In Like Flynn (Molly Murphy Mysteries, #4)

Now you've got all the women in hysterics, even Cousin Molly, who seemed most level-headed to me.”


“We're letting the soup get cold, Theo,” Mrs. Van Gelder said. “Our two young adventurers have returned unscathed and are now champing at the bit for food, I'm sure. May I present Captain Cathers and his friend Mr. Hartley.”

Captain Cathers had a pleasant, very English sort of face with light hair and rather protruding teeth. Then my gaze moved to the other man. For a moment the room swung again and I had to put a hand onto the back of a chair to steady myself. It couldn't be possible. The last time I had seen Justin Hartley, he was lying dead in a pool of blood on my kitchen floor. I hadn't meant to kill him, God’s truth. But I'd kicked out with all my might when he tried to force me back onto the kitchen table and he'd hit his head on the comer of our cast iron stove. I suppose I panicked then and fled. I was sure I'd get no sympathy from the courts for killing the landowner’s son. And so I had come, through a series of lucky breaks, to America, where I had almost forgotten that my adventure had started with killing another human being.

I glanced at the man again. He was pale enough to be a ghost, with dark, hollow eyes. Now dressed in evening attire, he looked like the model of a Romantic poet. Inside my corset my heart was thumping alarmingly.

“And gentlemen, may I present our guests, Senator and Mrs. Flynn and their party, Miss Butler, Miss Tompkins and Miss Gaffney.”

The two men bowed politely I saw Justin look at me and then his gaze moved on to Belinda. I was still holding my breath as I was escorted to table. Mr. Van Gelder took the head of the table with Theresa on one side of him and Miss Emily on the other. Roland was placed beside Miss Emily and I next to him with Clara on my other side. Justin Hartley had been put at the foot of the table, on Mrs. Van Gelder’s left. He seemed more interested in getting to the bowl of soup in his place than in looking at me.

I sat, still holding my breath and trying not to look in his direction.

We ate soup. A maid was in attendance to clear away dirty dishes, but the Van Gelders didn't seem to have a butler. The food wasn't up to the quality of Adare, either, which was good, because I couldn't eat a thing. My gaze kept moving toward Justin, who was currently tucking into his food with relish. How could he be alive? How could he not know me? Then, of course, it hit me. It wasn't Justin at all. It was a family member who closely resembled him. I remembered how alike two of my brothers were, so much so that one had impersonated the other, for a fee, in catechism class. I knew Justin had no brothers, but a cousin, maybe?

The talk was all about the day’s adventure.

They went down the river by canoe, wasn't that brave of them?” Mrs. Van Gelder exclaimed.

There was no bravery involved, I assure you, dear lady,” Captain Cathers said in his lazy English drawl. “We went with the current until it petered out in the middle of the Tappan Zee, then we paddled to the side, caught the ferry and came back. A pleasant little ride, but not the least dangerous.”

“So what do you think of our American countryside, Mr. Hartley?” Van Gelder asked.

“Quite amazing, what I can see of it,” he answered. “Of course, as I told you, I had a severe riding accident which has robbed me of part of my vision.”

“Oh yes, how terrible for you,” Mrs. Van Gelder said.

“Not at all. I am lucky to be alive.”

A wave of relief swept through me. Justin was alive. I hadn't killed him after all. And more miraculous still his vision had been damaged. He didn't recognize me. I was safe. I ventured a mouthful of roast beef.

After dinner we went into the drawing room where the carpet had been rolled up and the French doors were open onto the terrace.

“Young people always have to have dancing, don't they?” Mrs. Van Gelder asked. “I regret that we don't have anything like a pianola to accompany us, so we must take turns in playing. Now, who is familiar with a Strauss waltz?”

“I had better play,” Cousin Clara moved toward the piano, “since I will not be taking part in the dancing.” And she struck up a lively tune in three quarter time. Roland and Captain Cathers both made a beeline for Belinda. Roland got there first and so Captain Cathers was left with me.

“I must apologize in advance for any stepped-upon toes, Miss Gaffney,” he said. “I am more skilled at hunting than dancing.”

“I'm not much of a dancer myself,” I replied.

He looked at me in astonishment. 'You're Irish,” he exclaimed.

“Yes, I'm the Senator’s cousin, come to stay with him.”

“What a coincidence. My friend Hartley is also from Ireland. Which part are you from?”

Limerick,” I said swiftly “The Senator’s whole family lives around that city.”

“And how do you like America so far?” he asked.

“Delightful. I'm having such a lovely time and my cousin is making me so welcome.”

“I'm glad to hear it.”