The Sign of Death by Callie Hutton (children's books read aloud .TXT) 📗

Bark, bark.

Amy leaned her forehead against the door. She turned to see the bloody dog running in circles, barking her fool head off. With no other choice, Amy scooped Persephone into her arms and left the room. Clamping the animal’s mouth shut with her hand, she raced down the back stairs and out the door.

William stood right outside, and she ran into him, knocking him off his feet. They both tumbled to the ground, Amy flat on top of William. As they untangled themselves, Persephone licked William’s face.

“What the devil were you thinking to bring that dog with you?”

Amy rolled off William, her skirts a tangled mess. He stood to offer his hand to help her up and then brushed off his pants. “Are you crazy?”

“She wouldn’t stop barking every time I moved toward the door. She would have awakened the entire household if she kept it up. Then it would have been investigated, and you can imagine the rest.” Amy swept her hand over the back of her dress and, carrying a happy Persephone in her arms, followed William down the path to the gate that led to the street, where his carriage stood.

His driver jumped from his seat and opened the door.

“Have you thought about what would happen if she continues to bark when we leave her in the carriage?” William helped her into the vehicle and climbed in after her.

“We will simply have to deal with that issue if or when it arises. We might have to bring her with us into the house if she does start up again. I don’t understand what is going on with her. She has been acting very strange lately.”

William smirked. “How can you tell?” Then he shook his head and glared at the dog, who glared right back. Amy rolled her eyes at the two of them.

“Since we found the hidden files at the house, I’m assuming Harding would have hidden the book he was keeping there also rather than at his office or flat,” William said once they were well under way. “Also, it’s quite possible his things have been cleared out of his flat, since I know the manager would not leave a place empty for long.”

“I wonder if Mr. Harding had relatives who would claim his things.”

“If he does, they aren’t local, or they would have shown up to claim the body. From what I heard through my contacts, Harding’s body was left unclaimed, and the authorities were forced to arrange his burial.”

“How very sad,” Amy said. The man might have been a scoundrel, but he still deserved family or friends to see him off to his final resting place. “Sometimes it pays to attend the funeral of a murder victim. The theory is the killer will show up.”

“Yes. I have heard that. Is that what you do in your books?”

She shrugged. “Sometimes.”

“I have been in touch with a few people in an effort to locate Mrs. Whitney’s stepson, Patrick. He is not known in the clubs I belong to in Bath, so we might need to get more information from her about his employment and activities. Where was it you spoke with her again?”

“It was at Lady Ambrose’s house.” She shuddered. “I dislike that woman, with all the snide remarks she made to me last year when the police were focused on me for Mr. St. Vincent’s death. I sometimes think she was actually sorry when it was proven I was not the killer.”

“Women can be more destructive with their tongues than men with weapons,” William said.

“I heartily agree. I don’t think it will be too difficult to obtain Mrs. Whitney’s direction. Since she is friends with Aunt Margaret, I’m sure my aunt knows it. I can send around a note to set a time when we can visit with her. She seemed quite distraught when I saw her at tea. I think she would like to know that someone is interested enough to unravel the puzzle. And that all is well with her stepson.”

“Then we shall put a visit with her on our list of things to do. I’d like to find out more about her relationship with her stepson.”

Amy’s brows rose. “I wasn’t aware of a list of things to do.”

“You might consider yourself a great detective, but my expertise lies more in organization.” William offered a smug smile. “I’ve already made up a list of what we need to do and when it should be done.”

Amy smiled. “Well done, my lord.”

After a few minutes, William said, “I meant to ask you how your conversation with Miss Gertrude went last night at the book club.”

Amy ran her hand over Persephone’s fur. “She confirmed that Mr. Harding was blackmailing her. However, she stubbornly refused to say why. She said now that he was dead, the secret had died with him and she had no interest in bringing it up again.

“She seemed so very cheerful about the man’s death that it disturbed me a bit. It is almost impossible for me to seriously consider her a suspect, but given the fact that she confirmed he was blackmailing her and her joy at his demise, I believe we should keep her on the list. For now, anyway.”

After a moment she added, “Oh, I can’t believe I forgot the most important part. She also confirmed there is a book where he recorded her payments. She said it was about the size of a journal and he had it with him every time she visited him. If it helps, she said it had a black cover. And she said the meetings took place in the pub we went to, where the man told us Mr. Harding met with people on a regular basis.”

“Well, that’s good to know. At least we are not on a fool’s errand, looking for a nonexistent ledger.” William shifted in his seat. “Keep in mind that if Miss Gertrude knows about the book, so does everyone he was