The Ellsworth Case (A Markham Sisters Cozy Mystery Novella Book 5) Read Online Free PDF Page B

“Even if it is an antique, I can’t
imagine it’s that valuable.”
    Janet shrugged.   “I suppose we could take it to William
and ask him what it’s worth,” she said.
    Joan nodded.   “We needed an excuse to see him anyway,”
she reminded her sister.   “You
couldn’t have found that at a better time.”
    “I’ll just go and find a nice big empty box
to put it in,” Janet said, thoughtfully.   “And an old bed sheet or something to wrap around it.   I’d hate for it to get damaged while
we’re moving it around.”
    “Perhaps we should leave the decanters
here,” Joan suggested.
    Janet tried to lift them out of the cabinet,
but couldn’t.   They were firmly
locked into place.   “I don’t suppose
I missed the key?” she asked.
    Joan picked up the torch and carefully
checked the inside of the hidden compartment.   “I don’t see a key,” she said after a
moment.
    Janet was wiggling the stopper on the top of
one of the decanters.   “It seems
like I should be able to get this out of here,” she said after a moment.   “But I’m worried I might break
something.”
    “Maybe we should invite William to come here
and take a look,” Joan suggested.   “That way we can be sure of having a private conversation with him as
well.   You never know who might be
in the shop with him if we just stop by.”
    Both women immediately thought of Karen
Holmes.   While she seemed nice
enough, neither sister was eager to get to know her better.
    “I’ll finish the cleaning in here and then
ring William and see if he can stop by this evening,” Janet told Joan.   “I know you’ll be busy with dinner.”
    Joan smiled.   “That sounds like a hint,” she
said.  
    “It is nearly five,” Janet said after
glancing at the clock on the desk.   “That’s probably why I’m so hungry.”
    “I’ll get started on dinner, then,” Joan
told her.   “Just don’t forget to
ring William.   Maybe you should do
that before you finish the cleaning.”
    Janet grinned.   Joan was always the first to insist that
Janet clear up her messes before doing other things.   Clearly, Joan really wanted a chance to
talk to William.   As Joan headed
back to the kitchen, Janet found William’s business card with the number for
the store on it.
    “WTC Antiques,” a perky female voice said
when the call was answered.
    “Oh, good afternoon,” Janet said, frowning
at the phone.   Surely William wasn’t
having Karen answer the store’s phone?   “I was hoping to speak to William,” she said after an awkward pause.
    “He’s just with a customer.   I’ll see if he can spare a moment.   Who shall I say is ringing?”
    Janet scowled at the receiver.   “It’s Janet Markham,” she replied
tightly.
    “Just hold on for a moment,” the voice
replied.  
    Janet heard the woman put the phone down on
the table.   The
loud bang was probably unintentional , she tried to
tell herself .   A few moments
later, she heard footsteps.
    “Ah, Janet, what can I do for you?”
William’s voice boomed down the line.
    “William, Joan and I have found a tantalus and we were hoping you might have time to stop by
and take a look.   We were just
wondering what it might be worth.   We didn’t want to try to bring it to you, as the decanters seem quite
fragile.”
    “I’d be delighted to stop and take a look,”
William replied.   “Did you have a
date in mind?”
    “We were hoping you might be free this
evening,” Janet said.   “But if not,
whenever you are available.”
    “I can certainly do this evening,” William
told her.   “I’ll stop by around half
seven, if that suits you.”
    “That would be just about perfect,” Janet
answered.   “We’ll be done with
dinner and ready for tea and biscuits about then.”
    “Excellent.   I’ll see you then.”
    Janet put down the phone and then sighed
deeply.   Back to cleaning, then, she
thought to herself.   It didn’t
really take long for her to