Authors: Marni Graff
Chapter Twenty-Six
“My patience is being stretched to its uttermost.”
Ruth: Act
II
, Scene 3
9:35 PM
Declan conferred with Burt Marsh at the front door, controlling his anger with Nora. He had to remain professional. Simon offered to drive Burt home in his old Range Rover and left to retrieve it from the car park. The SUV’s high-clearance and four-wheel drive would let him navigate any remaining water and mud.
“Why don’t you come back late morning if you can get through—unless you want a cooked breakfast.” Declan remembered the man’s status. “By then, whether or not the play continues will have been decided.”
“I’ll either be packing props or finishing the set.” Burt didn’t seem to care either way.
Declan clapped the man on the back. Simon pulled up to the doorway and tooted the horn. “See you tomorrow,” Declan said, then waved to Simon and closed the door, standing there for a moment to gather his thoughts. He could hear the chatter from the others, clustered in the library, discussing whether or not the play should go on. Grayson had gone up to bed soon after dinner, pleading pain in his wrist and giving them a long-suffering, wistful look as Poppy helped him upstairs. For him, it was all decided.
Declan needed to get things back on an even keel with Nora. He was not happy about her stepping into the play but acknowledged that having someone closer to the company could be helpful. He also knew from his own experience with Nora that she
was stubborn and independent and would rarely back down once her mind was made up. He’d have to work doubly hard to protect her. He didn’t like this at all.
He found her in the kitchen, working on dinner cleanup with Maeve, the baby monitor on the counter. Amazing how those two had become chummy. When he’d been here last autumn, his impression had been that the two women barely tolerated each other. Yet now they seemed easy in each other’s company, going out of their way to be helpful and work in concert. He’d noticed how protective Maeve had been of Sean, too. Maybe that was the clue to the thaw.
Declan leaned against the doorframe and watched them wipe counters and dry pans, chatting over the noise of the dishwasher. Maeve saw him out of the corner of her eye.
“Spying on us, Declan?”
Nora wheeled around.
Declan pushed off the wall and approached Nora. He stopped in front of her and resisted the urge to scoop her up in his arms in front of Maeve. “We need to sort a few things out. Step into my parlour.” He opened the kitchen door and stepped outside.
“I know what you’re going to say.” Nora raised her hands as she joined him. “But you have to see if I’m in the thick of things, we’re more likely to find out who’s behind all of this.”
“That’s what I came in to tell you. I reluctantly agree with you.” Was he putting the case above his common sense? But he had to find the murderer.
“You do?” Her eyebrows rose to her hairline.
“I do. Unfortunately. But that means the minute—no, the
second
you see or hear anything useful, you let me know immediately.” He already regretted his decision.
“Absolutely. Without question. You’re the boss.” Nora threw her arms around his neck and dragged him down for a kiss before they went back inside.
Maeve gathered damp tea towels and threw them into the washer. “I was going to put the kettle on, all right?”
“Perfect.” Nora’s beaming smile made Declan’s heart swell.
He had another thought and counted off on his fingers. “One, Sean is asleep; two, Burt doesn’t need my bed tonight; and three, you have the baby monitor in case he stirs or anyone goes anywhere near your room.” He watched conflicting emotions pass over her face as she considered leaving the baby alone. Maybe this wasn’t the most realistic expectation.
“Hey, is this where the party is?”
Everyone turned at the sound of the new voice.
“Val!” Nora ran to hug her best friend.
Declan turned a wry expression into a welcoming smile.
*
9:50 PM
Nora couldn’t stop tears of relief from coming into her eyes. Finally, Val was here. Sean would be safe once he left for Oxford. Besides, she missed Val’s calming presence more than she wanted to admit. She wiped away her tears and smiled at her friend.
As she set up tea in the kitchen, Maeve emptied the last of Agnes’ shortbread onto a plate while Val explained how she got to Ramsey Lodge. They pulled up stools and sat around the large island.
“We heard about the floods. Sophie lives in Manchester. I drove there yesterday in the co-op’s Vauxhall van and waited to hear when the roads were open.”
“Sophie? I’ve been hearing that name a lot recently.” Nora bit her lip when her teasing made a shadow cross Val’s face and her friend averted her golden eyes. Was it too soon to think Val
would look for romance? Just because she was seeing everything and everyone through rose-colored glasses didn’t mean Val was in the same place.
But the shadow turned into an unusual blush as Val shrugged. “Too early to tell, and we don’t live around the corner from each other. Tough to carry on a relationship long distance.”
“Tell me about it.” Declan had everyone laughing.
“How are things here? Are you coming with me, Nora?” Val flashed those outrageous eyes at Nora, but Declan answered first.
“I’m afraid not.” He put his arm around Nora’s shoulders. “Nora’s going to fill in for the dead cast member so the play can go on as planned.”
“What?” Val’s golden eyes opened wide in surprise.
Nora shifted on her stool. She explained the drama of the past few days. Val’s eyes grew even larger at the news of Gemma’s death and Grayson’s insistence that the play continue. “So we know there’s a killer on the premises.”
“And you’ve decided you’re going to unmask him or her?” Val turned to Declan. “The assistant of your dreams, right?”
Nora widened her eyes at Val. “You’re not helping, my friend.”
Val ignored her. “All I know is I get my godson to myself. You won’t have him here as long as there’s a killer on the loose—and a mystery to poke your nose into.”
Nora gave Val a friendly shove. Declan spoke up, “I’m actually not totally convinced Nora’s staying here is the best idea.” His voice remained calm and even. “But I understand why Nora wants to help, and I’ve cautiously agreed to it.”
Nora gave him her best steely glare. “Every child needs time with his godmother—alone.” Even as she said it, she realized she’d never been away from Sean for more than a few hours of writing time when Callie took over. But for his safety, she had to let him go with Val. And she’d be busy rehearsing, getting up to speed on the play. “I’m staying, and he’s going.”
The kitchen door swung open. Simon had deep hollows under his eyes but brightened when he saw Val.
“Just what I need—tea and Val Rogan.” Simon gave Val a hearty hug. “You made it through—good to see you.”
“No problems getting Burt home?” Nora asked.
“Lots of standing water here and there, but the roads are passable.” Simon blew on his tea.
“You look exhausted.” Val fluffed her dark, pixie-cut hair. “You must all need a good night’s uneventful sleep.”
“That’s assuming tonight stays quiet.” Nora twisted her mug around in circles.
“And that’s our cue, Si.” Maeve picked up her mug. “Bring your tea.”
“Where am I sleeping?” Val asked.
*
10:15 PM
Declan furrowed his brow and sipped at his tea, at first intending to let Nora handle this one. Theoretically, Val could have his bed, and he could sleep with Nora. But that left Sean right there, overhearing their every noise. And it left Val upstairs, where a killer was sleeping. Bloody hell of a time to develop a conscience.
“Let’s see.” Nora hesitated, looking between her lover and her best friend. “Gemma’s room is still a crime scene, and I wouldn’t want you there, anyway—”
“You sleep with Nora,” Declan interjected. “I should remain upstairs to tamp down any criminal behavior.” He saw the grateful look Nora threw him.
Val slid off her stool. “I don’t want to come between the two of you.”
“You won’t.” Declan said. “A killer took care of that. Nora, can I have a word?”
“And that’s
my
cue to get my overnight bag. Thanks, Declan. See you in your room, Nora.” Val slipped out.
Declan stood and gathered his thoughts. He was putting Nora’s safety at stake to solve his case, and it wasn’t an easy feeling. He felt angry with himself as he looked into Nora’s eyes. He saw a hint of stubbornness but also great tenderness. She spoke with a beseeching urgency.
“You’re waffling on our agreement, aren’t you? I
have
to go undercover, Declan. Simon can’t afford to have the play cancelled—I owe him that. And I can’t let a murderer go free.”
“That’s
my
job,” he pointed out but had a sinking feeling it wouldn’t matter what he said to Nora. Some part of her wanted—needed—to be involved in helping him.
“No one else can get that close right now but me; you must see that. You’re the copper, the filth to these people. I’m just the gal who at least knows the lines, and they can laud it over me about how good they are. They might let their guard down, and I’ll see or hear something useful. And I know how these people are. I can read them better than anyone else here.”
Her pleading made sense, but he’d be damned if he’d tell her that. “If something happens to you, I’ll never forgive myself.”
“Nothing’s going to happen to me,” she insisted. She turned her face up for a kiss and closed her eyes.
“It damn well better not.” He left her standing there with her eyes closed, waiting for a kiss that wasn’t happening, at least not tonight.
“Unfair,” she called down the hall.
*
10:45 PM
Nora drew on her nightgown and checked Sean one last time. Val came out of the bathroom wearing pajamas covered in barking dogs and joined her at the foot of the cot. The baby hugged his bunny, his lips pursed and little fists closed. It would be difficult to pack him off with Val, but his safety had to be her primary concern right now.
“He’s grown so much in just three weeks,” Val said. She’d been visiting Nora every few weeks since Sean’s birth.
Nora wondered if Val’s frequent visits to Cumbria always included stopovers in Manchester. Val would tell her more about Sophie when she was ready. “Take that side.” Nora pointed to the left side of the bed nearest the door. “If Sean wakes, I can slip out easier.” She wanted to lie where Declan had slept, hoping to imprint him on her or soak up some of his scent. She would especially miss him tonight now that they were working together. She understood his annoyance at her door was based on his fear he’d made a bad decision. The important thing to remember was that she’d earned his respect.
Val slid under the covers and propped herself up on pillows, ready for a chat. “So tell me, how’s the detective’s meat and two veg?”
Nora colored. “Don’t be crude.” She threw a pillow at Val, who ducked. The pillow went flying off the bed onto the floor.
“Just teasing you.” Val kept her laughter low but clearly enjoyed Nora’s discomfort.
Nora got out of bed and retrieved the pillow. “Knowing you has made me lose any vestige of New England reserve left in my genes.”
Val sat up straighter, her voice rising. “Don’t tell me you haven’t shagged him yet?”
“Shh.” Nora pointed to the alcove and slipped back under the covers. “We slept together the first night he was here and again last night, too, but just to sleep with Sean right there.” She pointed to the alcove. “And I’m not going into details except to say: brilliant.”
“Yankee, I’m ever so sorry I’m the one in your bed tonight.” Val tried not to giggle.
Nora hit an emotional wall. Val’s grin faded when she burst into tears, and Val threw her arms around her friend.
“Yankee, what’s wrong?”
“I’ve heard from the Pembrokes’ solicitor. He’s coming here Monday.” She reached for a tissue and blew her nose.
“Muriel and Harvey?” Val made a face. “Those two—what do they want from you?”
“I don’t know.” Nora sniffed. “They’re settling Paul’s estate, and there are papers I have to sign.”
“They probably want a release from any responsibility for my godson.”
“That’s just it, Val. I never told them, remember?” Nora gulped. “I wanted to tell them before that man arrives, but then there was the accident and then the flood and then Gemma died … ” She held back a fresh onslaught of tears.
“Those two were so stiff and cold at Paul’s memorial. Do you really want them in your life and in Sean’s?”
“Not really. But he
is
their grandson.”
Val tilted her head to one side. “You’re quite sure of that?”
Nora swatted her. “Of course I’m sure. Just look at Paul’s eyebrows in Sean’s face.” She threw her damp tissue at the wastebasket and missed. “Anyway, I hadn’t been with anyone else for over two years when I got pregnant.”
“Just asking.” Val considered this. “Is Paul’s name on his birth certificate?”