In Like Flynn (Molly Murphy Mysteries, #4)

It was gratifying to know that I bore a family resemblance. I got to my feet. “I am indeed, sir, and I'm pleased to make your acquaintance.”


“Would you listen to her talk,” Barney said, turning to the two men with him. “Straight from the old country. Isn't she a delight?”

Barney grasped my hand and shook itfirmly. “But let’s have none of this formality. We're family here and you're as welcome as the flowers in May to dear old Adare.” He laughed at his own joke. “I hope youll be happy here, and more to the point, I hope you can bring Theresa out of her doldrums.”

“I'm sure she will,” Theresa said. “I've already fallen in love with her completely, my dear. If all your cousins are this delightful, then I might decide to undertake a trip to Ireland some time.”

“We live very simply compared to this,” I said. “Not a great house among us.”

“Wealth isn't everything, Molly,” Theresa said. “Money does not buy happiness, as Barney and I know only too well.”

“But I always say if you're going to be miserable anyway, it’s better to berichand miserable rather than poor and miserable.” The man to Barney’s right chuckled at his own wisdom. He had a loud, booming voice which matched his large person, his round, red face, piggy eyes and thinning sandy hair. Not the most attractive of men and probably somewhat older than Barney—although the latter had surprised me with the number of lines on his face. I had expected a young man, but his face was definitely careworn when he wasn't smiling. Who could blame him, having gone through what he had endured?

The large man came up to me and held out a beefy hand. “I'm Joseph Rimes, Miss Gaffney. Barney’s adviser, strategist and right-hand man. I trust youll enjoy your stay here.”

“Thank you, Mr. Rimes. I hope so indeed.” I nodded my head demurely, then glanced at the third member of the party. This had to be the pallid secretary Desmond O'Mara. Again not the most attractive of men. He had light hair, a pale face and the lightest of bulging eyes, giving the impression of a fish on a slab, and he wasn't regarding me with welcome in those codfish eyes.

Barney saw me looking at him. “Oh, and this is Desmond,” he said, tossing him off with a wave of his hand. “My secretary.”

“Miss Gaffney.” The man inclined his head. I did likewise.

“So have you boys finished your hard work for the day?” Belinda asked.

“We came out for a breather,” Barney said. “Have we missed Eileen?”

“Already made her appearance and gone again,” Belinda said, smiling up at her brother-in-law in what might have been a rather flirtatious manner. I wondered if Theresa had noticed, then I suspected she had as she said, in a flat voice, “If you want tea, I think you'll find it stewed.”

“No matter. I only wanted to see if our new guest had arrived and to say hello to my daughter,” Barney said. “Was she in good form?”

“She says the most outlandishly funny things without meaning to,” Belinda replied. “No sense of propriety at all.”

“Definitely a chip off the old block, eh, Barney?” Rimes slapped him on the back.

Theresa frowned. “I'll ask Cook to brew another pot if you'd like.” She rose to her feet.

Barney waved her aside. “Not necessary, my dear. I think well bring out the whiskey decanter instead, to celebrate a good day’s work.”

“I don't quite understand why you need to work in summer,” Cousin Clara said. “Is the Senate not in recess until fall?”

“You understand correctly, Cousin Clara, but there is a small matter of an election next year,” Joseph Rimes said. “Barney is up for reelection. The campaign strategy has to start now.”

“But surely everyone loves Barney,” Belinda said. “His reelection will be only a formality?”

“One hopes that will be true,” Barney said. “But you never know with politics. This new fellow they're putting up against me—he’s old money and will have the power of all those Vanwhosits backing him.”

“And more charisma than the last opponent next door.” Rimes nodded to his left.

“Watch what you're saying, Joe,” Theresa scolded. “We still have them as neighbors, however our politics may differ.”

“You think my voice is loud enough to carry that far?” Joseph Rimes asked, a grin on his large red face. “Or do they have spies, snooping in the shrubbery?”

This provoked general laughter.

“Aren't we supposed to be suffering through an evening with them some time soon?” Barney asked.

“We are dining there tomorrow night. I told you about it at breakfast. Honestly, Barney, you are hopeless. You never listen to a word I say.” Theresa frowned again. Tomorrow night, remember, so don't go making other plans or finding boring political people you just have to talk to.” For a frail dove, she could be quite forceful if she wanted to, I noted.