Laura Lee Guhrke Read Free Page B

back the feather. “Of course! It was Robert Burns. So there you are.”
    Mick stared at her, feeling a bit dazed. He didn’tknow what Robert Burns had to do with anything, especially since the fellow had been dead for nearly a century. “I don’t understand.”
    “The statue I saw was of Robert Burns. So the murder must be in the Victoria Embankment Gardens.”
    “Must be? Don’t you know where you were when you saw this murder?”
    “Of course I know where I was,” she answered. “I was in bed. I’m just not certain where the murder is, but now, because I remembered about Robert Burns, I am certain. Do you see?”
    He didn’t. How could she see a murder if she was in bed? His bewilderment must have shown in his face.
    “It’s difficult to explain,” she said, “especially now that I’ve met you.”
    What did meeting him have to do with anything? A dull ache began between his eyebrows. He tried another question. “Did you see a body?”
    “Oh, yes.” She gave a shudder and recoiled slightly in her chair. “I’m so sorry to be the one to tell you about this.”
    Mick’s patience was coming to an end. “Let me see if I understand you, miss,” he said heavily. “You believe that a murder has been committed in Victoria Embankment Gardens, and you saw the body there, but you were in bed at the time?”
    “Oh, no, no, you misunderstand me. The murder hasn’t happened yet, thank God. If it had, you and I would not be having this conversation. You see—”
    “How could you possibly see a dead body from a murder that hasn’t happened yet?”
    She took a deep breath and met his gaze across the desk. “I saw it in my mind.”
    He didn’t need this. He didn’t need one of the loony ones today. He was tired, he was hungry, and he was getting a headache. Rubbing his forehead with the tips of his fingers, he thought with wistful longing of his steak and chips. “It’s lack of food,” he muttered to himself. “I should’ve eaten that pasty.”
    “But you hate mutton, don’t you?”
    “What?” Mick lifted his head and stared at her, feeling again that little tingle along the back of his neck. What on earth had made her ask that? How could she know he hated mutton?
    An explanation came to him at once. Billy and Rob. It had to be. His two best friends were behind this. They had hired this girl to come to him to report some incredible, silly, made-up crime. Another birthday joke.
    Well, she was a damned fine actress. They’d probably found her in some run-down theater off Drury Lane. Now that he understood what his friends had done, Mick’s good humor began to return, especially when he began plotting how to get them back. He leaned back in his chair and grinned at her. “How much?”
    She stared at him. “I beg your pardon?”
    “How much did they pay you?” When she didn’t answer, he went on, “I’ll tell Billy and Rob that this time they got me good and proper.” His smile widened. “But I will get my revenge.”
    “I’m sorry,” she said, shaking her head in confusion. “I have no idea who Billy and Rob are. Whoeverthey may be, they haven’t ‘gotten you yet,’ as you put it. That’s still to come, unless we can prevent it. You see—”
    “Really?” he interrupted, laughing. “You mean there’s more to their little joke?”
    “Joke?” Her confused expression changed to one of consternation. “I should hope you don’t find murder amusing. I don’t, and I doubt you will either once I tell you about it.”
    “Right.” Mick stood up. “I think I’ve heard enough already.”
    “No, wait.” She rose as well, eyeing him in dismay. “I haven’t finished.”
    “Don’t worry. I’m seeing the lads in just a few minutes, and I’ll be sure to tell them what a fine job you did.” He pulled his jacket from the back of his chair. “Good-bye, Miss Haversham, If that’s really your name.”
    He started for the door leading out to the courtyard, ignoring Fletcher’s grin