Free The Bennett Case (A Markham Sisters Cozy Mystery Book 2) by Diana Xarissa Page B

  “I’m happier just keeping
to myself,” he said.
    Janet was
trying to think of something else to discuss when the door to the kitchen swung
open and Michael entered with several plates full of food.   He put one down in the front of Janet
and then served Edward and Leonard before returning the kitchen.   Only a moment later he was back with
plates for himself and Joan.   Joan
followed with tea for everyone.
    “I hope you
don’t mind.   It was easier to plate
everything in the kitchen,” Joan explained as she took her seat.   No one objected.
    For several
minutes the room was mostly silent as everyone enjoyed the delicious pies.   Joan had added salad to each plate as
well, and Janet noticed that Edward was the only man who ate his.  
    As everyone
finished eating, Michael insisted that Joan remain seated while he cleared away
the dirty dishes.   He was back with
a plate of biscuits a moment later.   Janet tried to make conversation again as everyone sipped tea and nibbled
biscuits.
    “That was very
good,” she told her sister.   “And
your lemon biscuits are the perfect final course.”
    “Thank you,”
Joan replied.
    “Everything
was wonderful,” Michael said, beaming.   He patted Joan’s hand.   “I’ll
take you somewhere for a meal to thank you properly one day soon.”
    “We’ll see,”
Joan said, pulling her hand away.
    Michael
frowned.   “Just as soon as Leonard
has gone, we’ll go to your favourite place,” he said
firmly.
    “Thanks,”
Leonard muttered.
    Michael shook
his head.   “You know what I meant.”
    “I did, and
I’m sorry if I’m in the way,” Leonard replied.   “You know things are, well, difficult,
right now.   I’m sure I won’t have to
hide up here forever, though.   Just
a few more days, I hope.”
    Michael
nodded.   “You’re welcome for as long
as you need to stay,” he told his friend.
    “Ta,” Leonard
said before he piled another six biscuits on his plate.
    “Joan, I hope
I’m welcome a little bit longer, as well,” Edward said now, with a smile.   “My plans changed rather suddenly and
I’d like to stay a few more nights.”
    “Of course you
can,” Joan said.   “You’re more than
welcome.”
    An awkward
silence followed Joan’s pronouncement until Janet couldn’t take it any more.
    “I’ll just get
started on the washing up,” she announced, getting to her feet.   “No, you visit with our guests,” she
told her sister.   “You’ve done all
the hard work so far today.”
    “And I’ve done
nothing but eat,” Edward said with a chuckle.   “I’ll give you a hand,” he told Janet.
    Janet frowned
to herself as she carried her biscuit plate into the kitchen.   She was trying to avoid Edward.
    In the
kitchen, the pair soon had the dishwasher loaded up and ready to go once the
final pudding plates had been added.  
    “I wonder what
or who Leonard is hiding from,” Edward remarked as Janet began hand-washing the
pie tins.
    “What do you
mean?”
    “He said
something about not hiding up here forever.   I just wondered what happened that he
needs to hide at all.”
    Janet
shrugged.   “Maybe he forgot his
wife’s birthday,” she suggested.   She’d been thinking the exact same thing, but she didn’t want Edward to
know it.   The last thing she wanted
to discuss with Edward was the missing conman, since it was still quite
possible Edward himself was the man in question.
    The pie tins
didn’t take long to wash, but by the time she’d finished them Joan had brought
in the rest of the dishes.  
    “Leonard and
Michael have gone,” she told Janet.   “Michael did mention that he might stop over later tonight, though.   Apparently there’s something on the telly that Leonard never misses, so Michael might just
leave him to it and come over for a cuppa while it’s
on.”
    Janet smiled at
her sister, who was clearly in a better mood.   “Hopefully Leonard will be heading home
soon,” she said to