Read Online Acquainted With the Night (9781101546000) by Piper Maitland - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Piper Maitland
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exotic, dark-skinned woman delivered the forecast in an elegant British accent. The Balkans could expect rising temperatures and overcast skies, followed by a blast of Arctic air and snow.
Her stomach growled. She found a package of Jammie Dodgers in her bag and stuffed a biscuit into her mouth. Then she picked up Uncle Nigelâs letters and returned to the bed. The first envelope bore no address or postmark. Scrawled across the front, in his distinct, boxy handwriting, was Please Forward to Dr. J. Barrett.
25 October
Dear Dr. Barrett,
Quite by chance, I stumbled upon your article in the British Scientific Journal; I searched for companion articles but couldnât find one. Youâd simply vanished from academia. I might not have found you at all, but your name sounded familiar. Iâd known a John Barrett at Eton back in the early 1950s. His given name was John Fleming Dalgliesh Barrett from York. We had quite a bit in common, and not because our fathers were in the House of Lords.
We were incorrigible mischief makers. One time, we caused a ruckus at St. Georgeâs Chapel, and the Windsor guards came rushing down. We narrowly escaped. Another time we made false ID cards, took the train to Piccadilly Circus, and got positively sozzled. There are more tales, of course. What else could you expect from two teenaged softies? However, Iâm digressing. I was terribly saddened to hear of Sir Johnâs passing.
Once I made the connection, I traveled to York, to Dalgliesh Castle. Your stepmother, the Lady Patricia, wouldnât say if you were dead or alive. Considering the subject of your article, I decided she was protecting you.
In case you are alive and in hiding, please allow me to introduce myself. Iâm a professor of archaeology at Oxford, with a special interest in minority cultures during the antiquities. I apologize in advance for my boldness and for my lack of knowledge about your area of study; however, I was simply gobsmacked by your research. Moreover, I was consumed with unanswered questions.
Whilst itâs a rather big ask, I hope youâll contact me.
Â
Sincerely,
Nigel H. Clifford, Ph.D.
Norham Gardens, Oxford
Oxfordshire, U.K. OX2 6QD
Caro smoothed the paper with the flat of her hand. Jude was a Briton, just as sheâd suspected, and posh. His father had attended Eton and had known Uncle Nigel. Why had Judeâs stepmother refused to say if he was alive or dead?
She mulled over the words, hunting for subtext. Considering the subject of your article, I decided she was protecting you. What kind of article required protection?
A controversial one. She lifted the second letter. The envelope was addressed to Dr. J. Fleming in Lucerne, Switzerland.
9 November
Dear Jude,
I was a bit puzzled when I received your letter, as I didnât recognize the name âFleming.â Then I read your explanation regarding the pseudonym. For this reason, Iâm extremely honored that youâre willing to travel incognito to meet me. I applaud your bravery as Iâm sure this wasnât an easy decision. I also agree that we shouldnât speak on the phone.
I have many questions about your article, and only you can answer them. I will be leaving the country for a few weeksâjust a routine dig in Bulgariaâbut I shall return to Oxford on 28 November. Letâs have tea at my house on the afternoon of the 29th.
If you are hiring a car, Iâm right off the motorway. I do hate to be presumptuous, but perhaps you could give my niece a lift to Oxford? Caro lives in London, Flat 4, 32½ Bow Street. Itâs out of your way if youâre leaving from Heathrow. Iâll be happy to reimburse you (and Iâll rest easier knowing Caro is with you). During your visit to Oxford, you are welcome to lodge at my home. Thereâs plenty of room to kick about; however, if you are allergic to cats, be forewarned: one on the premises.
Looking forward to meeting
Her stomach growled. She found a package of Jammie Dodgers in her bag and stuffed a biscuit into her mouth. Then she picked up Uncle Nigelâs letters and returned to the bed. The first envelope bore no address or postmark. Scrawled across the front, in his distinct, boxy handwriting, was Please Forward to Dr. J. Barrett.
25 October
Dear Dr. Barrett,
Quite by chance, I stumbled upon your article in the British Scientific Journal; I searched for companion articles but couldnât find one. Youâd simply vanished from academia. I might not have found you at all, but your name sounded familiar. Iâd known a John Barrett at Eton back in the early 1950s. His given name was John Fleming Dalgliesh Barrett from York. We had quite a bit in common, and not because our fathers were in the House of Lords.
We were incorrigible mischief makers. One time, we caused a ruckus at St. Georgeâs Chapel, and the Windsor guards came rushing down. We narrowly escaped. Another time we made false ID cards, took the train to Piccadilly Circus, and got positively sozzled. There are more tales, of course. What else could you expect from two teenaged softies? However, Iâm digressing. I was terribly saddened to hear of Sir Johnâs passing.
Once I made the connection, I traveled to York, to Dalgliesh Castle. Your stepmother, the Lady Patricia, wouldnât say if you were dead or alive. Considering the subject of your article, I decided she was protecting you.
In case you are alive and in hiding, please allow me to introduce myself. Iâm a professor of archaeology at Oxford, with a special interest in minority cultures during the antiquities. I apologize in advance for my boldness and for my lack of knowledge about your area of study; however, I was simply gobsmacked by your research. Moreover, I was consumed with unanswered questions.
Whilst itâs a rather big ask, I hope youâll contact me.
Â
Sincerely,
Nigel H. Clifford, Ph.D.
Norham Gardens, Oxford
Oxfordshire, U.K. OX2 6QD
Caro smoothed the paper with the flat of her hand. Jude was a Briton, just as sheâd suspected, and posh. His father had attended Eton and had known Uncle Nigel. Why had Judeâs stepmother refused to say if he was alive or dead?
She mulled over the words, hunting for subtext. Considering the subject of your article, I decided she was protecting you. What kind of article required protection?
A controversial one. She lifted the second letter. The envelope was addressed to Dr. J. Fleming in Lucerne, Switzerland.
9 November
Dear Jude,
I was a bit puzzled when I received your letter, as I didnât recognize the name âFleming.â Then I read your explanation regarding the pseudonym. For this reason, Iâm extremely honored that youâre willing to travel incognito to meet me. I applaud your bravery as Iâm sure this wasnât an easy decision. I also agree that we shouldnât speak on the phone.
I have many questions about your article, and only you can answer them. I will be leaving the country for a few weeksâjust a routine dig in Bulgariaâbut I shall return to Oxford on 28 November. Letâs have tea at my house on the afternoon of the 29th.
If you are hiring a car, Iâm right off the motorway. I do hate to be presumptuous, but perhaps you could give my niece a lift to Oxford? Caro lives in London, Flat 4, 32½ Bow Street. Itâs out of your way if youâre leaving from Heathrow. Iâll be happy to reimburse you (and Iâll rest easier knowing Caro is with you). During your visit to Oxford, you are welcome to lodge at my home. Thereâs plenty of room to kick about; however, if you are allergic to cats, be forewarned: one on the premises.
Looking forward to meeting
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