Proof of Murder (Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery #4) - Lauren Elliott Page 0,15
objection to her entry today. She looked up at the towering chimneys on Hill Road House, surrounded by the early-morning crystal-blue skies. She smiled and marched up the pathway that was now framed on either side by a freshly mowed lawn.
Addie noted the addition of a sign pointing to the rear of the house, announcing the direction of the weekend yard sale. Blake’s crew had been busy this morning, and she half hoped the inside was equally as prepared. Between the flashing images of whatever it was she’d seen at the top of the stairway intertwined with the unsettling words of warning from Serena and Paige, she had slept little and fretfully. The last thing she wanted to do was set up roomfuls of folding chairs, but a promise was a promise, and she mustered her inner depths for a smile she knew lurked somewhere in there.
The entry hall spilled over with the delightful scents of fresh-cut flowers. Two tall lamps, positioned on either end of a long, marble-topped table on the sidewall, shed a comforting light that had been absent the day before. The whole atmosphere of the house had changed. It felt warm and alive. She glanced to the top stair landing, apparition free, and smiled at the recollection of her previous day’s foolishness.
She spotted a man carrying folding chairs under both his arms, heading down the corridor toward the back of the house, and inwardly groaned. Then Blake’s voice cracked from the study behind her, and a young woman darted out—her face as white as a sheet as she sprinted past Addie into the parlor across the hall.
“I don’t care what you think you saw!” Blake cried out, close on the woman’s heels. “You can’t go around telling people. It’ll scare off—” At the sight of Addie, he stopped, his face lighting up.
“Good morning, my dear.” He lightly kissed her cheek.
“What was that all about?”
“Oh, it’s nothing. A few of the staff have reported seeing things in the hallways and at the top of the stairs. I think it’s just a combination of being overtired and letting their nerves get the best of them. You know they hear so many of the rumors about the house around town.”
“Yes, the power of suggestion can be a strong one.” Addie’s gaze flicked toward the second floor, a shiver snaking across her shoulders.
“Are you ready to tackle some folding chairs?”
“That’s what I’m here for. Any help you need, just point me in that direction.”
“I was only teasing about the chairs. I think—” His forehead furrowed at the sound of crashing chairs, “I hope my staff has most of that under control now.”
“I’m here. At least let me help you with something.”
“Well.” He stroked his chin and scanned the foyer. “There are always those little last-minute details to look after.”
“Anything, just tell me what to do.”
“Okay, if you’re willing, why don’t you do an inspection of the dining room and kitchen? I’ll do the same in the study and living room, and then we can meet up at the library to see how Charlotte and Robert are making out in there. She insisted on setting that room up herself and said they had everything arranged just so. To quote her exact words—I don’t want your minions messing with my system.”
“Sounds great.” Addie shrugged. “And since I’m acquainted with how she has the books categorized, I can give them a hand if they’re not quite done.”
“There’s no excuse if they’re not. After all, you completed all the last-minute appraisals yesterday, and she and Robert stayed late finishing up the paperwork. Since we haven’t seen either of them this morning and their cars are here, I expect they either came in very early or stayed the night to finish the setup and then fell asleep. Make sure you knock loudly. The room has to be ready to go in just over an hour.”
“Okay, see you soon.” Addie ambled to the dining room. She hoped that when the time came, she wouldn’t have to wake Charlotte, who was sharp-tongued enough when awake. Addie couldn’t imagine what she’d be like when roused from sleep.
Addie stepped through the double-wide pocket sliding doors. This room was one she had missed on her tour yesterday and was surprised to see the massiveness of it. This house was similar in style to hers but had all the square footage hers lacked. On the other hand, how often have I used my formal dining room? She could probably count on