A Devious Lot (Antiques & Collectibles Mysteries Book 5) by Ellery Adams, Parker Riggs Read Free Book Online Page A

official-looking middle-aged woman into the cottage and eventually rejoined them. “Sorry to keep you waiting,” he said. “The coroner is doing a preliminary examination, and I’ve asked her to make this case a high priority.”
    “Will you be searching the house?” Molly asked.
    “Of course,” he said. “There’s a forensic team on the way.”
    “Don’t forget to tell them to look for the eye miniature,” Molly said. “Giles seemed pretty intent on getting it back.”
    “You think he killed her for a piece of jewelry?”
    “I think there was tension between them,” Molly said. “And when people get emotional, they sometimes make bad decisions.”
    “Your aunt, Tessa Paulson, did she know Tiffany well?”
    “I know they got together occasionally for coffee or tea, but you’d really have to ask her how well she knew her.”
    Boyle glanced at his watch. “I have a lot of calls to make and people to interview,” he said. “I’ll also need a signed statement from you, if you wouldn’t mind, and your fingerprints for elimination purposes. Can you stop by the station today?”
    “Yes, of course,” Molly said.
    Boyle gave her his card. “I’m retiring the first of December,” he said. “I’d like to get this case wrapped up soon. If you think of anything else I should know, or have any ideas you want to share, I’d appreciate hearing from you. Will your aunt be home all day?”
    “Probably.”
    “Good,” he said. “I’ll stop by later. Thank you both for your time.”
    Boyle walked back to the house, and Matt took hold of Molly’s hand. As they walked back to Foxcoat Cottage, he said, “As soon as we get home, I’m going to light a fire and get you a hot coffee. Your hand is as cold as ice.”
    “I’m worried about Gingersnap,” Molly said. “She ran into the woods.”
    “Don’t worry. She came to Tessa’s for help, and she led you to Tiffany’s. She’s a smart cat. I’m sure she’ll be back.”

London, England
    July 12, 1851
     
    Julius stepped into the grand marble foyer of the Abernathy’s London townhome in Mayfair at quarter to eight on a cool summer evening. He handed his coat and hat to the manservant, and nodded at his friend, Percy, who stood in the doorway of the parlor waiting for him. They were similarly dressed in evening attire—black pants, black waistcoat jacket, and a white shirt and tie.
    “Thank you for coming early,” Percy said. “Let’s have a drink before the others arrive. We need to talk.”
    Julius joined him in the parlor. Two tumblers of whiskey were already poured and waiting. Percy handed him one. The room was spacious, with high ceilings and heavy furniture, but it felt warm and intimate with a wood fire burning in the fireplace and heavy brocade curtains drawn across the windows. Julius took a sip of his drink. From the grim look on Percy’s face, he feared he was going to need as much fortifying as possible.
    “I’m afraid to ask what this is about,” Julius said. “Is it something to do with Lillian?”
    “Yes, it is. I hate being the bearer of bad news,” Percy said. “Harriett received a letter from her earlier today.” He paused. “She’s accepted Victor Henson’s proposal of marriage.” Julius felt his heart sink. “It’s not been made public yet, but it’s only a matter of time. She plans on telling you tonight, but I thought you should know in advance. A setting such as this isn’t conducive to such terrible news. I feared you might be in shock and need time to recover.”
    Julius looked into his glass. The amber liquid held no answers. Soon, dinner guests would arrive to celebrate Harriett Abernathy’s eighteenth birthday, and he would be forced to smile and act as if nothing was wrong, when in truth, his world was falling apart.
    “Of course, it’s shocking to hear,” Julius said. “But I can’t say I’m surprised. Her father’s been pushing him on her for months.”
    “It cannot stand; it must not,”