Murder in the Manor
Page 23
“Ivan, I want to buy Crag Cottage,” she announced, the moment he picked up.
There was a moment of hesitation on the other end of the line. “You do?”
“Yes.” Lacey tensed. Ivan sounded uncertain. But then he let out a huge exhalation.
“Oh, thank goodness. It’s been such a handful keeping up with it all, I was going to sell it anyway but I didn’t want to kick you out. I can give you a reduced rate and—”
“Ivan, let me stop you right there. I’ve earned commission from my auction, and there’s more to come. My shop is full of customers again. We’ll get the house valued properly and I’ll pay you market rate, okay?”
Another pause. Then finally, Ivan said, “Oh, thank you, Lacey. I’m so relieved. Really, I’d bitten off more than I could chew with that place.”
With a huge grin, Lacey ended the call.
There was one more piece of business she had to finalize before she was satisfied.
She dialed the number for the RSPCA.
“My name’s Lacey,” she said, when the phone was answered by an elderly-sounding woman. “I’m calling about my foster dog, Chester. I took him on a couple of weeks back and I’d like to adopt him fully now.”
“Of course,” the lady said, with a gentle voice. “We can do that for you. Hold on one moment, and I’ll just get your details up. Lacey, did you say? That’s quite an unusual name. But I can tell from your accent you’re not British. American, are you?”
“That’s right,” Lacey said, as she listened to the sound of keys clacking onto a computer come through the earpiece. She gazed at Chester lovingly.
“Right, here you are. Lacey Bishop. Is that right?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Suddenly, the woman’s tone changed. “Oh,” she said.
“What is it?” Lacey asked. Her mind began to race. Maybe Chester’s owners weren’t deceased after all. Maybe they wanted him back. “Has something happened? Am I not allowed to adopt Chester?”
“No, dear, it’s not that,” the woman said. “It’s just… Well, this might sound like a very strange question, but you don’t happen to be a relation of Frank Bishop’s, do you?”
NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER!
DEATH AND A DOG
(An Ella Rose Cozy Mystery—Book 2)
DEATH AND A DOG (AN ELLA ROSE COZY MYSTERY—BOOK 2) is book two in a charming new cozy mystery series by Fiona Grace.
Ella Rose, 39 years old and freshly divorced, has made a drastic change: she has walked away from the fast life of New York City and settled down in the quaint English seaside town of Wilfordshire.
Spring is in the air. With last month’s murder mystery behind her, a new best friend in her English shepherd, and a budding relationship with the chef across the street, it seems like everything’s finally settling into place. Ella is so excited for her first major auction, especially when a valuable, mystery artifact enters her catalogue.
All seems to go without a hitch, until two mysterious bidders arrive from out of town—and one of them winds up dead.
With the small village plunged into chaos, and with the reputation of her business at stake, can Ella and her trusty dog partner solve the crime and restore her name?
Book #3 in the series—CRIME IN THE CAFE—is also available for preorder!
DEATH AND A DOG
(An Ella Rose Cozy Mystery—Book 2)
Fiona Grace
Debut author Fiona Grace is author of the ELLA ROSE COZY MYSTERY series which includes MURDER IN THE MANOR (Book #1), DEATH AND A DOG (Book #2) and CRIME IN THE CAFE (Book #3). Fiona would love to hear from you, so please visit www.fionagraceauthor.com to receive free ebooks, hear the latest news, and stay in touch.
BOOKS BY FIONA GRACE
ELLA ROSE COZY MYSTERY
MURDER IN THE MANOR (Book#1)
DEATH AND A DOG (Book #2)
CRIME IN THE CAFE (Book #3)