Read Online Rose McQuinn 7 - Deadly Legacy by Alanna Knight - Free Book Online
Authors: Alanna Knight
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reveal the truth about the Duddingston murder . I said only, 'If you want to steal a march on the chief inspector, then have a private word with Amy Dodd, her next-door neighbour and long-term friend. They've lived in and out of each other's houses for years.'
And I went about preparing the meal trying to pretend I had accepted Jack's ruling. My mind was already racing ahead making plans for the immediate future.
As we ate together, I said, 'I intend returning to Lochandor, seeing John Lawers--'
'Even if you get the door slammed in your face again?'
'Even if he throws the package into the fire this time. I have been paid to deliver a client's dying wish. And this time, I will see Meg.'
Jack smiled, 'Fair enough, Rose. That's my girl.' And taking my hand across the table, 'That's what makes me love you.'
As we prepared for bed later, he said, 'Sorry I've sounded so uncaring. I've got a lot on my mind, just now. What with one thing and another, I think you understand - about Meg. Not knowing if she's really my child is gnawing away at me.'
I looked at him. The mother had gone and he would never know the truth. But for the child's sake, the innocent in all this, I hoped his fears were unfounded as he added, 'I've reached the stage where I am almost afraid to meet her, Rose. It was different when she was just a baby but now - what if she doesn't know me, or even like me? That is why it is so important that you see her now, take her a birthday present, explain that I promise to come and see her in a week or two.'
Lacking any recent news of Meg, I could well understand his anxiety. He had my sympathy. Three-year-old Meg would regard the Pringlesses as her real parents and Jack would be a stranger.
CHAPTER NINE
I decided to leave immediately. My plan was to appeal once again to the irascible John Lawers, hoping that, influenced by Mary Lawers' tragic end, he would not be so dismissive this time. I might even learn from him some tenuous family link.
If he decided to put the legacy on the fire, then I must insist that it was opened first as it might contain vital evidence relating to his relative's death - or murder.
If this failed and he still refused, the only alternative was to open the package myself. I was unwilling - it would be like reading a private diary - but if by so doing I could unravel the mystery and steal a march on Chief Inspector Gray, all the better. Especially as, if I felt magnanimous, Jack could take all the credit, claim the idea was his own.
First, to Tarnbrae to see Meg. This time I must make a determined effort to track down the Pringlesses, praying that they were at home. The tattie howking was fairly local, a daily occupation from which they would return each evening.
After a visit to Jenners' toy emporium for another doll for Meg, en route to the station I met a familiar figure - Sister Clare from the convent at Newington, with a group of excited small girls. She greeted me cheerfully. 'We are off to Princes Street Gardens to gather chestnuts and leaves for our Harvest Festival fair. I do hope to see you there, my dear.'
I promised to do so and we parted with mutual good wishes.
After a mercifully uneventful journey, at Perth station I seized a carriage for Tarnbrae, which excited interest from a more than usually talkative driver, rare in Edinburgh where they tend toward the taciturn. He regarded my lack of golf knowledge as a serious shortcoming.
Informed that Tarnbrae was famous, I soon discovered the reason for his particular interest - he presumed I was heading for the tournament. Did I have a ticket? If not, he could procure one for me, at only a fraction more than the asking price at the gate, with the solemn warning that to his certain knowledge they had been sold out days ago. He was clearly disappointed at my refusal and I guessed that this was a little lucrative sideline during such events.
Paying my fare, I opted out of the drive up to the clubhouse and was put down at the
And I went about preparing the meal trying to pretend I had accepted Jack's ruling. My mind was already racing ahead making plans for the immediate future.
As we ate together, I said, 'I intend returning to Lochandor, seeing John Lawers--'
'Even if you get the door slammed in your face again?'
'Even if he throws the package into the fire this time. I have been paid to deliver a client's dying wish. And this time, I will see Meg.'
Jack smiled, 'Fair enough, Rose. That's my girl.' And taking my hand across the table, 'That's what makes me love you.'
As we prepared for bed later, he said, 'Sorry I've sounded so uncaring. I've got a lot on my mind, just now. What with one thing and another, I think you understand - about Meg. Not knowing if she's really my child is gnawing away at me.'
I looked at him. The mother had gone and he would never know the truth. But for the child's sake, the innocent in all this, I hoped his fears were unfounded as he added, 'I've reached the stage where I am almost afraid to meet her, Rose. It was different when she was just a baby but now - what if she doesn't know me, or even like me? That is why it is so important that you see her now, take her a birthday present, explain that I promise to come and see her in a week or two.'
Lacking any recent news of Meg, I could well understand his anxiety. He had my sympathy. Three-year-old Meg would regard the Pringlesses as her real parents and Jack would be a stranger.
CHAPTER NINE
I decided to leave immediately. My plan was to appeal once again to the irascible John Lawers, hoping that, influenced by Mary Lawers' tragic end, he would not be so dismissive this time. I might even learn from him some tenuous family link.
If he decided to put the legacy on the fire, then I must insist that it was opened first as it might contain vital evidence relating to his relative's death - or murder.
If this failed and he still refused, the only alternative was to open the package myself. I was unwilling - it would be like reading a private diary - but if by so doing I could unravel the mystery and steal a march on Chief Inspector Gray, all the better. Especially as, if I felt magnanimous, Jack could take all the credit, claim the idea was his own.
First, to Tarnbrae to see Meg. This time I must make a determined effort to track down the Pringlesses, praying that they were at home. The tattie howking was fairly local, a daily occupation from which they would return each evening.
After a visit to Jenners' toy emporium for another doll for Meg, en route to the station I met a familiar figure - Sister Clare from the convent at Newington, with a group of excited small girls. She greeted me cheerfully. 'We are off to Princes Street Gardens to gather chestnuts and leaves for our Harvest Festival fair. I do hope to see you there, my dear.'
I promised to do so and we parted with mutual good wishes.
After a mercifully uneventful journey, at Perth station I seized a carriage for Tarnbrae, which excited interest from a more than usually talkative driver, rare in Edinburgh where they tend toward the taciturn. He regarded my lack of golf knowledge as a serious shortcoming.
Informed that Tarnbrae was famous, I soon discovered the reason for his particular interest - he presumed I was heading for the tournament. Did I have a ticket? If not, he could procure one for me, at only a fraction more than the asking price at the gate, with the solemn warning that to his certain knowledge they had been sold out days ago. He was clearly disappointed at my refusal and I guessed that this was a little lucrative sideline during such events.
Paying my fare, I opted out of the drive up to the clubhouse and was put down at the
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