Read Finished Off (A Bellehaven House Mystery Book 2) Online
Authors: Kate Kingsbury
Finished Off (A Bellehaven House Mystery Book 2) (24 page)
At the same moment another pair of strong hands grabbed her from behind, hauling her backward as, with a roar of tearing carpet and splintering wood, the floor finally gave way.
Howard's scream echoed to the rafters, followed by a
deafening crash and clattering that seemed to go on and on, until finally, all was silent.
Trembling with shock, Meredith looked up into the grim face of Inspector Dawson. "Thank goodness," she said weakly. "I thought you'd never get here."
Seated in the teacher's lounge later, her bound ankle
propped up on a footstool, Meredith smiled at the three faces regarding her with touching concern.
Essie had tears in her eyes, while Sylvia looked paler than usual, and even Felicity seemed shaken by the story Meredith had just related.
"You should never have gone there without us," Felicity said gruffly. "You came so close to dying out there all alone. Don't ever do that again."
"I wasn't exactly alone," Meredith said gently. "I rang Inspector Dawson before I left here, asking him to meet me there. I wanted him to be there when I found the slipper, so I could give it to him right away."
"He's rather good-looking," Essie said, clasping her hands together. "How romantic to be rescued by such an imposing gentleman."
Felicity sniffed. "Trust Essie to find something squishy in the midst of disaster."
Meredith smiled. "The inspector saved my life. I shall be indebted to him."
Sylvia leaned forward. "I'm so happy you survived that awful ordeal, Meredith. Though I'm sorry about your poor ankle. If there's anything I can do to help out, please let me know." She straightened. "I had better go to the dining hall. The students will be there for supper, and we are expecting Mr. Hamilton any minute." She glanced at Essie with a clear question on her face.
Essie nodded. "Yes, yes, we are coming." She touched Meredith's hand. "We shall see you after supper. Mrs. Wilkins will be bringing yours up here shortly. We thought
it best, so you won't have to hobble to the dining hall."
"I appreciate that." Meredith wiggled her toes and grimaced. "It is rather painful."
Felicity patted her shoulder. "Well, you just sit there and enjoy the solitude. We can talk about all this later." She followed the other two out the door, leaving Meredith alone.
Leaning back in her chair, Meredith uttered a sigh. She felt weary, as if all the strength had been drained out of her. It was a satisfying feeling, though, to know she had achieved her purpose.
Now that she had finally put the matter of the Lewis family's murder to rest, she felt quite sure that she would see Emma no more, and that from now on she would be able to sleep peacefully. In fact, a little doze right now might help to regain her well-being. Snuggling down in the chair, she closed her eyes. She was about to drift off when the familiar chill crept over her. "Emma?" She had spoken the name before she opened her eyes, and to her delight a patch of mist hovered near the window.
Knowing she had little time before being disturbed, Meredith held out her hands to the ghostly figure swaying back and forth across the room.
"I did it, Emma. The horrid man who killed your family is dead. Your father's name is cleared and now you can rest in peace."
For an anxious moment or two she thought she had failed to communicate with the ghost, as the mist began to fade. Just as she was about to give up hope, the child's figure grew strong and she could see Emma's face. One ghostly hand rose to her mouth and she blew a kiss and then, for the first time, she smiled.
It was such a beautiful smile Meredith blinked back tears. Before she could utter another word, however, the mist swirled around the ghost, swallowing it up before fading away to nothing.
Meredith stared at the spot for several moments, then uttered a deep sigh. She would not see Emma again. She
would miss her, but knowing the child was with her family was consolation enough. Closing her eyes, she drifted into a restful sleep.
The sound of the door opening woke her, and she sat up, staring at her visitor in surprise.
"Forgive me for disturbing you," Inspector Dawson said, "but I thought you might want to know the outcome of your little adventure this afternoon."
"Oh, yes, indeed." Embarrassed, she struggled to sit up. "I was wondering what happened to Howard Clark."
"Broke his neck in the fall, I'm afraid. Though it will save us from prosecuting him."
"Oh, dear." She felt a pang of dismay. "I suppose there are some who would say he deserved it, but I find it very troublesome that I caused a man's death."
"You did nothing of the sort." The inspector nodded at a chair. "May I?"
"Oh, please do."
He sat down, pressing his hands between his knees. "Mrs. Llewellyn, Howard Clark was an evil man, who had no compunction about killing an entire family in the most horrible way to save himself. He would have had no qualms about sending you to your death as well. He caused the fire that weakened the floor and, in so doing, precipitated his own demise. In no way should you feel remorse. Indeed, you helped bring a man to justice, and clear a good man's name in the process. I commend you for your persistence, though I have to admit, I'm at a loss as to what prompted you to take such risks."
She smiled. "I had my reasons. Thank you, Inspector. You have eased my mind."
"I'm glad. I wish I had arrived a little earlier to save you from injuring your foot. I did arrive in time, however, to overhear Howard Clark admit his evil crime. Had he not perished in the fall, I should certainly have arrested him for the murder of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis and their baby."
"And ultimately their daughter." Meredith sighed. "If it hadn't been for the fire, Emma Lewis might still be alive."
"Quite. All very sad." The inspector rose to his feet. "I must take my leave. I sincerely hope your injuries heal in a very short time."
"Thank you, Inspector."
To her astonishment, he reached for her hand and brought it to his lips. "I also hope we meet again, under more pleasurable circumstances in the future."
Without warning, from the doorway came the sound of someone clearing his throat. "Excuse me. I didn't mean to interrupt."
The inspector straightened, and Meredith looked past him to where Stuart Hamilton stood in the doorway, a decidedly frosty look in his dark eyes.
"Not at all, old chap." Inspector Dawson smiled down at her. "Farewell, Meredith. Until the next time."
Before Meredith could recover from his use of her Christian name, he had nodded at Hamilton and left the room.
Stuart Hamilton advanced toward her, his mouth drawn in a tight line. "I had no idea you were on first-name terms with the chief of the constabulary."
Nor had she, but she was not about to admit it. "Forgive me for not getting up," she said, "but I am somewhat impaired at the moment."
"So I see." He glanced down at her ankle. "How did that happen?
Meredith hesitated, knowing she could never admit the truth. Stuart Hamilton would never condone her dubious extracurricular activities while she was supposed to be educating the young women of Bellehaven. After all, hunting down a criminal was hardly setting a good example of ladylike behavior and decorum.
In fact, looking back on the events of the past week or so, it seemed as though quite a different person had occupied her body and mind—someone far removed from the stately headmistress of Bellehaven House.
And she rather liked her.
"I had no idea it was such a big secret."
Startled, she looked up to find Hamilton staring at her. Realizing she hadn't answered his question, she grew flustered, and frantically sought a reason for her injury that would sound feasible.
"Oh, it's no secret. I tripped on the stairs and wrenched my ankle. Rather clumsy of me, I'm afraid." Her laugh sounded false and she dropped her gaze.
After a long pause, Hamilton said lazily, "I trust the damage is not permanent?"
"Not at all. I shall be up and about in no time."
"Good." He looked at her for so long she again had to drop her gaze. "I'm glad to hear that, since I brought you a little present."
She looked up, just in time to catch a look in his eyes that further disturbed her composure. "A present? How very thoughtful of you."
"Yes, it's in the stable."
"Oh?" She frowned, wondering why he had chosen to leave it there, but fearing it too impolite to ask.
"If you insist on chasing all over town, you will soon put that ancient animal of yours in the ground. I believe you will find your new horse has a far stronger constitution."
It took her a moment to form words. "A new horse? That's truly wonderful! Thank you so much, Mr. Hamilton."
"My pleasure." He nodded, and began to move away. "Take care of that ankle. We don't want you injuring it further. Stay off it as much as possible. I'll send Dr. Mitchell to take a look at it in a couple of days."
"That's very kind of you."
"Not at all." He got almost to the door, hesitated, then came back to her. Reaching for her hand, he muttered, "What's good for the goose is good for the gander." Raising her hand, he touched her fingers with his lips. "Until next time, Meredith."
Speechless, she watched him leave. Only then did she
remember she had forgotten to report Mr. Platt's indiscretion. Her skin still tingling from the contact of her fingers with Stuart Hamilton's mouth, she smiled.
Perhaps she should simply forget her assistant's deplorable behavior for now. After all, it seemed an excellent time for second chances. For all of them.
Author Bio
Rebecca Kent is the alter ego of Kate Kingsbury, the national best-selling author of over sixty books. Her work has appeared on many bestseller lists and her books have sold all over the world. She lives on a golf course in Oregon with her husband, and a rat terrier who thinks she's Great Dane. You can find her website at
www.doreenrobertshight.com
and if you "like" her Facebook page,
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kate-Kingsbury/51478828226
where she keeps her fans updated with all the latest news, she will be delighted to answer your comments.
Other Bellehaven House Mysteries Available on Kindle:
High Marks for Murder
Finished Off
Murder Has No Class
THE FIRST TWELVE PENNYFOOT HOTEL BOOKS
ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR THE KINDLE!
The Pennyfoot hides many secrets and its downstairs staff keeps a tight lip, even when the Edwardian aristocrats are dallying with damsels in the boudoirs, or gambling in the card rooms hidden below the floorboards. Should now and then someone fall prey to a dastardly murderer, however, it is up to Cecily Sinclair to restore order before Scotland Yard steps in and shuts down her infamous seaside hotel. Eccentric characters, mysterious guests and downstairs staff shenanigans add to the merriment of your visit to the Pennyfoot Hotel.
