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I WAS IN the library beside the window, battling with myself as Edwina tried to comfort a very shaken but relieved Fiona and Bob. They’d come to the manor after Derek had debriefed them around midnight and an hour later, they were still nursing hot tea.
“We were lucky Sophie was there,” Fiona said for the hundredth time and nodded to Bob who nodded back for the hundredth time.
“I don’t know what we would have done,” Bob said back in the same repetition. “Imagine what the kids would have done. My mother would be beside herself.”
Fiona nodded back.
Edwina smiled at them like she wasn’t considering recording it and playing it for them to save energy. “You’re safe here. You can go back home in the morning.”
Fiona blinked a few times, then burst into tears.
Bob hugged her, trembling as much as her.
“I’m sorry.” She fanned herself as if that would dry her tears. “It’s just . . . with everything . . .”
“I know,” Bob cooed to her.
“No.” Fiona met his eyes. “It’s just . . . I realised this is home.” She sniffed. “I miss home but I can’t stay.”
Bob frowned. “Lady Sophie said you could come home.” He brushed the hair from her eyes then took off her glasses and cleaned them for her. “If there’s room, we could find some space in the local school for the children.”
Fiona peered up at him. “Do you mean that?”
Bob shrugged. “We used to live in a nice quiet town but it’s surrounded by houses now.” He smiled. “Much nicer place to live.”
Edwina beamed. “I will go and inform Sophie.” She clapped her hands, restraint gone.
“Only if she’ll let me do something useful.” Fiona flicked her hand through the air. “Frank will be gone awhile and I want to help.”
Bob nodded like he wasn’t uprooting his entire life but then that was Bob, as long as Fiona was happy, he was—you know when you get the urge to hug someone?
“Bob, if you will assist me, I can plan the logistics before presenting it to Lady Haye,” Edwina said like she’d forgotten this was her nephew-in-law and she was on duty.
Bob grinned. “Lead the way.” He followed her out on shaking legs.
I turned back to the window.
“You have that disconnected look in your eyes again,” Fiona whispered from behind me.
“Yeah.” I placed my hand to the cool glass.
“You always do after cases. You look so lonely.” Fiona was sniffing again.
I sighed, walked over, and perched on the table. “I was hired as a PI to find out the truth and I have.” I smiled at her and took her hands: like ice. I cupped my right one around them in a bid to help. “I’m no head of security. If I was, I’d fire myself. Do you realise how many times someone has broken in since I’ve been here? Let alone the murders and the fact that I even let in Henry and locked out the police.”
“Hey, none of us knew Henry was alive. If he was, I’d have saved you the effort and pointed Ruth and Trin his way.” She smiled up at me. “And I think you’re fond of it here, and you love Sophie.”
“Of course I do but there’s nothing for me to do here. They need someone who can secure the place far better and with all the mess with the accountant . . . she doesn’t need to be paying me huge amounts.” I looked around the library. “If I stay, she’ll try and pay me.”
Fiona nodded.
“Then there’s the fact the woman who carried her baby just so happens to be unpacking . . . Best I make way.” Which, let me tell you, was worse than handing in my warrant card. I tapped the table before I blubbered and headed to the door. “Easier if I do this quickly.”
I heard Fiona sniff but she knew as well as I did, I’d done what I came to the manor to do. Time to leave gracefully.