Free 7 Never Haunt a Historian by Edie Claire Page B

down at her sleeping baby. “Of course, when he looks as adorable as this, it makes it all worth it, doesn’t it?”
    Leigh noticed that Harvey was creeping quietly around the women and back toward his room.
    “Oh, Harvey,” Nora called out, just as he was disappearing behind his door. “Derrick says thank you. For that information on the zoning.”
    Harvey paused and smiled back at her. “Tell him you’re very welcome,” he replied. Then he hastened into his room and closed the door.
    “Zoning?” Emma asked.
    Nora rolled her eyes. “Chickens,” she said with exasperation. “Derrick wants chickens. I kept telling him we couldn’t have any out here, but apparently I was wrong. Next thing, he’ll want a cow!”
    Leigh’s eyebrows rose. Nora’s husband Derrick was a small, wiry man with thick glasses who worked for a bank. Even though he spent much of his time telecommuting from home, his wardrobe seemed to consist entirely of business slacks, button-down shirts, and loafers. In the year or so since the Sullivans had moved in next door, she had never once seen him working outside. Nora mowed their lawn herself, even while she was pregnant.
    “You mean you can have chickens?” Emma inquired.
    “Unfortunately, yes,” Nora responded, reaching out her arms to take the baby.
    Leigh’s teeth gritted. Earth-mother Cara was always talking about wanting fresh eggs. If this tidbit got out, the Harmons would be sandwiched in between two roosters competing to crow the earliest.
    “You know,” Emma said thoughtfully, pulling the baby back in closer. “He’s so snug now. Why wake him up to move him? You go on home and have a nap. I’ll bring him over in an hour or so.”
    Nora’s brown eyes shone with elation. “Really? Are you sure? Oh, Emma… I am so tired.”
    “You know, if you had chickens,” Leigh threw in quickly, “you’d be even more tired—”
    “Oh, I almost forgot to ask!” Nora broke in, oblivious. “Is Archie home yet? Did he make the meeting?”
    Emma’s face puckered with concern. “No, I’m afraid not. We’re really very worried about him.”
    “Oh, no,” Nora said in a whisper. “Derrick was supposed to go today, but he had to work. He said Archie would never miss a meeting. I just don’t understand it.”
    “None of us do,” Emma answered gravely.
    An uncomfortable silence followed.
    “By the meeting, you mean the reenactors, right?” Leigh asked tentatively.
    Emma nodded. “Lester’s with them now. He’s asked for their help in finding Archie. Although what they can do, I’m not sure. I only wish there was something more I could do. I’ve called everyone I can think to call… Lester and I went through every page of Archie’s address book. Nobody seems to know anything.”
    “Well if you think of anything Derrick or I can do to help,” Nora offered, “you will let us know, won’t you? I mean it. Colicky baby or not.”
    Emma agreed, and Nora turned and headed for the door.
    Leigh followed. She was anxious to talk to Lester, but her questions would have to wait. While the other women stood at the open front door discussing baby care, Leigh paused to look over her shoulder and down the hall. Was there more that Harvey would have told her, had they not been interrupted? He had given no indication of it. He had not even said goodbye.
    The smallest of movements caught her eye. Harvey’s bedroom door, which had been standing open about an inch, was now closing ever so slowly the rest of the way.
    “Now, Miss Leigh,” Emma said warmly as she closed her front door behind Nora and shifted the sleeping baby expertly to one shoulder. “What did you want, dear? Did you come to see Adith? I’m afraid she’ll be drowsy for a while yet. She does hate that new medication, but her doctor insists on it, you know.”
    “Actually, I came to see Lester,” Leigh admitted. “Do you have any idea when he might be back?”
    Emma’s worry lines deepened. “Not really. Once the