“Either Finn is the messiest person I’ve ever known, or he’s not the one who did this,” I declared in dismay. “What on earth happened here? And at the greenhouse. And in the garden! Why would anyone do any of this? And where’s Finn? And his roses, and…”
“We’ll find out,” Miles assured me. “Right now, I can’t imagine what the answer might be to any of those questions, but we’ll find out.”
Miles called Sir Edmund with another update, and the poor guy—I really did feel sorry for him—said he and the officers would be there next. He also asked us to go back to the manor, and to look neither to the right nor to the left, on our way there.
He was joking—probably.
Miles returned his phone to his pocket, and we looked around one last time, on our way to the door.
“Wait…” I said, as I spied what might be a book, or the corner of a magazine, just visible underneath the dresser. Miles used his abilities to slide it out from under, revealing a photo of a colorful spring garden on the rumpled cover, along with the name of the magazine, and a few blurbs advertising the articles that could be found within.
“It’s been looked at often, in the twenty-two years since it was printed,” Miles remarked. The magazine opened, and the pages flipped past steadily. Nothing in particular stood out.
“Turn it over,” I suggested.
On the back cover was the name Riley O’Sullivan, and an Irish address.
“Maybe your maiden name meant more to Finn than we thought,” Miles remarked.
“I don’t want to leave this here for just anyone to find,” I replied. “It obviously means something to him, and this address could be important. If someone did this… and after what we found in the greenhouse… I want to make sure if they come back, they don’t find it.”
Miles considered that, then nodded.
“Alright. We’ll keep it protected, and our fingerprints off of it. If it becomes relevant, we’ll see it gets to wherever it needs to be.”
“Good, thank you,” I said in relief.
Miles zipped it inside his coat, then we returned to the manor. Despite Sir Edmund’s instructions, we did look around, but found nothing more alarming than dark clouds and the loud crash of thunder. We made it back before they unleashed more rain on the earth, which was fortunate. Although Miles could easily keep us dry, it would be impossible to satisfactorily explain how we managed to avoid every single raindrop, and I really did not want my boots getting wet! I didn’t want anyone to decide there was something different about us, either.
But, the rain was very accommodating, and waited until we were inside. Then, it unleashed.
“Does it usually rain this often, this time of year?” I asked the solemn guy on duty.
“It rains a good bit, though storms such as this don’t come often in spring,” he answered solemnly. “Might I take your coats?”
“Thank you, we’ll hang onto them,” Miles replied, and we made our way up the stairs to our room.
The first order of business upon arriving, was to take a photo of the address on the magazine. Next, Miles secured it to the bottom drawer of our wardrobe, under a sweater. No matter how anyone might try, they’d have no luck removing either. Not that they’d get in the room at all, in our absence!
“There, that’s done,” Miles said, as he closed the drawer. My stomach responded by growling, and he smiled. “You and me, both. As we missed breakfast and have no idea when or if lunch will be, what do you say we test our paging system?”
“Yes! Let’s do that!” I replied. “Elizabeth’s won’t open for another couple of hours, but we can make do with what we have in our kitchen. Our cupboards aren’t entirely bare.”
“Certainly not when compared to our current location,” Miles agreed.
Trixie responded swiftly to Miles’ page, and soon we were back in our suite at the Lodge. Considering how well she likes food herself, she considered the lack thereof as adequate justification for calling for a ride at four in the morning, Glen Haven time. I was glad to hear that!
We hastened through breakfast, so as not to keep her awake any longer than necessary, then returned to the manor. With us, we took the cart provided by Sir Edmund, the night before. Otherwise, at some point, someone would wonder where it got off to. Never in a million years, would they guess!
We thanked Trixie for the lift, then she returned to the Lodge, and we returned to the bizarre goings on at the manor.
“It’s about one o’ clock in the afternoon, here on the Isle of Camden,” Miles remarked, with a glance at his watch. “Edmund will likely call when he has time, but until then…”
“I say we do some wandering around. Together, of course,” I replied, and he smiled.
“That, I’m okay with. Whether we first speak to Marge, Lady Carlisle, some other person, or survey the area under renovation, will all depend upon the order in which we discover them.”
“That’s a very good plan, and likely to work out better than any other, since we have no idea where to find anyone, or anything, on our list,” I approved.
Miles wore a thick sweater over his t-shirt, so he was already set for the chill of the Bannerman Manor halls. After belting my own heavy, mid-thigh cardigan, so was I. We left our suite, and followed the corridor toward the stairs. As we did so, we met a solemn guy, and the well dressed middle-aged man and woman he was escorting. We nodded as we passed by, and continued on our way. A few steps later, another solemn guy appeared at the top of the stairs, with another couple. No sooner did we pass them, than yet a third solemn guy appeared, escorting two more couples. The hall was beginning to buzz with conversation, and so was the entryway. Couples appeared to be arriving in droves. Rather than descend, we crossed the landing, and continued on to the next wing.
“They’re here for the ball, I suppose?” I said quietly, though it appeared we were alone for now.
“I’d say that’s a safe assumption,” Miles replied.
“What timing,” I shook my head in pity for the Carlisles, and everyone else. “As if two deaths on the property aren’t complicated enough, without adding a crowd. Do you have any theories that would tie everything together?”
“The greenhouse, the missing roses, seeds, Finn’s book, Finn himself, and the attempt to steal the seeds from our room, all have hybrids in common,” Miles replied. “As for Gerald Abernathy, the owner of the restoration company, he doesn’t fit into that equation just yet. So, no.”
“Is there money in hybrids?” I wondered. “Why else would someone be so determined to get their hands on them? And did they succeed? The roses, seeds, and book are gone, as you said. I don’t like how this adds up. Either Finn killed someone to prevent them stealing everything, then took off with it himself, or someone killed Finn, then stole it all. Ug! I don’t know which option I like the least! They both end badly for him.”
“It’s fortunate we don’t have to decide,” Miles reminded me. “It is, what it is. We’ll figure it out, whatever that is. Don’t be too quick to decide there are only two possible solutions though, or you may skip right over the truth. Assuming no one clarifies with a lie.”
“You’re right, of course,” I conceded. “Where would the servants hang out, in Edwardian times?”
“The lowest level,” Miles answered.
“This place has to have multiple staircases. Where should we go from here, to find the right one?”
“The path is likely to be circuitous, but… let’s start here,” Miles said, as we reached the door at the end of the hall. Though the rest were closed, this was unlatched. On the other side was a narrow set of wooden steps, lit by a series of bulbs set into the roughly plastered wall of the stairwell. Miles took the lead, and we began our descent. The steps didn’t seem entirely even. It was tricky enough holding to the crude rail, I could only imagine trying to carry a load of laundry, or a mop bucket, or anything else, without stumbling. I wondered how many maids they lost over the years, and why no one ever thought to
do something about it. I wasn’t disappointed to reach the end.
But, it wasn’t the end. Ahead was a door, but beside it, the rough landing led to another descending set of steps.
“We’re on the ground floor now,” Miles remarked. “If Lady Carlisle kept the original layout, the kitchen is most likely below.”
“Then onward,” I said. “Or, downward.”
We continued our descent. Before we were halfway to the end, we heard the the clink of dishes, and the faint, echoing sound of rapid talk. Either meal preparation was in full swing, or… we were just in time for dinner.
At the foot of the precarious staircase, we were met by the savory aroma of herbs, garlic, onions, roasting meat, and bacon. At the other end of the stone corridor that stretched before us, a brightly lit open doorway offered a glimpse of a long table, surrounded by chairs. Most of the male occupants seated there—those we could see from our vantage point, that is—were dressed in dark suits, and the female in dark dresses, white aprons, and caps. If that wasn’t enough to convince us we stumbled onto the servants’ quarters, the presence of several of the solemn guys, as well as Jack the radiator whisperer, would’ve been. As we reached the threshold, we saw that Liz was there too, though like some of the others, she was engaged in filling a tray with the hot soups and sandwiches arranged on the self-serve counters that lined the walls on the right and left, along with a variety of drinks, salads, and simple desserts.
One of the solemn guys glanced in our direction. For a moment, he looked surprised, then he reassumed his solemn guy demeanor. I didn’t recognize him, and chances were he had no idea who we were, either. As he rose from his seat and approached solemnly, the rest of the rooms’ occupants began to register our presence, and the conversations around us faded.
“May I help you, sir?” the solemn guy asked politely.
“I’m fairly certain you can,” Miles answered. “On Tuesday, my wife and I had the pleasure of riding over on the ferry with Marge Allenby. We’re hoping to see her again, and say hello. I’m Miles Bannerman, and this is my wife, Anika.”
All eyes were now turned in our direction.
“Hi Liz,” I smiled, as she drew nearer. “It’s good to see you again.”
“It’s glad I am to see you, though you’ll be receivin’ a rulebook for certain, if Lady Carlisle catches you down here lookin’ naught but dismayed,” Liz declared.
“Then we have something to look forward to, if she does,” I replied.
“If I’m not mistaken, she would have to break the rules herself, to do so,” Miles pointed out.
“We’ll have to find another way to get our hands on one, then,” I snapped my fingers in mock disappointment.
Liz laughed, then her eyes grew curious, and a little concerned.
“It’s breakin’ the rules, you’re after?”
“It would be so much easier if we knew what they were, but no,” I replied. “We’re not that bad. He isn’t, anyway. We really would like to see Marge, though. We enjoyed talking to her the other day.”
“She’ll be in soon, most likely,” Liz said, as she looked to the solemn guy for confirmation.
“I believe so,” he replied gravely.
“It’s usual she comes about this time,” Liz added.
Solemn Guy’s forehead was furrowed faintly. He appeared conflicted.
“Would you care to leave a message?” he asked, then hesitated for a moment. “Or… perhaps you would prefer to wait.”
“We would, if that’s alright,” I said.
“Of course,” Solemn Guy nodded in acknowledgement. Before he could wonder what to do with us while we waited, Liz spoke up.
“Would you care to join us?”
“We’d love to, if there’s enough to go around,” I replied.
“Oh, there is,” Liz declared. “That’s one thing can be said for those of us as works here; meals are regular, an generous. There’s no need to be goin’ hungry, or goin’ without.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” I said.
I really was glad to know the Carlisles provided board, as well as room. It would be very hard on those who lived and worked here, otherwise. That level of thoughtfulness wasn’t what I expected after being left to fend for ourselves, so much of the time. Then again, if the manor’s servants fared no better than that, they would’ve all quit by now!
“Do, help yourselves,” Liz encouraged, so I handed Miles a bowl, and took one for myself. We did just eat, but… it was a light breakfast, and what better way to blend in and encourage conversation, than to join the others in a meal?
Solemn Guy returned to his place at the table, and the quiet hum of conversation resumed.
“It was terrible what happened last night,” Liz said with concern, as she returned to completing her selections, and we made our own.
“It was,” I replied as solemnly as one of the solemn guys, and wondered which terrible event she was referring to.
“To imagine such a thing,” Liz’s eyebrows knit. “It’s glad I am to see you’re alright.”
So it was me, we were talking about.
“I am,” I assured her, as we carried our meals to the table.
“To imagine one so brazen, an with your husband in the next room,” Liz frowned disapprovingly, as Miles pulled out a chair for me.
“Not to mention foolish,” another girl declared with a sideways glance at Miles, as Liz and her friends found seats around us.
“No kidding,” I said. As Miles sat beside me, I squeezed his bicep. “The guy’s lucky he made it to the hall, before you made it into the room.”
“Yes, he is,” Miles agreed grimly. “It’s some consolation he didn’t escape entirely unscathed, despite that.”
“He must’ve been tore up somethin’ fierce,” Jack volunteered.
“Enough clothin’ was retrieved to fashion a new suit, I heard the constable say,” a solemn guy relayed. “The name’s Fred, by the way. You introduced yourselves, it seems only fittin’.”
“I’m very glad to meet you, Fred,” Miles said, and the two shook hands. “And I agree. Anika and I would like to know each of you, so why don’t we start here, and go around.”
And so, the housemaids, solemn guys, and maintenance fellows, took turns introducing themselves. No sooner were the introductions complete, than the topic of conversation resumed.
“Was the man who intruded, the same man found lying dead in the garden, this morning?” Sarah the housemaid asked nervously, and all eyes turned toward us.
It would appear they knew Miles and I discovered the body.
“I don’t believe so, no,” Miles answered. “He showed no signs of having climbed down a rose covered trellis.”
“There’ll be no mistaken’ the one responsible,” Jack said, as he worked away at the food on his plate. “He’ll be lookin’ as though a mass of angry cats got hold of him.”
“The dead guy didn’t,” I confirmed.
“Whoever could he be?” Emma, another housemaid, worried.
“And what was he up to, at that time of night?” Rae added in concern.
“How do you be knowin’ the time, or that it was night, for the matter of that?” Sarah frowned.
“The outside was searched, about nine or ten,” Rae replied with exaggerated patience. “It was this mornin’, the man was found. He must’ve come to his end sometime in between.”
“That’s a reasonable conclusion,” I agreed.
“Whatever did he want here?” Liz’s eyebrows knit, as she puzzled over it. “For the matter o’ that, what of the intruder?”
“Whoever he was, an whatever he was after, we know it was an outsider that done it,” Jack said. “Mr. Giles—that’d be the butler—he made certain.”
“Mad, he was,” Peter, who was dressed casually like Jack, half-laughed as he set aside his glass. “Snatched me right out of me bed, same as the rest. It’s glad I am, I’d no scrapes nor scratches to cast doubt on me innocence.”
&nb
sp; “You were no more relieved than Mr. Giles,” Solemn Guy Tim said, with a hint of reproof. “It’s best for us all, to be ruled off the suspect list.”
“Is there a list?” I asked.
“Not so far as I know,” Tim replied. “If there is, it’s thanks to Mr. Giles none of us men as works here, is on it.”
I squeezed Miles’ hand.
“I’m glad to know that,” Miles said.
“It also narrows the field,” I added. “So whoever he is, why would he go to the trouble, and take the risk, to come here? Why would he go to our suite, in particular?”
Foreheads furrowed, as those around us considered that.
“There’s rooms aplenty,” Liz said. “It does seem unlikely he’d happen onto one of the few as was occupied.”
“If he was lookin’ to rob, there’s opportunities nearer the doors of the ground floor,” Fred noted.
“Naught was found to be missin’ durin’ the night,” Tim said. “Though the search was still on, a quarter hour ago. Some of us’ll be getting’ back to it, soon as we’re finished here.”
“I do wonder how he came to be inside, in the first place,” Liz said in concern, as she slowly stirred the steaming bowl of soup in front of her.
“There’s any number of doors,” Sarah pointed out. “It’s only the front, that’s manned.”
“Not anymore. Not after last night,” Solemn Guy Edward corrected.
I squeezed Miles’ hand once, then tried my own soup. It was as good as I hoped it would be.
“The doors were left unlocked, previous to this?” Miles questioned.
“At times, for the ease of those as works here,” Jack replied.
“He’ll not gain entrance so easy, next time,” Edward declared.
“We’ll not be seein’ him again,” Fred predicted, with a shake of his head. “He’s wounds enough without invitin’ more, now we’re keepin’ a watchful eye.”
Ashes of Roses Page 23
