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

stay open. But then, I imagine most people don’t know that.” Amy gathered her things as the members rose to leave the meeting, chatting happily among themselves about the upcoming book fair.

William’s head snapped up and he looked at her, his eyebrows practically reaching his hairline. “Excuse me?”

She frowned. “What?”

He withdrew the paper from his pocket where he’d stashed it earlier. “I don’t see where they requested the two of us to go to the morgue.”

Amy’s jaw dropped. “Whatever do you mean? Of course I’m going with you.”

He shook his head. “There is no of course.”

She pointed a finger at him. “Yes. There is. You helped me with my investigation, and now it’s my turn to help you with yours.”

He drew back in surprise. “My investigation! I have only been asked to confirm James’s identity.”

“Ha! Do you suppose your man of business accidentally fell into the river? How many people do you know drowned because they fell into a river? Do you know how many I know? None.” She crossed her arms under her breasts and glared at him.

The nerve of the man, to think he would leave her behind when something exciting like this happened. Well, actually a man’s death was not exciting—she said a quick prayer for his soul—but she would not be left out of it, at any rate.

“No. I don’t believe I know anyone who fell into a river and drowned,” he said between gritted teeth. “But that does not mean you will accompany me.”

“What it means, my lord, is we are in this together.” She decided she would need to use her feminine wiles; as much as she hated to do it, she would not be left out. She lowered her voice and attempted to look becoming. “I thought we were partners?”

William burst out laughing. “Don’t try that with me, Amy. I know what you think you’re doing. I will not be fooled—or felled—by female shenanigans.”

She huffed. “Female shenanigans! I will have you know—”

A cough from Mr. Colbert, who now stood in front of them, drew their attention. He had a slight grin on his face as he said, “Excuse me, but the meeting has ended, and everyone has left.” He waved his arm around the now-empty room.

Indeed, the room was vacant except for the three of them, and most of the lamps—all but the one next to them and the one by the door—had been extinguished. How could she not have noticed the darkness? Well, arguing with William took all her concentration. That was how.

William stood and held his hand out for her. “I am sorry to hold you up, Mr. Colbert. I am afraid we lost track of the time.”

“I apologize as well, Mr. Colbert.”

Mr. Colbert nodded at the note in William’s hand. “Bad news?”

“Yes. You might say that. This is a note from the Bath police. A man’s body was discovered floating in the River Avon yesterday. The police want me to identify the body, since it is presumed to be my man of business, Mr. James Harding.”

“Oh my. Not good news at all. Nasty business.”

Amy left the bookstore, stopped right outside the front door, and waited for William to join her. He and Mr. Colbert exited together. William said something to Mr. Colbert and then joined her. “I shall walk you to your carriage.”

“We have not finished discussing your situation.”

William placed his hands on his hips. “I have no situation.”

Amy poked him in the chest. “Hear this, my lord. I will camp out in front of your house and wait for you to go to the morgue. I will remain there in all weather and at all times of the day and night. Your neighbors will believe you have wronged me. Your reputation will be ruined. You will not be accepted in polite society. Your gentleman’s club will probably expel you. Your—”

William threw his hands up in the air. “Very well. Far be it from me to allow you to catch an ague by standing in the rain.”

Instead of showing annoyance, as he probably expected, she grinned. “Very well. When shall we go?”

“Tomorrow. I will leave my house at precisely ten o’clock in the morning. I will arrive at your house shortly thereafter.” He pointed at her. “Be ready.”

She felt like jumping for joy and then realized how very macabre that sounded. She sobered. “I shall be ready.”

William took her arm and escorted her to her carriage, which awaited at the edge of the pavement. He helped her in and closed the door, then slapped the side of the vehicle as a signal to the driver to move forward. As she gave him a slight wave from the window, he stood with his hands on his hips, shaking his head as he watched her drive away.

Just to be certain not to give William reason to renege on his offer to allow her to go with him to the morgue, Amy was up and dressed and sitting at the breakfast table well before ten o’clock.

“My, aren’t you the early one today,” Aunt Margaret said as she drifted into the room. She always moved with such grace that Amy’s bumbling through life seemed even more obvious to anyone observing them together. Nevertheless, Amy loved her aunt and honestly did try to emulate her, however meager her attempts.

“Yes. I have an appointment with William this morning.”

Aunt Margaret sat in her usual seat and poured tea into her cup. “Indeed? And to where are you two off this early in the day?”

Amy swallowed her bite of egg. “The morgue.”

Aunt Margaret’s hand stopped, her teacup midway between the saucer and her mouth. “Did you say the morgue?”

“Yes.”

Her aunt took a sip of tea and carefully placed the cup in the saucer. “I know I probably don’t really want to know the answer to this, but curiosity has always gotten the best of me where you are concerned. Why are you going to the morgue?”

Amy leaned forward. “Last night at the book club meeting, William received