Death Takes a Holiday (12 page)

He looked at her doubtfully.
“Are you sure it wasn’t on the glass from one of the fish.”

“No,” she said with a touch of anger, “it was from a pitcher. Lik
e the one’s found in each cabin.” She pointed behind her to the empty dresser where she expected a crystal pitcher to sit. “Or maybe not each cabin,” she amended, “but just like the one in your cabin.”

She walked over to the
dresser. The pitcher wasn’t the only thing missing. “Did you happen to see that framed nursery rhyme in your room today?”

Kyle shook his head. “I was a bit busy. Why do you ask?”

She quickly explained Foster’s behavior on the platform earlier in the day and his penchant for nursery rhyme characters.

“
And his name is Dr. Foster?” Kyle asked suspiciously.

“Yeah, why?”

Kyle didn’t answer, instead he asked, “What rhyme was in the frame?”

“
This is the House That Jack Built
. I don’t remember what it was about.”

“Oh, sure you do,
” Kyle said, “it’s a
Mother Goose
classic. ‘This is the dog that chased the cat that killed the rat that ate the cheese that lay in the house that Jack built,’” he recited from memory. “Or something close to that. I just remember that it goes on and on and on. All of the events are interconnected.”

Grace looked around the room again
, but didn’t see a framed nursery rhyme anywhere. “Why would your room be the only one with a nursery rhyme? Why would it have a nursery rhyme in the first place? And why was Henry so quick to get rid of it?”

“
Are you sure there was a nursery rhyme?” Steve asked.

“Yes,” Grace said with
as much patience as she possessed at the moment, “of course, I’m sure.”

“Okay,” Steve said
gently, “I’m going to hand you a card.”

Kyle quickly grabbed Steve’s hand, yanking the business card away. “Not a good time, Steve,” he whispered harshly.

“If not now, when?” he whispered back.

Grace turned to stand in front of Steve.
“Are you sure you don’t know Doctor Foster? He’s got brown hair, brown eyes—”

“I’ve never heard of the guy,” he insisted.

Kyle sat down on the bed. “Foster’s probably an alias.” He looked over at Steve. “Would you just tell us what is going on? How do you know these people?”

With exaggerated patience, Steve said,
“The older man is my old boss. Asa Wellington. I’m sure you’ve heard of him before,” Steve said waving his hand dismissively.

Grace and Kyle gave him a blank stare.

“Oh, come on. Asa . . . Wellington,” he said slowly. “
Wellington.
”

“Steve, it doesn’t matter how many ways you say his name, we don’t know who he is,” Grace said patiently.

He looked at them both in horror. “How could you not know him?” He turned to Kyle. “I can understand her not knowing . . .”

“Thank you,” Grace said snidely.

“But you’re in the business. Didn’t you read my biography?”

“You mean your eight hundred page manifesto?” Kyle asked. “I’m still working on it.”

Steve shook his head sadly. “Asa Wellington is the head of the Wellington Detective Agency. He’s a living legend.”

“I thought he was a professor?”
Grace asked.

“Well, he was
when he was younger. He started out as a professor of psychiatry at Harvard. He comes from a long line of academics, diplomats, and statesmen. He can even trace his line all the way back to the Mayflower.”

Unimpressed, Kyle shrugged.
“So can I.”

Steve looked at Kyle doubtfully. “Your father’s Russian.”

“Yeah, but my mother was American.”

“Oh. Well, anyway, Mr.
Wellington is absolutely brilliant. He moved to Britain and taught at Oxford for a few years in the eighties. That’s where he picked up the detective bug. He ended up helping Scotland Yard with a couple of cases. They were so impressed they urged him to work for them full time. In addition to the Yard, he’s worked for the FBI, CIA, and Interpol. The man’s a modern day Sherlock Holmes. He moved here twenty years ago and set up his own detective agency. You remember the Kaplan murders twentyfive years ago?”

He looked at their blank expressions. “Come on Grace
, surely you remember.”

“Twentyfive years ago?” Grace asked. “I would have been three.”

“It happened in our town,” he said in exasperation. “The story was turned into a TV movie of the week.”

A sudden memory of sitting on the floor in front of the TV watching her favorite actor at that time strut about her
hometown came back to Grace in a rush. “Wait, that was about
him
?”

“Yep. I just wish he . . .
,” Steve trailed off.

“What?”
Kyle asked.

“Well, he retired
a year ago. He just gives lectures now. It’s a shame. He should be out there catching the bad guys. He’s still young enough.”

“Did he
investigate Victor Kirby’s death?” Grace asked.

Steve hesitated. “
I’m not sure. I would assume so.”

“
You weren’t involved?” Grace asked.

Looking down at his feet, Steve said, “Nah, there was this really important case in Europe that Wellington wanted me on.”

“Well, you have to be involved somehow or you wouldn’t be here.” At Steve’s shrug, Grace decided to try a different approach. “How did your agency become involved with Kirby’s?”

“
Victor Kirby was an old friend of Mr. Wellington. He was having some issues and asked Mr. Wellington to investigate.”

“What sort of issues?”
Grace asked.

“It was a comb
ination personal and business, doll face.”

“Thanks, that’s helpful, p
ookie. Could you be a little more specific?”

Steve ran a hand through his buzz cut. He looked down at his feet.
“Someone was embezzling from the company.”

When he didn’t elaborate, Kyle asked, “What happened?”

“Nothing. I found out who stole the money and gave my report to Victor Kirby and that was that,” Steve said, rising to his feet.

“Wait just a second,” Grace said, standing in front of the door. “Which one of these people would want you dead?”

“No one wants me dead,
doll,” Steve said patiently.

“
Really, how about Meredith?” Grace asked. “She says you accused her of arson last year.”

“
Meredith?” He looked at her sharply. “Merry Mallory?”

“
Yeah, that’s her. She’s the one who took your order tonight.”

He looked thoughtfully at her.
“That’s Merry?” He tilted his head to the side. “Boy has she changed in the last year.”

“Who’s Merry?”

Steve looked down at the floor. “Don’t worry, sugar, she’s not an old girlfriend.”

“I’m not worried,
pumpkin, and frankly, I wouldn’t care if she was your wife. Felicity said something about someone dragging her into a burning building. Is that how Meredith’s involved? Did you accuse her of setting the building on fire?”

Kyle shook his head.
“Tracy Kirby seemed pretty sure it was some guy named Jack.”

“Who can remember? It was a crazy time.” Steve
rubbed his hand across his jaw. “Merry’s here too, huh? That’s kind of surprising.” A worried look crossed his face.

“Who is she?” Grace asked.

“Lucas Kirby’s ex-fiancée.” Steve slapped his knee and stood up. “Well, this has been fun, but I don’t want to spend the rest of the night explaining to this Doctor Foster why I’m hanging out in his room. I’ve got better things to do with my time. Sara and I are going back to her room—”

“Aren’t you a little curious as to wh
y everyone’s been brought here?” Kyle asked. “And on the anniversary of this Victor Kirby’s death? I have to admit, I wasn’t that worried at first, but after what happened with the fish, I think Grace is right.”

“Someone obviously brought everyone back together for a reason, Steve,
” Grace said. “I doubt it was to just ring in the New Year.”

Steve
’s brow furrowed. “Look, whatever is going on . . . I’m sure Mr. Wellington will handle it. Let’s just try to relax and enjoy the trip.”

“Steve, how can we
relax?” Grace asked. “You’re in danger.”

“
Look, baby, when you’re a private detective, this sorta comes with the territory. Do you have any idea how many threats I’ve gotten since I became a PI?”

“Knowing you as well as I do,
sugar, I’m betting over a thousand.”

“Five. Five threats and I’m still alive.”
Steve walked over to the mirror. Picking up a comb, he ran it through his military crew-cut. Apparently liking what he saw, he smiled happily. “No one would dare come up against me. All they can do is make empty threats. Don’t you worry, honeybunch, I’m going to be alive and well come New Year’s Day.” He turned away from his reflection and walked to the door. “If you’re lucky, I might even give you a New Year’s kiss.”

Grace took two steps toward
him, seriously considering giving him his sixth death threat when she felt Kyle’s restraining hand on her wrist.

Steve clapped his hands together. “Hot chocol
ate in the lounge car in five minutes. Who’s with me? Sara says they’ll have music, games and desserts,” he cajoled. He looked over at Grace. “Shouldn’t you be up there getting ready, sweetie?”

Grace reluctantly
walked toward the door. “Probably, poppet.”

CHAPTER TEN

Grace unfolded the
board game and laid it flat on the game table. She laid out the game pieces one by one, wishing she could play with everyone. To her surprise, the lounge car was full. Or at least, almost full.

Doctor Foster
still hadn’t made an appearance and Grace felt the knot in her stomach grow tighter.

She looked
up at Robert and Lucas Kirby standing by the barrister’s bookcase.

“Why are we here?
” Lucas asked. “There’s nothing to do.”

Robert lifted the glass door up and
pulled out a book. “Because Tracy thought the train ride would be romantic and exciting. You didn’t have to come, you know.”

“Tracy begged me to come.”

“Why?”

Lucas jerked the book out of his brother’s hands. “If I wasn’t here who would she have to talk
to? Besides she had an extra ticket.” He briefly glanced at the cover before tossing it on the nearest chair. “Boring.” He pulled out a few more books which landed at his feet in a pile. “Aren’t there any sci-fi books?”

Felicity appeared at the
ir side. She thrust a book into his hand. “Here try this one. It’ll be released tomorrow morning.”

Lucas turned it over and looked at the back cover. “When Timothy Blanchard is
bludgeoned to death on his wedding night, his bride, the beautiful and sexy Felicia Grayheart—” He suddenly stopped reading. “For Heaven’s sake Felicity, for once I would like to read a book of yours that isn’t a thinly veiled biography of your life. When are you going to kill off Felicia, by the way? After seventeen books, I think it’s quite clear Felicia is secretly killing these people and pinning it on others.”

Tracy, who had been trying to straighten the shelves, threw him a dirty look.

“What?” he asked defensively. “I’m just saying it would be a nice surprise if she turns out to be the killer.” He handed the book back to his ex-step mother. “I mean, how many times can Felicia accidentally wake up next to a dead body before someone starts to suspect?”

“Hmm. You’d be surprised how often that happens,” Felicity said
, sliding the book on the shelf.

Tracy
picked up one of the books Lucas dropped and placed it back on the shelf next to Felicity’s novel.

Robert pursed his lips. Reaching into the bookcase, he pulled out a children’s book of nursery rhymes and handed it to his brother. “I think this is more your reading level.”

“Ha. Ha,” Lucas said dropping the book at his feet.

“What is wrong with you?
” Meredith shouted somewhere from behind her, causing Grace to jump. “Were you raised in a cave? Pick up those books right now and put them back.”

To Grace’s surprise
, Lucas immediately bent over and began picking up the books without complaint. Meredith stood a few feet behind him, her hands on her hips, supervising his every move. Only when the last book was put away and the glass door was lowered, did Meredith walk away.

Just then Lucas’
cell phone rang. He looked at the face of the phone. “About time,” he said, motioning for Robert and Tracy to follow him toward the other side of the car.

O
ut of the corner of her eye, Grace noticed Kyle pick up the board game cover and flash it at her with a grin.

All the Murderers.
The last game Grace and Kyle had worked on at the Straker Toy Company.

Once again she wished she was playing instead of standing off to the side with Meredith.
That should be fun, she thought ruefully.

Kyle left Sara and Steve to stand next to her. He picked up the deck of cards and began shuffling. “Pick a card.”

Grace grinned as she reached for the first card.

Kyle laughed as he moved the deck. “No, not that one.”

Meredith, sensing someone was about to have fun suddenly appeared at their side to put a stop to it. “I can’t believe anyone would actually play board games this late at night.”

Kyle glanced at his watch. “It’s only
eight o’clock.”

“I don’t know
,” Grace said, “it looks like it could be fun.”

Meredith
picked up the severed head token. “This is disgusting. What kind of sick mind would come up with something like this?”

Grace gently elbowed Kyle when he opened his mouth. “Don’t have
a clue. Definitely someone with a problem.”

Kyle grinned. “So, can you two play?”

Meredith snorted. “Of course not. We’re just the hired hands. Our feelings obviously don’t matter.”

Grace couldn’t help
, but point out that Meredith didn’t want to play anyway.

“That’s not the point,” Meredith said quickly. “
We should have a choice.”

Grace was about to respond that she could quit, buy a ticket, and then have the freedom to refuse to play, when she felt someone roughly tap her on the shoulder.

Robert Kirby stood behind her. “Hey, just so you know, we’ve just spoken to our lawyer about this.”

Grace looked at Kyle and back. “Okay.”

“This is ridiculous. I don’t know what you and your little friend here,” he said, pointing at Meredith, “have planned, but you’re not going to get away with this.”

Meredith turned
a crimson shade of red. She slammed the cover on the table, turned and stalked off to the corner to better glare at Robert from a safe distance.

“Get away with what, Mr. Kirby?” Grace asked calmly.

“You know what. We could have been seriously hurt by that glass.”

“
Grace didn’t have anything to do with it,” Kyle said carefully.

“I’m not saying she did.” His eyes flicked briefly to her bandage and back up. “But your employers are responsible for ensuring the safety of their passengers and to tell you the truth, I don’t feel too safe right now.”

“Frankly, I don’t blame you for being worried. Your stepmother—”

“Oh, not you
, too,” Robert said with a groan. “This has nothing to do with her and her fantasies. This is about the dinner you served us tonight.”

Lucas rus
hed forward. “He says he’ll meet us at the hotel. How much do you think we’ll get?”

“You two weren’t even hurt. It was my tab
le that ended up with the glass,” Kyle pointed out.

“It d
oesn’t matter. I was in fear for my life,” Lucas said gleefully, the thought of a potential payout trumping whatever actual fear he might of had for his safety.

“Me
, too!” Felicity said, handing Grace a copy of her book. “I signed it for you too, dear.”

“Thank you,
” Grace said, turning the book over in her hand. Two barely covered torsos wrapped together with only a silken purple sheet separating them served as the cover to Felicity’s mystery book. Grace peered at the model’s hands and the multitude of rings she wore then looked at Felicity’s hands suspiciously. She looked over at Parker and wondered if he had been the male model as well.

Felicity catching her eye merely beamed. She
held out her hand to Parker who slapped another book into it. Wrapping one hand around Kyle’s arm, she presented the book to him. “Here you go, handsome. Read the inscription.”

Kyle opened the book and immediately blushed. He shut it before Grace could see
what Felicity had written. Clearing his voice, he said, “Thank you.”

Felicity smiled brightly and joined Parker on one of the couches. “Stop pestering Grace, Robert. You know she had nothing to do with it. It was just one more threat on my life. Just like that message this morning—”

“What are you talking about, Felicity?” Robert asked.

“Someone threatened to slit my throat and throw my body from the train.” Felicity shuddered dramatically. “It was so creepy.”

“Yeah?” Lucas asked. “Where’s the message?”

“It’s gone now
, but it was written in blood red—”

“Pink,” Parker corrected.

“Blood pink lipstick on the bathroom wind—.”

“Mirror,” Parker said quickly.

Playing with the necklace at her throat, Felicity nodded. “That’s right. The bathroom mirror.”

Robert rolled his eyes.

“I found one, too,” Grace said, describing the message she found that morning. “I think we should all be careful.”

Robert
gave Grace a patronizing look. “Why would someone threaten you?”

“
I don’t think it was meant for me.” Grace said quickly. “Has anyone seen Doctor Foster, yet?”

They all gave her a blank s
tare. She was certain that name should have registered with someone. She quickly described what he looked like.

Lucas and Tracy exchanged looks. They looked back at Grace
, but didn’t say anything.

Sara s
itting at the game table looked up all of the sudden. “I think I saw the man you’re speaking of.” She looked at Robert curiously. “If I’m not mistaken, I saw you two arguing in the back of the sleeping car when I boarded the train.”

Robert shook his head slightly. “I don’t know—”

Sara lifted an eyebrow. “You hit him and knocked him down.”

Robert
cleared his throat, but still didn’t say anything.

Sara continued. “Then you dragged him into one of the rooms and told him to pack his bags. I also heard you tell him that you’d kill him if he didn’t leave.”

Tracy gripped her husband’s arm. “I thought you said that you hadn’t seen Jack for months.”

“I haven’t.”

“Don’t lie to me, Robert,” Tracy said angrily. “She just described Jack, right down to the mole above his eye. Why didn’t you tell me he was on this train?”

Robert glared at
Grace before looking down at his wife. “I just didn’t want you to worry.”

“Who is he?”
Grace asked. “How do you know him?”

Lucas shook his head angrily. “Why didn’t you say something, Robbie? You know how dangerous he is. You know what he tried to do to Tracy. You should have warned us.”

Robert glanced at his brother nervously. “I took care of it, Lucas.” He turned to Grace. “His name isn’t Doctor Foster. It’s Jack. Jack Horner.”

Kyle’s head snapped up. “Jack Horner? Really?”

Grace glanced at her friend, wondering how he knew that name. Before she had a chance to ask, Tracy wheeled around on her husband. “I can’t believe you lied to me.”

“I didn’
t want to upset you, Tracy,” Robert said quickly.

“Have you seen
Jack since this morning?” Grace asked.

“No,”
Robert licked his lips. “I told him that if he didn’t get off the train that I’d throw him off. He’s probably back home by now.”

Lucas turned on
Robert. His eyes narrowed to slits. “What was Jack doing here?” he asked.

“I didn’t
invite him, if that’s what you’re asking.”

“I didn’t
realize he’d been released,” Tracy said softly.

Robert
pursed his lips before reluctantly adding, “They let him go right before Christmas.”

“How do you know that?”
Lucas asked suspiciously.

“
Jack told me this morning.”

Lucas shook his head in disgust.
“You should have said something.”

Tracy laid a hand on her husband’s arm.
“What did he want?”

“
To prove to us that he was innocent.”

Tracy looked at her husband thoughtfully. “Maybe he was.”

“No. Jack set that fire,” Robert replied emphatically.

“See,” Feli
city said looking at Parker. “Jack was right, Robert was there that night.”

“No, I wasn’t!” Robert said.

“Then how can you be so certain Jack set the fire?” Felicity asked reasonably.

“Jack
told me that he called you yesterday, Felicity, and that you two had a nice long conversation. You can drop the act. You knew we were all going to be here. You probably encouraged him . . . all so you can sell a few more books.”

Felicity
calmly examined her nails. “Well, why don’t we ask him?”

“
We can’t,” Lucas said. “Robbie told him to get off the train.”

“Nonsense
,” Felicity said. “Jack didn’t leave. In fact, I spoke to him thirty minutes ago.”

“Wonderful,
” Robert said. “At least he’s smart enough to stay in his room. Why don’t you go join him and leave the rest of us alone?”

“He’s not going to hide in his room all night,” Felicity said. “Jack promised to
meet me in the dining room just before midnight.”

“Well, I’m not staying up for him.”
Robert reached around and gripped his wife’s waist. “Come on, Tracy. Let’s get that hot chocolate you just had to have tonight.”