by L. A. Nisula
“How do you know all that?”
“I told you, the carnival was being watched after the money turned up. They just didn’t know it was connected to the murder until I started asking questions. Now I’ve sent the boys to find Mrs. Albright. She’ll take you home. If you feel like you can walk, I’ll take you over to those food tents you’ve been using as an excuse and get you a bit of cake or something while you wait.”
“I’d like that.”
As we left the tent, we found Nick keeping Davy and Art at bay. They pounced as soon as they saw us.
“So it was Lucinda?”
“Nick says you solved it.”
“And Inspector Burrows got there just in time.”
“And…”
“Now boys, Miss Pengear has had a trying experience. Let’s let her catch her breath.” Mrs. Albright put her arm around me. “Come along. I’ll take you home and get you a nice cup of tea. Inspector, will you join us?”
“I have prisoners to process and reports to write. Thank you for the offer, though.” He leaned in between Davy and Art and whispered, “If Miss Pengear’s not up to talking about it, maybe Mr. Culpepper will tell you how he held the killers off at gunpoint.”
“Did you really?” Davy asked.
“Well, Inspector-”
“At gunpoint?” Art interrupted.
Mrs. Albright smiled at Inspector Burrows. “Perhaps we should invite Mr. Culpepper to tea as well.”
“Right kind of you, ma’am.” He tipped his hat, and I could hear his accent getting thicker and thicker as the boys looked admiringly up at him. “Suppose I take these little buckaroos to your place in one of those newfangled steam cabs, and we can pick up some cake on the way.”
“Can I go with him, Auntie, please?”
“Go ahead. It’ll give Miss Pengear a break from you two.”
The boys each grabbed one of Nick’s hands and dragged him towards the exit.
Mrs. Albright tucked her arm through mine. “Now you can tell me what really happened.”
I grinned. “Well, Nick really was something of a hero. But it started when I saw Constable Jones coming out of the side of a tent. Or rather I didn’t see him…”
If you enjoyed this book, please consider leaving a review at your favorite book site. The next Cassie Pengear mystery is:
Death at Dinner
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RLTCJ20
http://lanisula.com/books-2/death-at-dinner/
Cassie Pengear did not want to spend her evening acting as a parlor maid even if the house was in Mayfair, but her landlady’s friend was desperate, and it was only one night. But then one of the guests collapsed at the table. Now poison is suspected, and the cook is convinced she’s the main suspect and will be locked away if Cassie doesn’t solve the death at dinner.
For more information go to http://www.lanisula.com
L. A. Nisula also writes fantasy novels under the name Lisa Anne Nisula. You can find out more about her and her other books at http://www.lanisula.com and http://www.LisaAnneNisula.com
