Murder on Charles Street - Leighann Dobbs Page 0,3
and emerged with a pill smaller than his pinky fingernail. It was a dull metal, the kind of pill meant to pass through. Katherine wondered how much cheese she would have to wrap it in in order to convince Emma to eat it. She’d been trying to cajole her dog into eating all day. Nevertheless, she took the pill in her palm without comment.
“Yes? What about her?”
“Do you happen to know if she’s looking for more work?” Even uttering the question without first consulting Harriet made her feel disloyal. After all, Harriet had worked so hard to keep them in good spirits and clean clothes since they had moved out on their own. In return, Harriet got her pick of the rooms, including the largest typically belonging to the housekeeper. Katherine didn’t want to offend her friend and longtime lady’s maid, but she also wouldn’t mind a hot meal she didn’t want to throw in the cesspool. Not that she would ever tell Harriet to her face that the maid couldn’t cook. Katherine had to be more and more creative in order to smuggle food into the house that she was willing to eat. Emma usually ate the food she disliked.
Had that been what had made her sick?
Dr. Gammon harrumphed and shook his head. “I doubt she’s looking for work. Mrs. Campbell has been with me for many years and is getting on in years herself. I’m half afraid she won’t be able to come as many times per week as she does.” He shook his head, seeming preoccupied for a moment before he returned that shrewd gaze on her. “Feed that pill to Emma and bring it back to me once it’s passed through. No cost, if you do.”
Katherine didn’t relish the thought of searching through her dog’s vomit or stool, but as long as it brought an improvement, she and Harriet were willing to do anything. Emma was dear to them both.
“Thank you. I’m sorry to bother you so late.”
He shook his head and ushered her down the corridor back to the kitchen, where she’d arrived. “Think nothing of it. And please, do come back and tell me how she’s getting on.”
“I will,” Katherine promised. In the kitchen, she turned to the door then paused. “You don’t think Mrs. Campbell would be willing to cook and bring by meals, do you?”
Dr. Gammon laughed. “Tell you what, my dear. I’ll ask her when she’s over again in two days.”
Katherine felt not a hint of guilt over that. “Thank you. And you will rest tonight?”
He raised an eyebrow. “With the way you fuss over Emma, I ought to be the one worrying about you. I’ll be fine, I promise you. In fact…” He reached for a clean plate resting on a rag on the counter. “I believe I’ll help myself to the snack Mrs. Campbell left and then run along to bed. Goodnight, Lady Katherine. I’m sure Emma will be as right as ninepence come the morning.”
Katherine braced herself against the gust of February wind as she opened the door. Tossing her cloak over the dog in her arms to shield them better, she left her neighbor and friend behind. However, the detective in her couldn’t help but wonder which mistake in his past was worrying him and how she could help.
Chapter Two
Emma’s enthusiastic yips pierced the fog of Katherine’s sleep. Groaning, she rolled over in bed and shoved her face under the pillow. Even muffled, her dog’s excitement needled into her ears. What time is it?
Emma barked again, and Katherine’s sleepless night returned to her in vivid clarity. She’d stayed up with her dog until Emma vomited. Even then, she’d feared the pug wasn’t cured. After all that activity, Emma had simply curled up and gone to sleep. With a sinking feeling, Katherine had done the same. But if Emma was barking…
Katherine bolted up in bed. She threw off the coverlet, sliding her feet onto the chilly wooden floorboards. She hadn’t purchased bed curtains yet, so the only thing separating her from where Emma had climbed onto the trunk beneath the windowsill was the pink rug she had taken from her father’s residence. It was the only rug in the house, as Katherine was far too preoccupied to go shopping for furnishings, let alone decorations. Her bare toes curled against the floorboards and soft rug as she raced to her dog.
As she approached, Emma peered over her shoulder with a wagging tail. Her eyes were bright, and she seemed