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“Not yet, but I think it is safe to say that it is either at the Parkinson residence or in there.” Marcus nodded toward the cottage. “I have made a start on the lodging house, but all of the four guests are suspicious.”
“I need to search the cottage,” Joe sighed. “It is difficult to get in and our undetected, though, because the place is continually busy.”
“Well, see if there is a pattern to their behaviour. I can come and keep watch for you when you do decide it is safe enough to go in there.” Marcus threw him a dark look. “Just don’t go in there alone.”
“Do you think this landlady of yours is involved in any of this?” Joe asked thoughtfully.
The woman was downright beautiful, and it was easy to see how Marcus had become ensnared so quickly. However, Marcus was a good friend. Joe didn’t want to see him get hurt, so had to remind him that nobody could be judged as innocent right now. Not when they had so many questions, and seemingly no way of finding the answers.
“I don’t know.” It galled Marcus to have to say it. “I don’t think she has any clue what’s going on. At least, I hope not. She certainly doesn’t like Smithers. Although is aware that her brother is stealing. She has told him to stop. I have heard her. But Ben just doesn’t listen to her.”
“What is he taking?” Joe asked curiously.
“Pheasants, mainly,” he said. “But he is up to something more; I just know it.”
“Where is he now?”
“On his way to Retterton,” Marcus sighed.
Joe nodded. He had also followed the lad to the tavern there but had lost him. In all of his years with the Star Elite, he had never seen anybody who could melt into the crowds around him like Ben. It would be impressive; if it weren’t so darned annoying.
“I had better go after him,” Marcus sighed reluctantly.
“I will go this time,” Joe corrected. “I am sick of staring at this cottage. You stay here and keep watch for a change. Before either of us go anywhere, though, we need to discuss horses.”
Marcus groaned and sat back down. He was right. Without horses, they were effectively stuck in Smothey and weren’t in a position to chase anyone should they decide to leave. With a nod, they set about deciding where best to purchase new horses.
Jess let herself into the kitchen and knew straight away that something was wrong. The guests had left for the day. Marcus had gone to meet his friend, and Ben had slunk off to Retterton. Nobody was due back for hours yet, but there was a watchful air about the place that she had never felt before. It didn’t feel as empty as it should.
Usually, whenever she was alone, she revelled in the silence. This time, she was on edge.
Unless her imagination was running away with her, someone else was in the house. The small hairs on the back of her neck stood on end as she closed the door quietly behind her and crept further into the house. Her stomach clenched in fear when she noticed that the door to the scullery, which usually stood open, was now closed. It hadn’t been her. Nor would it have been Ben, because the room was always used for storage, and was in constant use during the daytime.
“Marcus?” she whispered, unsure if he had returned earlier than planned.
The silence was her answer.
You will have to deal with this situation yourself. The thought was simply terrifying.
Unfortunately, Jess could hardly stand outside and wait for Marcus or Ben to return. It was down to her.
She hurried over to the hearth and selected a poker. Holding it aloft, she tiptoed quietly to the main body of the house. She couldn’t bring herself to go into the scullery because she didn’t know what she might find. She could only hope that if someone was in there, they would make use of her not being in the kitchen to leave through the b
ack door.
The dining room and sitting rooms were both empty. She stared up the main staircase warily while she contemplated the wisdom of going up there alone. Without knowing who else was in the house, she had no idea what to do. She had never been in this situation before.
It was only when she was on her way back to the kitchen that she realised she had locked all of the doors before she had left. That meant whoever had let themselves in knew where the spare key was.
Glad for any excuse to get out of the house, Jess hurried outside to the small store beside the house. Lifting the third brick down beside the window, she uncharacteristically swore when she found the key missing.
“Ben,” she whispered, but then frowned.
Her brother had his own key and rarely needed to use the spare.
That led her to only one conclusion; someone else had used it.
She studied the house while she contemplated what to do. With no way of summoning help from she had to go back in there by herself, and face whatever she found. The alternative was to stay outside and freeze while she waited for someone to come back.
