The Stolen Letter

by Paige Shelton

  Laila’s eyes opened wide. “Aye? She told ye that? I didnae think she’d tell a soul.”

  I’d been onto something, though I needed more. “She said it had all worked out, that she never really stole anything.” That was the biggest lie of them all, but go big or go home.

  “Och, not stole. No, she just shouldnae been exploring is all. She was looking in drawers and such.” Laila looked at the desk next to us, but she didn’t say anything about it being one of the pieces of furniture Mary had explored. “They’re not to be touched. She was caught a few times, said she couldnae help herself, but needed tae ken what was inside them. We have given her no more chances. If she’s caught again, we’ll ask her tae leave permanently.”

  Well that had worked. “Oh, yes! That’s right. She told me she was going to behave now.”

  Laila sent me a shameful bat of her eyes. “I called Mary and asked her not tae come in. I expressed my condolences, of course, but I told her not tae come in until things settle down or the killer is caught. Am I a terrible person? I just didn’t know what tae do. Mary’s such an odd creature, and Henry kil’t—by a bomb! Gracious, I was worrit about the safety of everyone here. Is that reediculous?”

  It was a little ridiculous, but I would never say that to her.

  “Not at all. Safety first,” I said.

  “Aye. I suppose.”

  “Do you believe in reincarnation?” I asked.

  She looked at me. “Sweet lass, I’m old enough tae believe in everything and nothing. You’ll understand that when ye reach my age.”

  “Anything is possible?”

  “Everything is possible, and nothing should surprise anyone, lass.”

  I nodded. “I think I understand.”

  More visitors came through the front door. Laila perked up and smiled to greet them. She turned back to me with another smile and told me she hoped to see me again someday soon.

  I hadn’t seen very much of the museum, not nearly enough in fact, but I told her goodbye and then left, happy to have seen the Burgess Ticket and the writing desk, and maybe heard someone playing chess. I left a sizable donation in the box before I walked out the door.

  Why was Henry so obsessed with closing businesses? It all still seemed so random. None of the inscribed pavers were talking, even when I sent them my most stern look as I plopped my hands on my hips.

  And then I had an idea. It came to me in a flash.

  Sometimes, you just have to go back to the beginning.

  I hurried back to where I’d come from.

  * * *

  Rosie and I helped three customers before we could talk. Over forty-five minutes, the weather outside the shop’s windows went from cloudy to sunny to rainy. Customers liked it best when it was cloudy or rainy, and they would linger inside when storms hit. Usually, I enjoyed those who hung out with us. I liked learning their stories, where they’d come from, whatever their plans were. But today, I just wanted to talk to Rosie.

  She sent me some side eyes and I noticed that my voice was clipped as I spoke to one of the customers. I cleared my throat and shaped up.

  The customers didn’t seem to notice and left on a happy note.

  Once it was only Rosie, Hector, and me in the shop, Rosie said, “Did ye have something ye want tae discuss?”

  “I do.” I nodded toward the back table.

  Rosie, holding Hector, followed me there. Once we sat, Hector squiggled from Rosie’s lap and jumped into mine.

  “What is it, lass?” Rosie asked.

  “Two things. I never asked you again about the Mary, Queen of Scots’ coins. Do you remember more?”

  “I did check with Edwin but he’s not sure what happened tae them, though he doesnae think they are in the warehouse. Do you think Henry or Mary heard about them and wanted them? Could that be what this is all aboot?”

  “I have no idea but it’s a possibility. Anything is. I’m just asking anything that comes to mind. Any idea what they might be worth?”

  “Quite a bit, lass. Maybe priceless.”

  She hadn’t said the word casually, but there was no infused awe either. Priceless items in the warehouse were not big surprises anymore. Although, there was something reckless about Edwin not knowing where they’d been put. Maybe he truly had forgotten, or he remembered but didn’t want to share the details.

  “I’ll try to research them better,” I said.

  “What’s the second thing?” Rosie asked.

  “I know Edwin and the Lord Provost have clashed about some trees, but has he ever angered the council, or some of the members?”

  “Oh, that’s a fine question.” She fell into thought again, her eyes coming out of focus as she looked toward the front window. “There have been moments over the years. Once, he singlehandedly rerouted a road.”

  “When?”

  “Twenty years anon or so, I think,”

  “Probably not that then. Anything else?”

  “Aye, there was something … in Cowgate.”

  “Not far from here. Do you remember the details?”

  “Zoning. Similar maybe tae what’s going on now. There was a building. Someone wanted tae open a business there.” Rosie tapped her lips with her fingers. “It wasnae all that long ago, but I cannae remember the details. I cannae even remember whose side Edwin fought for, but he went tae the meeting where there was a vote! Edwin’s done this before.” Rosie looked at me with surprised eyes. Then she sighed. “I suppose that doesnae mean anything at all though, does it?”

  “Do you remember when?”

  “Aboot ten years anon.”

  “Okay, well, that might be something. Rosie, any chance the business was either an art studio or an antique shop?”

  “I simply dinnae ken, lass. I’m sorry.” Rosie paused.

  I grabbed a pen and piece of paper from Hamlet’s stash in the drawer in the table. “Go on.”

  “There was also that time when one of the historical clocks stopped working. The council voted tae remove it and replace it. If I remember correctly, Edwin used his own money tae replace the antiquated parts inside the clock. Aye, that’s exactly what happened. He had tae attend a council meeting on that one too, but he intervened before there was a vote.”

  “That seems like a good thing all the way around. No one would be upset. When?”

  “That one was probably thirty years anon.”

  The floodgates had opened, and Rosie continued. Edwin had jumped in regarding the zoning for the zoo (I’d been and it’s a wonderful zoo); some streetlight choices—older-looking was better in Old Town; castle hours—the Edinburgh castle wanted to be open longer hours, but the council fought against the plan. The castle won, with Edwin on their side.

  There were many smaller things too. Book festival details that Edwin had been put in charge of; things like hosting an international author or perhaps introducing one. He’d worked with or argued with the council a number of times.

  “My mind didnae even go tae all the other issues,” Rosie said. “Edwin might have gotten off on a wrong foot with a number of the councilors.”

  “I don’t know if any of it means anything or will give us any answers. It’s more information though. I’ll try to find and talk to some of them. Did you know Mikey is a councilor?”

  “Mikey from dinner?”

  “Yes. Neither he nor Henry mentioned their council positions that evening. I find that suspicious.”

  “Aye, I do too. Do ye think that any of this is tied to Henry’s killer?”

  “It’s impossible to know at this point. I’m sad—and trying not to be too scared—about Henry’s murder, but I don’t want this bookshop shut down.”

  “Aye, but I wouldnae be surprised if the two answers are tied together.”

  “Why?”

  Rosie shrugged and rubbed her arms. “I dinnae ken, lass. Just a feeling. Timing of everything meebe.”

  I looked at her. “Actually, I have one more thing to ask you about.”

 
Rosie nodded and Hector panted along.

  “Was what you said about the Titanic true or were you just playing along with Mary?”

  “Oh, it was true, lass. I dinnae remember much of it anymore…”

  I put my hand on her arm. “I’m sorry if my question bothered you.”

  “No, not at all. It’s just. Well, I had a brief private conversation with our host, Mary, the other night too. A few years back, I wondered if there was any way for me tae recall any of those old memories. Back then, I found a place, no, it was a group, who gathered tae discuss their past lives. There was also hypnotism involved. When I went, I was gung-ho tae give it a try, but by the time I got there, I wasnae quite so interested. It was bothersome. I did observe a couple of times, but then moved on, not interested in remembering.” Rosie blinked at me. “Mary is part of this group, she said. In fact, she said she was planning on attending this week, that it was royals’ week and past royals are front and center, whatever that means.”

  “I’m sure she’s decided not to go.”

  “I wouldnae be surprised if she does go. When she told me aboot it, she said they only do royals’ week once a year and it’s tae a full house. Everyone is interested in hearing some old royal blather.”

  Mary still hadn’t returned my call. I was kicking myself for not calling her right back.

  “When?” I said.

  “Fridays. I guess that’s tonight.”

  I pulled out my phone to search. “Do you remember what the group is called or where they meet?”

  “Aye. At the Writers’ Museum. It was called … Och, aye, Footsteps into the Past.”

  I was only surprised that it didn’t have “ghost” in its title. I wasn’t surprised that Mary volunteered at the place where the meetings occurred. “I was at that museum today, and met a woman named Laila. Do you know her?”

  “No.”

  The information on my phone confirmed that the group did, indeed, meet tonight. “Should we go? We can leave if it’s not interesting or if Mary isn’t there.”

  Rosie laughed. “Ye’ll not want tae leave, lass. Ye’ll love every minute of it, unless it scares ye I suppose.”

  “Why would it scare me?”

  “Well, if past lives are possible, then it stands to chance that all of us have lived them. If ye dinnae remember any, this sort of thing might cause ye tae remember. If I’ve learned anything at all, it’s that not everyone wants tae remember.”

  I nodded, but I wasn’t concerned.

  “Delaney, I want tae make sure that ye ken that yer investigations, questions, just might lead you tae a killer,” Rosie said.

  “I’m aware,” I said. “I’m not going to let The Cracked Spine close, Rosie. I’m just not. If it takes finding a killer, I’ll be careful. I always am.”

  We frowned at each other. I was careful, but I heard what she wasn’t saying aloud.

  She nodded. “I’ll go with ye then, but if it’s bothersome, we have tae leave.”

  “Deal.” I hugged her and kissed her cheek. And then scratched behind Hector’s ears.

  And they were only two of the reasons I didn’t want the shop closed.

  I looked out the window. “I need to run to Cowgate. That okay?”

  “Aye. Call Edwin on the way, see if he remembers what trouble he ran into over there. Ask if he’s found the coins.”

  “Will do.”

  “Dinnae forget a brollie,” Rosie said.

  “Right.” I grabbed one from the collection on a front shelf and went back out into the rain.

  EIGHTEEN

  The art studio and the antique shop were, indeed, right next to each other. Two neighboring storefronts, different and yet similar in that they both gave off creative vibes. Gretchen’s art studio was announced by a carved wood sign, simply stating Art Studio. Dina’s awning was painted like a patchwork quilt behind letters that said Dina’s Place, but both were welcoming.

  I’d called Edwin on my way over, pulling him out of a meeting in Glasgow I didn’t know he was attending. In an effort to make it a quick call, I said, “Edwin, three things. Do you remember what happened with the Mary, Queen of Scots’ coins? How about something that happened in Cowgate, perhaps having to do with business zoning? What about any issues you might have had with Dina and Mikey Wooster?”

  “I don’t remember anything about zoning, lass, but the other two are one and same thing. Until you asked the question, I didn’t remember.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Some years back, I found Dina. She was young and had just opened her shop. I thought I would see if she was interested in the coins. I like to meet up with new people, you know that. Anyway, I showed them to her and she wanted them, but she didn’t have the money. She was upset that I wouldn’t set up a payment plan for her. It’s just not the way I work.”

  “What happened to the coins?”

  Edwin laughed. “I saved them. I told her I would and she could find me when she had enough money. I think I remember where I put them now—they aren’t in the bookshop, but I will track them down. I think they are in my house. This conversation has helped me remember.”

  “Did you give her a time limit?”

  “I did not. But I never heard from her again. It wasn’t contentious really, but she wasn’t happy I wasn’t willing to do business her way.”

  “Edwin, do you think there is a way that is tied to Henry wanting to shut down the bookshop?”

  “Heavens, do I think Dina’s uncle might have been offended enough by something that occurred years ago to shut down the bookshop? That would be quite the grudge.”

  “Some people hold them forever. Or maybe they just want the coins and this is, in their minds, a way to get them?”

  “Lass, I simply don’t know.”

  “I’m headed over there right now. If I don’t make it back by dark, call the police,” I said.

  “Och, all right. Be careful, lass.”

  “Always.”

  I disconnected the call right after I disembarked the bus. For a long moment I stood across the street and watched the two buildings. No one went into or came out of the studio, but two customers entered and two others exited the antique shop.

  I crossed the street and pulled on the door of the studio.

  Soft background music played and pleasant floral scents filled the air.

  “I’ll be right there,” Gretchen called from the back.

  I zeroed in on a sculptured giraffe. Glazed to look like copper, it was an extraordinary work of art.

  “Hello, Delaney,” Gretchen said. “Good to see you again.”

  I’d decided that Gretchen just wasn’t a smiler. She might seem unfriendly, but she really wasn’t.

  “Hi,” I said.

  “Here to have a look at the building?” she asked.

  “Well, yes, I suppose so,” I said. “And your sculptures too. They’re extraordinary.”

  “Ta. Can I get you a cuppa or something?”

  “No, thanks. I thought I’d stop by and see Dina too.”

  “Aye.”

  “Gretchen, may I ask you about Dina and Mikey?”

  “What about them?”

  “Do you really think Henry and Mikey are somehow involved in wanting a Burgess Ticket excuse to close your business, or do you think it’s all something else? Do you think it’s personal? Have you had any problems with them?” I cleared my throat. “That’s a bunch of questions.”

  “I don’t think I’ve had any problems with them,” she said. “And I have wondered, but I can’t think of a problem anywhere, other than I’m probably not being good at hiding how I feel about Mary. She’s so strange. I don’t know any of them all that well.”

  “Do you think Mary could have been involved in Henry’s murder?”

  She thought a moment. “No, I don’t. They loved each other, of course, but they were also a good partnership. Annoying with all that past-life stuff, but they were a team. I can’t imagine either of them breaki
ng it apart.”

  I nodded. “Okay, what about Eloise and Mary?”

  “Have they had issues? Eloise not prescribing something Mary wanted so Henry sicced the Burgess Ticket police on me? Believe me, I’ve asked, and Eloise isn’t aware of anything like that happening. I simply don’t know. Look at this place though, Delaney, do you see any problems with it? Any reason I would have to reinforce the whole place? No, there isn’t.”

  “It looks great to me. I don’t know what’s going on either and I’m no expert, but I can’t see any reason you would have to do a thing here. Except keep sculpting.” I smiled.

  She didn’t smile back, with her mouth at least. I thought I might have seen her eyes brighten some.

  “Look around all you want,” she said again. “I’ll be in the back.”

  There wasn’t much to look at regarding the building, but I did glance at corners, noting some cracks in the plaster walls, but thinking they were nothing dangerous. But again, I just didn’t know what structurally unsound might look like, other than something obvious.

  I loved every single one of Gretchen’s sculptures and thought they would appeal to my new husband too. I wasn’t in shopping mode, but I was genuine in telling her that Tom and I would come back in together soon. She walked back to the front to tell me it was good to see me as I left.

  As I went into the antique shop, the two customers I’d observed walking in were leaving.

  “Those desks! I can’t believe how beautiful they are,” one of them, with a distinctly American accent, said.

  “I know,” the other American said. “The shipping alone, let alone the cost of that one, would break the bank though.”

  “Yeah.”

  They nodded and smiled at me before they continued down the street.

  The desk I’d most recently seen, Robert Burns’s, was beautiful. I opened the door and looked forward to seeing something just as lovely.

  “Welcome,” Dina called from the back as the bell above the front door jingled. She looked up. “Oh.” She cleared her throat. “Hello … Delaney.”

  She smoothed her jeans as she walked toward me. She kept her eyes down so I couldn’t be sure how she felt about me being there, but it seemed she was working to normalize the tone of her voice. However, when she reached me and looked up, she smiled pleasantly as she extended her hand.