Garden of Lies Read Free Page B

“I meant to say, what sort of secretarial work do you feel is more critical than cataloging my artifacts? Is your new client a banker? The owner of a large business, perhaps? A lawyer or a lady in Polite Society who finds herself in need of your services?”
    â€œA few days ago I was summoned to the house of a woman named Anne Clifton. Anne worked for me for two years. She became more than an employee. I considered her a friend. We had some things in common.”
    â€œI notice you are speaking in the past tense.”
    â€œAnne was found dead in her study. I sent for the police but the detective who was kind enough to visit the scene declared that in his opinion Anne’s death was from natural causes. He thinks her heart failed or that she suffered a stroke.”
    Slater did not move. He watched her as though she had just announced that she could fly. Clearly her response was not the answer he had expected but he recovered with remarkable speed.
    â€œI’m sorry to hear of Miss Clifton’s death,” he said. He paused, eyes narrowing faintly. “What made you summon the police?”
    â€œI believe Anne may have been murdered.”
    Slater looked at her, saying nothing for a time. Eventually he removed his spectacles and began to polish them with a pristine white handkerchief.
    â€œHuh,” he said.
    Ursula debated another moment. The truth of the matter was that she wanted very much to discuss her plan with someone who would not only understand, but possibly provide some useful advice—someone who could keep a confidence. Her intuition told her that Slater Roxton was good at keeping secrets. Furthermore, in the past few days it had become blazingly clear that he possessed an extremely logical mind. Some would say he took that particular trait to the extreme.
    â€œWhat I am about to tell you must be held in strictest confidence, do you understand?” she said.
    His dark brows came together in a forbidding line. She knew she had offended him.
    â€œRest assured I am quite capable of keeping my mouth shut, Mrs. Kern.”
    Each word was coated in a thin layer of ice.
    She adjusted her gloves and then clasped her hands firmly together in her lap. She took an additional moment to collect her thoughts. She had not told anyone else, not even her assistant, Matty, what she intended to do.
    â€œI have reason to suspect that Anne Clifton was murdered,” she repeated. “I intend to take her place in the household of her client to see if I can find some clues that will point to the killer.”
    For the first time since she had made his acquaintance, Slater appeared to be caught off guard. For a few seconds he stared at her, clearly stunned.
    â€œWhat?” he said finally.
    â€œYou heard me, sir. The police do not see fit to investigate Anne’s death. As there is no one else available, I intend to take on the task.”
    Slater finally managed to pull himself together.
    â€œThat’s sheer madness,” he said very quietly.
    So much for hoping that he would understand. She got to her feet and reached up to pull the black netting down from the brim of her little velvet hat. She started toward the door.
    â€œI would remind you of your promise to keep my secret,” she said. “Now, if you don’t mind, I really must be going. I will send word as soon as I have resolved the situation regarding Anne’s death. Perhaps you will consider hiring me again to assist you.”
    â€œStop right there, Mrs. Kern. Do not take another step until I have worked my way through this . . . this tangled knot of chaos that you have just tossed at my feet.”
    She paused, one hand on the doorknob, and turned around to confront him. “
Tangled knot of chaos?
A foreign expression, perhaps?”
    â€œI’m sure you know full well what I meant.”
    â€œThere is nothing to be worked through. The only reason I confided my intentions to you was