Free The Harrison: A Beautiful Place to Die (Madeline Donovan Mysteries Book 2) by Madison Kent Page B

finished the effect of an embracive gloom.
    "Madeline, how are you?" asked Louie in a hushed tone. "Rosa is lying down. She spends most days in repose, barely eating. Sometimes I think I may lose her too from grief."
    "I understand. The days immediately following a tragedy like this can be so painful. I have come on an errand and hope it is not too soon to speak with you about it. I was hoping to acquire Maria's clothing and take it to be analyzed. I have a friend who may be able to ascertain if there is anything of note on the clothing."
    "Yes. I have the clothes preserved as you had asked. I will gladly give them to you. Come with me into her room and I will show you what I have."
    It was a lovely room, the kind you decorate for a very feminine girl. Lacey curtains and plush pillows adorned the quilt. Maria's things were laid upon the bed as if still waiting for her return.
    "This is what had interested me when we were at the coroner's office. Do you see these random specks of white that look like some powder? I am hoping this may tell us something."
    "I hadn't really paid attention to that, but yes, I can see there is some on the sleeve of her dress and around her collar. One other interesting thing has occurred. Rosa tells me this ring does not belong to Maria. At least, she had never seen her wear it before. Her jewelry consisted of some fine pieces left to her by my grandmother in Italy. The rings she possessed had antique settings. They were beloved by her as they were given to her from her Nana. That's why this ring stands out. It doesn't seem likely she would purchase a piece such as this."
    Madeline held the ring in her hand. It appeared to be white gold with small diamonds set in a row.
    "It is lovely. It almost looks like a betrothal ring."
    "That's what we both thought, also. The type of ring one usually gives or gets when romantically involved. Maria did have a boyfriend in New York, but it was nothing serious. We have already contacted him, and he did not give her the ring."
    "Perhaps she did meet someone, and this was a promise ring."
    "That's always a possibility, but Rosa and I both feel that is an unlikely answer."
    "Yes, sometimes in war-time you hear of such occurrences of instant attraction and marriage, but I agree that, under the circumstances, it does not seem likely. It will be invaluable as a clue to her disappearance, I'm sure of that. It may have been an enticement used by an unsavory character to win her favor. If were there against her will, she may have been trying to escape when she ran into the street."
    "It is too difficult to speak about. Take her clothing, and please let us know as soon as possible what you discover."
    "I will and I hope that Rosa will be better soon. Do you need my father to come and see her?"
    "Yes, the medicine he gave her had some calming effect. Perhaps if he could bring her additional opium, that would help."
    "I will tell him of your request, and I'm sure he will be able to see you before the end of the day."
    "Thank you and take care. Remember, whoever harmed Maria is still out there."
    "Unfortunately, that is true, but now we have some useful information to find him."
     
    She carefully laid Maria's clothing over her lap as she drove home in the carriage. Now that she had seen the ring Maria had in her possession, it had steered her thoughts in a new direction. It seemed to her highly improbable that Maria's death was nothing but an unfortunate accident. She would contact Marilyn immediately, hoping to see that she was in possession of Maria's dress as soon as possible.
    For the rest of the day, however, she would concern herself with the arrival of her guest from London.
     
    She stopped at the florist to buy flowers for the table and for Hugh's room. Even a man could appreciate the scent of fragrant flowers. She believed it had a way of making one feel welcome and at home. From her garden, she had cut catmint, with its beautiful lavender color and spicy scent,