dead man was to meet ‘X’ at a party hosted by Sir Nigel Randolf.”
I let out a low whistle as Uncle Mick might have done. Sir Nigel Randolf was a bigwig, a newspaper tycoon who was as famous for his volatile temper as he was for the strong opinions he ran in his paper. He’d loudly voiced his support for German appeasement before the war and had been facing backlash ever since with all the good humor of a rabid bulldog.
“So, with our man dead, both the murderer and the contact are likely invited to the party.”
“It would seem so,” he said. “I’ve obtained a list of who was invited and we’ve narrowed it down to a few key players.”
“But how does that help us? Surely we can’t just barge into a party?”
“I’ve secured an invitation,” he said.
Of course, he had. I didn’t bother to ask how he had managed that. I was beginning to realize that Major Ramsey let very little stand in his way.
There was, however, one aspect of all of this that wasn’t entirely clear to me.
“Where do I come in?”
“There is the possibility that Sir Nigel is in on the scheme himself.”
He was watching me closely for a reaction, but there was little to see. I didn’t find it hard to believe that a prewar German sympathizer might retain some of those feelings even after the fighting had started.
The next bit was more of a surprise. “I’d like you to open his safe during the party,” he said.
“A tall order, isn’t it?” I asked, trying not to show him how alarming I found the suggestion. Sneaking into an empty house was one thing; breaking into a safe during the middle of a party at a rich man’s mansion was something else altogether.
“A job worthy of someone of your caliber,” the major said, and I didn’t miss the challenge inherent in his turning my words back on me. Fair enough.
I gave a short nod.
“Then you’re willing to help?”
It might have been wise to think it over for a moment or two, but I’d already known what I was getting into when I came here. “Of course,” I said. “But how am I supposed to get into the house without being seen in the midst of a big event like this? Do you plan to open a window for me to slip into or something?”
Those blue-lavender eyes of his locked onto mine. “Nothing so clandestine, Miss McDonnell. You’ll walk in like all the other guests, as you’ll be accompanying me to the party as my date.”
CHAPTER TEN
I almost laughed at the thought of it, but I was fairly sure that wasn’t a reaction he’d appreciate. I took a moment to collect myself, as it seemed things were spiraling rapidly out of control.
That was why he had asked to speak to me alone, then. He wanted to make sure I would accompany him before we heard Uncle Mick’s protests. It was a clever bit of strategy, I had to admit.
“Will anyone you know be at this party?” I asked slowly.
“Yes,” he replied.
“Then it’s not going to work,” I said lightly. “No one who knows you will believe for a moment you’d date a girl like me.”
He studied me. “Why do you say that?”
I raised an eyebrow. “Isn’t it obvious?”
“There’s nothing overtly objectionable about you,” he said.
“You oughtn’t say such sweet things to me, Major Ramsey,” I replied tartly. “It’s liable to go to my head.”
A hint of a smile crossed his lips. “Do you suppose you can manage to keep that sharp tongue of yours in check for the duration of the evening?”
I shrugged, knowing my eyes still held mischief. “I can generally manage to accomplish what I set out to do.”
“Yes,” he said. “I imagine that you do. Which is why I don’t think you’ll have any difficulty fitting in at this party, no matter what your background.”
I stiffened a bit at this. “I know how to mix with swells, all right,” I told him. “I’ve had a proper education, and this won’t be the first time I’ve mingled with a high society set. You needn’t worry that I won’t know which forks and glasses to use.”
“I didn’t mean to insinuate any such thing,” he said. “I only meant that I’ve noticed there’s a certain gentility to you that would not be out of place among the upper classes.”
I felt sure there was an insult in there somewhere, but I couldn’t exactly put my finger on it. Nevertheless,