The kitchen was immaculate, nothing out of place. I found a bowl in the cabinet and used it as a temporary dog dish, filling it with water. A quick check of the fridge showed that it had been completely cleaned out, save for condiments and items that were still viable. God love Kenny. He was priceless.
I set myself to the task of sorting the mail as I headed for the library. There were four large bundles set out on the desk, each one with the recipient’s name on the top. The mail fairy had been busy. I picked up Laurel’s for a quick check, just in case there was anything critical that needed a response. Several letters from old friends, no doubt worried about us after the news stories. Catalogues from several companies. A couple of bills that I pulled out -- those would have to be paid immediately.
I tackled my own pile. The usual junk mail -- offers for credit cards and coupons for special discounts. Colorful envelopes that probably had ‘get well’ cards inside. An odd-looking letter, handwritten, with a return address that looked suspicious. I stared down at the postmark. Los Angeles, five days ago. Slipping my finger under the flap of the envelope, I popped the seal and opened it.
“Dear Scarlet, I don’t know if you remember me, but I was a neighbor long ago. I just wanted to tell you how sorry I was to hear....” From behind me came a sudden whoosh! and I sensed an intruder in the room. Without even thinking, I grabbed the closest object I could find, my grandmother’s silver candelabra.
“Don’t even think about it!” I screamed, twirling around. I thrust the antique silver treasure in the air, ready to wield it in a mighty effort to fend off my attacker.
“Whoa!” Kenny took a couple of steps back, hands in the air. “It’s me, babe!”
My brain needed a few seconds to process the scene. Even as my thoughts raced, I fought to understand the danger I faced.
“Kenny!” I stopped myself from swinging the candelabra at that handsome head just as another figure entered the room. Bur. My brother gave us a big, cheerful smirk. He was back to being his old self.
“By jove, Captain Peacock, I’ve finally cracked the case! It’s Miz Scarlet in the library with a candelabra,” he gloated.
“Shut up, you blithering idiot,” I demanded, my voice rising over the commotion as our little watch dogs responded to the crisis, adding their two cents in the form of high-pitched yapping. “It’s not funny!”
“Sure it is,” my brother crowed. “It’s freaking hilarious.”
“I’ll show you funny,” said Kenny. “Miz Scarlet, hand me that blunt object, so I can show Colonel Grey Poupon here the punch line, emphasis on the word ‘punch’.”
“My pleasure,” I nodded, offering him the shiny candle holder.
“Oh, come on, guys. Where’s your sense of humor?” Bur was already backing away in anticipation of his friend’s next move.
“Show him, Kenny. Let him see that funny bone!”
“Anything for you, Miz Scarlet!’
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Author’s Amazon page: http://www.amazon.com/Sara-Barton/e/B008MK5LVI
Author’s blog: http://sarabartonmysteries.blogspot.com
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Other books by Sara M. Barton:
Henry Hartman’s Holiday Crisis: An Off-the-Books Mystery #1
Henry Hartman's Boondoggle Crisis: An Off-the-Books Mystery #2
Miz Scarlet and the Vanishing Visitor A Scarlet Wilson Mystery #2
Snow White and the Hunter: A Gabby Grimm Fairy Tale Mystery #1
Where’s Hansel and Gretel’s Gingerbread House?: A Gabby Grimm Fairy Tale Mystery #2
Little Red Riding Hood and the Secret Cookie Recipe: A Gabby Grimm Fairy Tale Mystery #3
Let Slip the Dogs of War: A Bard’s Bed & Breakfast Mystery #1
A Plague O’ Both Your Houses: A Bard’s Bed & Breakfast Mystery #2
Run for Your Life, Riley Horton! A Tell No One Mystery #1
What Evil Lurks in Monet’s Pond? A Paint an Impression of Murder Mystery #1
Miz Scarlet and the Imposing Imposter Page 21
