So Much For Buckingham: The Camilla Randall Mysteries #5 Read Online Free PDF

dropped the tablet on the coffee table, feeling as if it had seared the skin from my hands.
    But even in the dark, jerky video, I could tell exactly who was torturing those kittens.
    "You saw the tattoo?" Marva's voice was dark and subdued.
    I managed to nod.
    "Yeah," Marva said. "That's the clincher. I don't know how it could be anybody else. He was so proud of that Stratocaster tat. Even when he was one more grunt in the Sandbox, it let people know he was a rock and roll dude."
    Marva handed me the snifter of cognac.
    "You see why I brought this," she said.
    I grabbed the snifter and downed the contents in one gulp.

Chapter 8—Plantagenet
    ––––––––
    P lant endured Customs and the long shuttle bus ride into London in a haze of sleep deprivation and mixed emotions: rage at Glen, hurt from Silas, and anxiety for Camilla.
    He tried to phone Camilla several times from the bus, but the calls went to voicemail. She hadn't replied to his text. Of course, Camilla didn't like to text—she only had an old-fashioned flip phone without a QWERTY keyboard. It must have something to do with her channeling her "inner great aunt"—something she said she did when she wrote her etiquette columns.
    He looked at his watch, which was still set to California time—2:30 A.M.
    But his phone said it was 10:30 A.M. here, which was probably why he was felt so sleepy.
    He planned on a power nap when he got to his hotel. He hoped his room would be quiet.
    The hotel was a huge modern place near Westminster Bridge that he'd chosen mostly for proximity to theaters. It was far from the traditional London bed and breakfast he would have preferred, but as the bus pulled up in front of the big glass entryway, he was too exhausted to care.
    At least the staff gave traditional British service. The helpful young man at the desk—Alfred—was straight out of Downton Abbey. He had a toothy smile and a slightly obsequious manner that would have been perfect for a second footman. He seemed familiar with the Old Vic and complemented Plant on his choice of seats. He recommended a trendy bistro nearby, said he could make a reservation, and even offered to sell the extra theater ticket for him.
    Maybe this trip would be a good one after all. All Plant needed was a little sleep.
    But when he got settled into his room, he realized his exhaustion was no match for the turmoil in his brain. He lay on the hotel bed feeling as if small animals with pointy claws were crawling around under his skin.
    If he'd had any idea of the emotional mess he'd be, he certainly wouldn't have booked tickets for Richard III for the evening of the day they were to arrive. But the only tickets the Old Vic had for the rest of the week had been for nosebleed seats on Wednesday. And that was the only day he'd been able to book two seats together for Billy Elliott .
    Two seats together. That had mattered so much. 
    After a few hours of useless tossing and turning he made himself get up and shower. He might as well get an early start and walk to the restaurant.
    He put on his dress shirt. The only cufflinks he'd brought were a pair Silas had given him last year for his birthday—high end jewelry from the store owned by their friends George and Enrique. He'd had them engrave a design, the symbol of Libra: the astrological sign he and Silas shared. A year ago, it had seemed such a thoughtful gift.
    Now Plant almost changed his shirt rather than wear them.
    But he really did need the dress shirt if he was going to wear his tux. And since he'd brought the thing, he damned well should wear it.
    He put on his raincoat and headed out through the London drizzle toward the bistro where he had the reservation.
    The helpful Alfred had even provided Plant with a voucher for a 25% discount.
    It was an elegant place, but at this point, dinner for one seemed nothing but sad.
    The Scottish salmon was probably excellent, but he could hardly taste it. He checked his phone several times for messages