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She was in a large hallway with multiple rooms on either side. “This way,” came the reply.
She walked straight ahead where double doors opened into a large space with a cathedral ceiling. Part of the walls here were glass, others were shelves, filled with lots of books. In the middle of it all Mr. McNally sat in a huge chair, behind a desk with a computer, and yellow legal pad. He gave her a broad smile and pushed his small frame up and over to another more delicate table, with two place settings, and what looked like afternoon tea.
Piper glanced at her watch. “Aren’t we a bit early?”
He gave a serious smile. “Since, we’re both doing things today we shouldn’t, it seemed appropriate.”
Piper swallowed; her mouth dry. Was coming to speak to Mr. McNally really that serious?
She sat down in the chair he gestured to and tried to settle herself.
“This is all much more complicated than I thought it would be,” she said simply.
Mr. McNally lifted the teapot. “Tea?” he asked, and she nodded, even though it was a thing she rarely drank.
She looked around, taking in the precision of the carved wooden bookshelves, with little animal creatures etched all along them, the carefully shelved books and the earthy tones of the room. There was such a warm sensation in here, from the light streaming through the cathedral ceiling, to the ambience within the room itself. Mr. McNally poured the tea into beautiful blue-flowered china cups then pulled a light cloth that covered a three-stack of matching plates with sandwiches, scones, and cakes.
Bakery smells of fresh goods, strawberry, raspberry, and sweetness filled the air. He separated two plates, giving one to each of them. He pointed to a pair of silver tongs. “You first.”
Everything looked tempting. Her stomach gave a small growl, giving away how hungry she might actually be. Had she eaten this morning? No. There had been no time or thought to eat.
She picked up the tongs and selected a few of the sandwiches. She added some milk to her tea and took a sip. “So, can you tell me why I’m not allowed to see you?”
Mr. McNally’s face was serious. “Because you are currently undergoing tasks that might see you inherit part of an estate, I am responsible for. There could be an allegation that I’m helping you solve the clues.”
Piper shifted in her chair. “Sorry. I had no idea. I would never ask you to do that.”
“I know,” he said casually as he ignored the sandwiches and went straight for the cakes. He waited until he’d picked three, then set the tongs back down and looked Piper in the eye. “So, what did you want to talk to me about?”
Piper gave a gentle cough. Honesty was the best policy here. “I’m confused by this. Neither myself or Dawson really understand why Margaret Smith chose us over other friends or relatives. Then, last night, the ball. I don’t really understand why we were there.”
“Ah.” Mr. McNally had cut one of his cakes into four pieces while she’d been talking, and put his knife back down.
He looked thoughtful for a moment then folded his hands in front of him. “What did you learn last night?”
“I learned that I was likely the poorest person in the room. I learned that some anonymous person knows my dress size and shoe size without asking, and I learned that Dawson seems much more comfortable in a room full of strangers than I do.” She thought she’d finished but then something else bubbled into her head. “Oh, and I learned that St. Eligius has a heated pond for their koi.”
Mr. McNally gave a minimal shake of his head. He looked disappointed and she realized she might have sounded petty. That had not been her intention.
“No, Ms. Davis,” he said with a hint of exasperation in his voice. “What did you learn about your benefactor—Margaret Smith.”
“Oh.” She could feel heat rushing into her cheeks. Of course. Of course, that was what he meant. “Well, I learned that Margaret was a good person. She helped found the Children’s Charity and has been involved in multiple projects across the city.”
“Such as?”
Piper’s skin chilled a little. Was this like a test? If it was, she only had herself to blame. What if she failed? Or maybe he was just seeing if she’d paid attention last night. “The libraries, the children’s health clinics, the after-school clubs, day care, and supported learning.”
“Do you feel as if you know Margaret Smith better now?”
Piper thought for a moment. “Well, I suppose I do. I had no idea she did any of that.”
Mr. McNally gave a nod. “And that’s entirely why you were there.”
“For that?”
“Why else?”
Piper was getting antsy now. “I’m not sure. It just seemed like I was missing something while I was there. Like part of one of the clues. Or something really important.”
