sort of, get it. During these weeks of mounting frustration, reading about Sherlock Holmes every night had become a source of comfort.
I did wish I’d had more books during the harshest days of my childhood. It would have felt like a doorway into another world—maybe a world where I was safe or cared for or understood the chaos of our constant movement. Instead, I had to work. Always. During the limited schooling I managed to grasp onto in my younger years, I gobbled up books and stories in the classroom like a greedy kid on Christmas morning.
“There is a sense of wonder being here, tourist trap or not,” I admitted. “It makes me feel like a child again, excited by the smallest things.”
A nod from Eudora. “Over the course of my life, I’ve been called batty more times than I can count. And I am a bit batty. I’m the president of a literary organization, and I have four cats. Such a stereotype.” She tittered like a bird. “But the Sherlock Society has given me life in this cold and brutal world. This community has sheltered me from storms. Do you know what it’s like to connect with other people over a subject so unique?”
No, I did not.
“Absolutely,” I lied. “I’m an office assistant back home, in New York City, and it wasn’t easy for me to save the vacation time or the cash I needed. Yet my soul called me here.” I placed a hand above my heart and held her gaze, which softened at my gesture. “And to think I’m now sitting with the president of the oldest Sherlock Holmes society in the entire world…”
I trailed off, correctly guessing that Eudora had a tender ego that loved a good stroke.
“You make an old woman quite happy, Devon,” she said. “I’m a normal person, like you. A fan who was willing to step into a leadership role when a vacuum appeared.”
I tilted my head. “A vacuum?”
“Our current, well former, president Bernard Allerton is on a very long sabbatical. He made the tough decision to step down while away, allowing me to step into his role.”
Her smile was all wolf—granny was gone.
“You seem better suited to it,” I said, adding a wink. “Always nice to see a woman in charge.”
“Always,” she agreed. “I’m very close with Bernard and there are no hard feelings. When he returns—” She coughed a little here. “Excuse me, when he returns, we’ll see which leader our members prefer.”
I didn’t blink. “And when is Bernard coming back?”
Eudora touched her ear. “We shall see, my dear. He’s been vague with his return plans.”
“Oh,” I said, tapping my mug with my fingernail. “Where is he, by the way? I know he’s a little bit famous around these parts. I was surprised his whereabouts are unknown.”
I held my breath, testing the waters, seeing how much she knew and what she was willing to share.
“They’re not unknown. They’re a secret,” she said. “Only a chosen few know where he is.” Her smile turned smug. I wasn’t sure if this was bullshit or not, but she believed it. Which made Eudora Green rapidly change from source to suspect.
“You know where he is, don’t you?” I teased.
She mimed a lock at her lips, a key she tossed past her shoulder. I was aware of how tightly I held the china cup—how badly I wanted to throw the tea in her face and demand she tell me where the fuck this man was.
“Will you tell him about the Doyle papers being auctioned?” I asked, studying her reaction.
“Yes, I’ll get in touch with him,” she said. “I’m fully in charge and the key decision-maker regardless of where he is. And between you and me, we won’t get those papers. They’re not even up for auction yet, and they’re basically gone.”
I took another sip. “Bernard will be disappointed, sounds like.”
“We’ll all be,” she said quickly. “My job is to lead us through rough waters and smooth sailing alike. That’s the job of a leader.”
I cranked up my smile—while internally remembering every story I’d heard these weeks about her nasty temper and vengeful spirit. “Do you miss Bernard? I heard the two of you were especially close. Which means you must be special to attract the attention of such a famous man.”
Bernard Allerton wasn’t famous like a movie star, but he was extremely well-known in the world of academics and librarians, the fields of antiquities and history, and even archaeology. His reputation had a far-reaching impact.