the damp note.
Dear Keira,
Thank you for not murdering me in my sleep last night. That was very polite of you.
I’ve gone to town to make inquiries. Your situation might require some subtlety to keep the news away from unfriendly ears, so I’ll be discreet.
I asked a young gentleman named Mason Corr to visit you today. He is a medical student, and I’m pleased to say he has a much better bedside manner than our resident doctor. Best of all, he’s free. He may be able to give some answers regarding your memory.
Let yourself in—the door is unlocked. There’s leftover stew in the kitchen. I should be back early afternoon.
Kindly yours,
J. Adage
Keira tried the door. As promised, it opened without resistance. “Unbelievable,” she muttered, closing the door again and taking down the note. “Are you trying to get robbed?”
Blighty had to be a very trusting town. Or perhaps Adage was just an exceptionally trusting person.
The offer of stew was tempting, but she couldn’t stomach the idea of taking more of his food, especially not when she had money to buy her own. She didn’t know how much a pastor earned, but judging by the secondhand furniture, it wasn’t enough to hand out favors as freely as he seemed inclined to.
Keira slipped the note under the door, where casual passersby wouldn’t see it, then turned toward the driveway leading down to the clustered houses and shops in the distance. She didn’t want to admit how much the trip frightened her. They’re probably not going to hang around town if they’re still looking for you, she reasoned. And besides, a gunman is hardly likely to shoot at you in broad daylight in front of witnesses.
Unless they’re crazy. And let’s be honest, if one person wants to shoot another, there’s a good chance at least one of them is somewhat crazy. Fingers crossed it’s not me.
Keira walked as quickly as she could without breaking into a jog. She’d hoped to get out from under the trees and absorb some of the sun, but vast oaks lined the drive. They were filled with birds she couldn’t see, and the shrill chatter seemed to welcome the clear day.
The path meandered as it wove around a narrow stream and eventually turned toward town. Keira passed through a thick copse of saplings and found herself at the road, where a large, hand-painted sign nailed to a tree read BLIGHTY CHURCH & BLIGHTY CEMETERY.
The road continued to her right as it wound into the hills and worked its way toward the next town. To her left was Blighty’s main street, bordered by shops and home businesses. Keira whistled as she gazed over them.
Blighty had a heavy emphasis on old-world charm. Most of the buildings were stone and had thatched or shingle roofs, with tall, paned windows, like something she would expect to find in a Dickens novel. The shops all had hand-painted signs hung above them, and messy fern baskets were suspended from the eaves. Keira half expected the road to be cobble and had to look down to make sure it was still asphalt. Ahead, a large fountain marked the intersection of two roads, and beyond that, groups of houses grew outward from the town center. Morning was creeping toward noon, and the streets held a smattering of shoppers. Keira joined the flow and tried to blend in.
The closest shop was a narrow florist, conveniently close to the graveyard. Passing it felt like walking through a cloud of pollen. Keira stretched to look through the window at the bouquets filling the store. A short, pince-nez-wearing woman stood behind the counter, cutting ribbons. She squinted at Keira, one eyebrow raised. Keira ducked her head and kept moving.
They’ll just think I’m a tourist. A quaint town like this must have hundreds of sightseers come through each year.
Keira tried to keep her eyes moving over her environment without drawing attention to herself. She could feel the occasional curious glance cast her way, and it sent prickles crawling up her arms and made her palms sweat. She was starting to regret venturing into public so soon.
The town’s general store occupied one of the corners that bordered the central fountain. The shop needed a new coat of paint, but the door jingled cheerfully as she opened it. Inside seemed dim after walking through the sunlight, and Keira blinked as her eyes adjusted.
The store wasn’t especially large, but it was filled with a boggling jungle of products. Boxes were stacked up to the ceiling,