by Sara Rosett
I said, “I think that was a very polite, British way of saying, go home and get out of my hair.”
“You’re not thinking about going back to the States, are you?” Alex asked.
“What else can I do? I have to work.” I gripped his arm. “My airline ticket. I have to go.” I hopped down off the barstool. “I completely forgot about it. I hope the price hasn’t gone up. I put off buying it in the hope that something would work out, but I can’t wait any longer. The price is already pushing the limit of my credit card as it is.”
“Hold on,” Alex said, “I’ll walk back with you.”
I was already moving through the pub, envisioning some computer algorithm kicking into effect and the prices jumping. I pushed through the pub door and ran directly into a woman in black biking shorts and a matching competition spandex shirt.
“Oh, sorry.” I stepped back and held the door for her then realized as she removed her bike helmet that it was Elise DuPont.
“Just the person I wanted to see,” she said. “Do you have a moment?”
“No, actually, I’m sorry. Urgent business.”
“I understand you not wanting to speak to me.” She took off her sunglasses, and I realized she wasn’t glaring at me. “I behaved quite abominably. I’d like to apologize, if you can give me a moment.”
I blinked and let the pub door fall closed behind me. I glanced at Alex, but he gave a tiny shrug.
“I’ll walk with you, if you’d like,” Elise said.
“Ah—sure.” I gestured in the direction of Cottage Lane, and she fell into step with Alex and me.
“So, it seems I was misinformed about you, and I made certain…assumptions. It is no secret that your former boss and I did not get on. I let that prejudice me against you. It has come to my attention that you didn’t cut any corners to get where you are now. On top of that, I’ve been informed that you are the person I should thank for exposing Rafe Farraday as a liar and a fraud.”
Her little speech had stunned me so much, that I’d been speechless, but I did manage to get out a few words. “Thank me? Are you sure?”
“Yes, of course. I meant what I said earlier. I can’t have my documentary be the vehicle used to perpetuate a lie and a fraud. Horrible for me and everyone involved. That would be the end of my credibility. I am sincerely grateful that you uncovered the truth.”
“You’re welcome.” I couldn’t quite believe the transformation from shrew to graciousness personified, but I wasn’t going to be tacky.
“So that brings me to another point,” she said. “The documentary had been structured around Rafe’s revelations. Now the whole thing must be revamped. The network is still interested, thank goodness. I told them I’d like to include a section on weird and wacky claims related to Jane Austen. A sort of debunking of Austen myths. I believe it should include a recent fraud allegedly perpetrated during the filming of a recent documentary.”
I looked at her closely. Was there a twinkle in her eye? If it were anyone else I would have thought she was poking fun at herself, but this was Elise. She didn’t have a sense of humor.
“That’s good. I’m glad for you.” I shot a quick look at Alex. I was relieved for him, too. It would mean continued work for him.
“It could be good for you, too,” Elise said.
Yes, there was a definite twinkle.
“If you would agree to come back to work,” she added.
I stopped walking and turned toward her.
“Several of the scenes we filmed were based on Rafe’s information. Pure fiction, as it turns out. I will spend this afternoon rehashing the budget and working on a new script, which will involve new scenes, which will require more location scouting. Alex assures me that he cannot manage our current location shoots as well as look for new ones on his own, and I agree with him. We need another location scout. Can I convince you to return to the production?”
I was slightly suspicious of this new and improved Elise, but a job was a job. And I’d get to stay in Nether Woodsmoor, at least for a while. “Yes, I’m very interested. I’m sure we can work something out.”
“Brilliant. Welcome back.” Elise held out her hand, and I shook it. She gave me a quick nod and turned back to the inn, then called over her shoulder, “Five-thirty a.m. tomorrow. Don’t be late.”
“So the old Elise isn’t entirely gone,” I said as I watched her go.
“I told you she wasn’t a complete ogre.”
“She did apologize very nicely. So few people actually apologize these days. Usually they just give a long list of excuses and ‘say sorry if I offended you,’ which isn’t an apology at all.” I turned to give Alex my whole attention. “Did you have anything to do with that?”
“No. The word was out about Rafe yesterday. I told her we needed you back on board, but I’ve been telling her that since she fired you.”
“Hmm. Well, we’ll see how long she stays like this. Did you have a feeling she was the Wicked Witch of the West doing her best to imitate Glinda, the Good Witch?”
“No, I didn’t think that,” Alex said with a laugh. “But now that you mention it…”
I looked after her disappearing back. “I should have asked for a car before agreeing, shouldn’t I? Now we’re both without wheels. You’ll have to join me, hoofing it across the fields to our shooting locations.”
“I’m sure we’ll manage.”
“Right. So, I’m staying,” I said, looking at him, happiness bubbling up inside me.
“Excellent. I’m glad.” He extended his hand.
“Me, too,” I said, linking my fingers through his. “Now, I believe you promised to show me a castle ruin today.”
* * *
THE END
A Note From The Author
Thank you for reading Death in an English Cottage. I had so much fun returning to Nether Woodsmoor for this second book in the Murder on Location series.
Kate and Alex will return in another adventure. If you’d like me to drop you a line when I have a new book coming out, sign up for my newsletter. You’ll also get exclusive early looks at upcoming books as well as member-only giveaways.
If you enjoyed Death in an English Cottage, I’d appreciate it if you posted an online review. Even something as short as a few lines can help potential readers figure out whether or not the book is their cup of tea. Thanks!
If you’d like more England and Derbyshire in particular, check out my Death in the English Countryside pinboard to see places I visited on my research trip as well as articles and specific locales that inspired me.
About the Author
Sara loves dark chocolate, Pinterest, and getting new stamps in her passport.
As a military spouse, she moved around the country gathering material for her first cozy series, the Ellie Avery series, about a military spouse who is constantly unpacking boxes and finding an occasional dead body. With the On The Run series, Sara branched out in a new direction, writing about some of her favorite international destinations with a healthy dose of mystery and a sprinkling of romance. Her latest cozy mystery series, the Murder on Location series, features a location scout whose life is complicated by murder and mayhem while searching the English countryside for stately homes for Jane Austen-inspired programs.
A native Texan, Sara grew up reading and dreaming of writing books. Her stories and essays have appeared in Chicken Soup for the Military Wife’s Soul, Georgia Magazine, The Writer, and Romantic Times Book Review. Sara is a member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime.
Connect with Sara
@SaraRosett
AuthorSaraRosett
www.SaraRosett.com
Other Books By Sara Rosett
THIS IS SARA ROSETT’S COMPLETE library at the time of publication, but Sara has new books coming out all the time. Sign up for her newsletter to stay up to date on new releases.
* * *
Murder on Location
Death in the English Countryside
Death in an English Cottage
Death in a Stately Home
Death in an Elegant City
Menace at the Christmas Market (novella)
Death in an English Garden
On the Run
* * *
Elusive
Secretive
Deceptive
Suspicious
Devious
* * *
Ellie Avery
* * *
Moving is Murder
Staying Home is a Killer
Getting Away is Deadly
Magnolias, Moonlight, and Murder
Mint Juleps, Mayhem, and Murder
Mimosas, Mischief, and Murder
Mistletoe, Merriment and Murder
Milkshakes, Mermaids, and Murder
Marriage, Monsters-in-law, and Murder
Mother’s Day, Muffins, and Murder
