20 20LIAM MOORE PAYNE’S OFFICE OVERLOOKED BOSTON COMmon. Since leaving his former brokerage house and opening his own investment firm, he had been overwhelmingly busy. The prestigious clients he had brought with him demanded and received his meticulous personal attention, earning him their complete confidence.
He had not wanted to phone Maggie too early, but when he did call, at 11:00 A.M., he was disappointed not to reach her. After that he had his secretary try her every hour, but it was nearly four o’clock when he finally heard the welcome news that Ms. Holloway was on the phone.
“Maggie, at last,” he began, then stopped. “Is that a kettle I hear whistling?”
“Yes, hold on a minute, Liam. I was just fixing a cup of tea.”
When she picked up the receiver again, he said, “I was afraid you might have made up your mind to go home. I wouldn’t blame you for being nervous in that house.”
“I’m careful about locking up,” Maggie told him, then added almost without pause, “Liam, I’m glad you called. I’ve got to ask you something. Yesterday, after you brought my bags here, did you have a discussion with Earl about me?”
Liam’s eyebrows raised. “As a matter of fact, I didn’t. What makes you think I did?”
She told him about Earl’s sudden appearance at the kitchen door.
“You mean he was just going to check the lock without even letting you know? You’re kidding.”
“No, I’m not. And I don’t mind saying that he really frightened me. I was shaky enough as it was about being alone here, and then to have him just show up that way . . . Plus, he started quoting something about sorrow like joy leaping from mind to mind. It was weird.”
“That’s one of his favorite quotes. I don’t think I’ve ever heard him give a lecture when he hasn’t included it. It always gives me the creeps, too.” Liam paused, then sighed. “Maggie, Earl is my cousin and I’m fond of him, but he is somewhat odd, and there’s no question that he’s obsessed with the subject of death. Do you want me to speak to him about that little visit to you?”
“No. I don’t think so. But I’m going to have a locksmith put dead bolts on the doors.”
“I’m selfish enough to hope that means you’ll be staying in Newport for a while.”
“At least the two weeks I had initially planned.”
“I’ll be down on Friday. Will you have dinner with me?”
“I’d like that.”
“Maggie, get that locksmith in today, will you?”
“All right. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
Liam replaced the receiver slowly. How much should he tell Maggie about Earl, he wondered. He didn’t want to overdo warning her, but still . . .
Clearly it was something he would have to think over.