Page 39 of Holmes Is Missing
“What?” asked Paul.
“Living here,” said Holmes. “In the place where your mother died.”
Paul smiled and shrugged. “That’s why I bought it,” he said. “To feel close to her.” He leaned forward in his chair. “Would you like to see where it happened? I know that’s why you’re here.”
Holmes looked up. “If it wouldn’t trouble you…”
“Not at all,” said Paul. “Follow me.”
He led the way up the narrow set of stairs to the bathroom on the top floor. When they reached the landing, Paul stopped. Holmes could hear splashing water and the sound of a woman singing in a high-pitched voice. He could smell lavender and lemon in the air.
“Dammit!” said Paul. “I think Irene is giving the girls a bath.”
“In that case, a peek would be inappropriate,” said Holmes. “Another time.”
They walked back downstairs to the living room. Holmes took his place on the sofa again. Paul leaned against the bookshelves.
“Where were you that night?” asked Holmes.
Paul stared at the floor for a moment, then looked up again. “At a friend’s house down the street. I was thirteen.”
“And your father…?”
“Gone,” said Paul. “Years before. Left us some money but not much else.”
“So your mother was alone in the house?”
Paul nodded. “She loved her baths,” he said. “Took one every night before bed to help her sleep. The coroner thought she’d had a little too much wine that evening. Accidental drowning, he ruled it, with alcohol as a contributing factor.”
“But you think it was murder.”
“I’m sure of it,” said Paul. “The first of many.”
“How did you and your mother get along?” asked Holmes.
Paul smiled. “I can see where you’re headed, Sherlock. And I don’t blame you for thinking it. After all, you’re a great detective. But I was just a kid. And she was my mother. We all love our mothers, don’t we?”
CHAPTER45
THE LATE BRUNCHat the office the next morning featured Virginia’s latest baking experiment: maple blueberry scones. Poe took his first bite. Incredible.
“These are amazing, Virginia!” he called out.
“Enjoy!” came Virginia’s cheery reply from her desk, with her massive dog guarding her workspace.
Poe looked across the table at Holmes. “Virginia said you made a visit to the Lower East Side yesterday.” Holmes brushed a few scone crumbs from his chin.
“St. Michael’s?” asked Marple from the other side of the table.
“No,” said Holmes. “Just buying a watch.” He pulled the expensive antique out of his pocket and laid it on the table. “See?”
Poe leaned forward to examine the timepiece. “Perfect,” he said. “You’ll make a great railroad conductor.” His cell phone buzzed in his pocket. He grabbed for it and checked the screen.
Finally!It was Helene.
She hadn’t responded to his phone calls or texts for forty-eight hours—not since they’d parted at the clinic.
The message was terse.BATTERY PK ESPLANADE. 30 MINS.