Devonshire Scream (A Tea Shop Mystery #17)

“I happen to know one was purchased there two weeks ago.”


Theodosia stared at the rock-climbing hammer. It looked strong, agile, and serious. “So who’s the person you think purchased something like this?”

Tidwell pursed his lips. “You know I can’t divulge that information.”

Theodosia blew out a small puff of air. Mmn. He was sharing some information with her, but not everything.

Drayton suddenly appeared at their table. “I took the liberty of brewing a nice fresh pot of Assam tea,” he said. “Do I have any takers?”

“Thank you, yes,” Theodosia said.

“And we still have some cranberry cream scones left over from lunch, if anyone is interested,” Drayton said.

Tidwell’s expression turned hopeful. “Scones?” His nose twitched like a bunny rabbit.

“With Devonshire cream, of course,” Drayton said.

“By all means,” Tidwell said.

“I’ll bring your tea and treats out in a jiffy.” Drayton spun on his heels and hurried into the kitchen. Two minutes later he returned, unloading a teapot, a plate of scones and madeleines, plus bowls of Devonshire cream and strawberry jam. He took great pains to arrange Tidwell’s treats in a cluster, nearly spinning the detective into a joyful stroke.

“This is . . . too much,” Tidwell said. But Theodosia knew that what he really meant was Might there be seconds?

“Enjoy!” Drayton whipped away the empty tray and tucked it snugly under his arm. The resulting puff of wind sent Tidwell’s papers flying.

“Oh dear!” Theodosia said as she dove to collect the scatter of papers. Most had drifted gently beneath the table. A few had overturned in flight. As Tidwell reached for a scone, she clutched at the papers with the tips of her fingers. Gathering them up, she caught sight of the printout of the rock-climbing hammer. She flipped it over quickly and saw a name scrawled on back. Clement. Was that the name of the manufacturer? Or the person who purchased it? Never mind, she’d sort all that out later. She popped up like a manic gopher and tamped the papers back together into a stack. “Here you go—good as new.”

Tidwell was wielding his butter knife like a samurai with his prized sword, spreading gobs of Devonshire cream and jam onto his scone.

Good, Theodosia thought. He didn’t notice a thing. Now, if he’ll just eat and run, I can start my investigating.

? ? ?

But it wasn’t quite that easy. Nothing ever is. Because once Tidwell had said his good-byes and slipped out the front door, a few more customers arrived. And then Sabrina and Luke Andros came wandering in.

What?

Theodosia was a little stunned to see them in her tea shop. For one thing, she didn’t really know Sabrina all that well. She’d talked to her for only two minutes the night of the robbery. And she didn’t know Luke Andros at all, other than the fact that he owned Gold Coast Yachts and may have been the one talking on the boat last night.

But Drayton was chatting with them amiably and leading them to a table, so Theodosia figured she’d better make nice, too.

Sabrina waggled her fingers when she caught sight of Theodosia and quickly introduced her husband, Luke. She was dressed in tapered black slacks and a fashionable black jacket with gold trim. Luke, in a pink sweater, khaki slacks, and Top-Siders, looked like he’d just climbed down off a yacht. Which he probably had.

“I’m so sorry we missed your Duchess of Devonshire Tea,” Sabrina said to Theodosia. “But when I called for a reservation, I was told all the tickets had been sold.”

“So we came for afternoon tea anyway,” Luke said. “If there’s anything left.”

“We always have tea and scones available,” Drayton said. “But let me go and check . . .”

“. . . with the kitchen,” Theodosia finished. “Yes, why don’t you do that while I chat with these two?” She was dying to talk to them, dying to ask a few questions. But they were both animated and distracted, gazing around the tea room, taking everything in.

“Your décor feels so cozy,” Sabrina purred. “The pegged wooden floors, the stone fireplace, all the teacups and teapots arranged just so on shelves . . . I really love it.”

“Reminds me of a tea shop you’d find in the UK,” Luke said. “Maybe out in the Cotswolds.”

Sabrina bent forward. “Do you have any other themed teas on your calendar?”

“Actually, we’re having a Romanov Tea tomorrow and a Full Monty Tea on Friday.”

“The Romanov Tea,” Luke said. “Is it in honor of the Fabergé egg that’s coming to the Heritage Society?”

“I hadn’t planned it that way,” Theodosia said. “But I guess that’s how it worked out.”

“We can’t wait to see that Fabergé egg,” Sabrina said. “We’re big fans.”

“So you’ll be attending the opening?” Theodosia asked.

Luke patted his wife’s hand. “As new members, we wouldn’t miss it. Say, are these teas you’re having just for women?”

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