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Holly grinned when she saw Theodosia crook a finger at her.
“Your shop is so busy.” Holly sounded surprised as she hurried over to the front counter.
“Ever since Haley came up with this idea for a prix fixe cream tea, we’ve had to beat customers off with a stick,” Theodosia said.
“Wish I could say that,” Holly said with a wistful tone. Then her mood darkened. “We haven’t talked in a couple of days... but isn’t it awful about Booker?”
“The police contacted you, huh?”
“Came by the gallery first thing yesterday and asked about a million questions. How well did I know Booker? Did he have any enemies? Where was I that night? That sort of thing. Like you see detectives doing on TV.”
“One detective?”
Holly shook her head. “They were out in full force. Two uniformed officers and a big guy, kind of a no-nonsense type, who I assumed was in charge.”
“Detective Tidwell?”
“I guess that was his name.”
“Did the police tell you anything about the circumstances?” Theodosia asked.
“They explained to me that Booker had been shot at his cabin on Little Clam Island.” Holly coughed to clear the slight catch in her voice and added, “And that you and Drayton found him.”
“I wish we hadn’t.”
“Why did you go out there?” Holly grabbed Theodosia’s hand and squeezed it tight. “Was it for my benefit?”
“I wanted to tie everything up nice and neat,” Theodosia admitted. “Ask Booker straight out if he’d murdered Claxton. Look him in the eye and see if he was telling the truth.”
“Then Booker must not have been the killer,” Holly said in a tight voice. “Booker couldn’t have murdered Claxton if he’s dead now, too. There’s somebody else out there. But... who?”
“I don’t know,” Theodosia said.
“Now I’m worried about you,” Holly said with some insistence. “There are two dead people and I don’t want you to be the third. I don’t think you should mess around with this investigation anymore, it’s too dangerous.”
Drayton leaned in. “Exactly what I’ve been telling Theodosia.”
“You see?” Holly’s eyes implored Theodosia. “The police were very firm about me keeping my distance from their investigation. So you should, too.”
“I think you’re probably right,” Theodosia said.
“I’m glad someone’s come to their senses,” Drayton murmured. Then added, in a louder voice, “Would you like a cup of tea, Holly?”
“Yes, thank you,” Holly said. “But could you make it to go?”
“Irish breakfast work for you?” Drayton asked.
“Perfect,” Holly said.
Drayton poured tea into an indigo blue cup, snapped on a lid, and handed it to Holly. “I do hope your business starts to pick up again,” he said. He smiled at Holly, then flashed a knowing look at Theodosia.
“Fingers crossed,” Holly said as she accepted her cup of tea.
Theodosia knew this was her chance to talk to Holly and ask her about the money, the investment she’d received from her silent partner. So she walked Holly to the door and went outside with her so they could have a conversation in private.
“How is business at the gallery?” Theodosia asked.
“Not great. We’ve had a few nibbles here and there but no major sales.”
