see in Robert’s eyes he wasn’t so sure about eternity, or anythingthat lay beyond. But in Joseph Sharp’s opinion, oblivion or otherwise, he’d seehis wife again.

Thatwas a matter of fact.

Henodded to himself, giving a half wave as Robert called in farewell, and thenmarched down the steps, leaving the mansion behind him and heading back towardhis waiting taxi.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Adelestood in the dining car, one hand braced against the lacquered counter of thebar, her eyes fixed on the station ahead of them. She felt the train chuggingalong, the French countryside flitting by as the Normandie Express dipped eastof Paris, nearing the German border.

Nomurders in the night. She had the staff check rooms. Everyone alive andaccounted for.

Hadthey been wrong about this whole enterprise? A murder per day, though, meant todaywould be the next kill.

Adelefrowned as the train began to squeal against the tracks, coming to a halt inthe last station before the German border.

Shelooked through the windows, still standing and swaying with the motion of thesudden stop. A voice announced over speakers, disguised beneath one of thechandeliers, “Last stop for day passengers. We plan to remain for no morethan half an hour. Be back by ten for the next leg.”

Adelepressed forward now, her forehead practically pushed against the glass as shewatched passengers arrive and board the train, gathering before the twoseparate entrances. The first, near coach, she ignored.

Hereyes were drawn to the small gathering of first-class passengers now waitingfor one of the ticket collectors to wave them aboard.

Herbreath fogged up the glass as she leaned in, eyes narrowed, watching the newpassengers. She witnessed a middle-aged couple board first; a smiling woman anda stern-faced man handed their tickets to the attendee. They were quickly usheredaboard, along with one of the valets who carried their luggage.

Anotherone of the valets waited, watching expectantly for the signal from the ticketcollector that he should grab the luggage.

Thepassengers idled by, waiting for the permission to start boarding. Adelesighed, still watching, her breath steaming the glass. As she stood, shethought back to Paris, back to her apartment. She felt a flash of guilt athaving left her father alone after making him fly from Germany. She’d needed totell him everything in person—but the timing of this new case hadn’t been ideal…Maybe she owed him a call.

Shekept her eyes fixed on the passengers as they also waited, watching the ticketcollector. As she did, she reluctantly reached into her pocket, pulling out herphone. She swallowed, lifting the device. For a moment, she paused, but then,instead of calling her father, she dialed Robert’s number from heart. So manytimes, in the middle of a case, she’d had to contact her old mentor. He was awell of information, a crack detective, but even more than that: a dear, dearfriend.

Shewaited, listening as the phone rang. Her stomach twisted a bit as uneasesettled on her. “Come on, Robert,” she murmured.

Noanswer. She waited for the automated voice and then after the beep said, “Hello,Robert. I’m sorry I haven’t called. Busy with the case. Just… I imagine you’rein treatment or something. When you get the chance, if you could… please shootme a message