Herald Of Death

afternoon off away if you don’t stop calling me that.”

“Aw, go on with you. You like it, really.” Gertie dug in her pocket for a handkerchief and blew her nose. “Anyhow, we’ll know soon enough when they get here. So you might as well tell us now.”

“My lips are sealed.” Mrs. Chubb drew a finger across her mouth. “And in future, you both better be extra careful of who might be listening when you’re having a private conversation. It can cause all sorts of trouble, like today. Are you hearing me?”

Gertie and Pansy answered together. “Yes, Mrs. Chubb.”

Michel echoed with a high-pitched mimic, “Yes, Mrs. Chubb.”

The housekeeper glared at him, then picked up a lump of pastry and threw it at his head. He didn’t duck quite fast enough and the lump of dough knocked off his hat.

In spite of her worry, Gertie laughed. It wasn’t often anyone got the best of Michel, but oh, how she loved it when someone did.

“So can I help Doris with her costumes?” Pansy asked, her voice full of hope.

Mrs. Chubb frowned. “I don’t know that we can spare the time. We have only two more days left before the Christmas guests arrive.”

“I can manage without her,” Gertie said, giving her friend a nudge. “She can help me later when she’s done with rehearsals.”

“Yes, I can do that!” Pansy was practically jumping up and down with anticipation.

Mrs. Chubb looked doubtful. “Well, I don’t know…”

“Oh, come on, Chubby. What will it hurt?” Gertie wiped her hands on her apron. “Doris needs someone to help her and she doesn’t trust no one else. You don’t want to make Doris look like a fool up there because she doesn’t have the right costume on, do you?”

“Well, no, of course not, but-”

“I’ll work twice as hard afterward.” Pansy held out her hands. “Please?”

Mrs. Chubb shook her head. “Oh, all right. But you’ll have to make up for it later, young lady.”

“Oh, I will! I will!” Pansy threw her arms around Gertie’s waist. “Thank you, thank you! You’re the best friend anyone could have. You really are.”

Gertie cleared her throat. “Go on with you. Get off me before I choke.”

Pansy grinned. “I’m going to get you the best present you ever saw for Christmas. You’ll see.”

“You don’t have to get me nothing.” Gertie turned back to the sink. Just get Clive back alive, she silently prayed. Oh, and Dr. Prestwick and the colonel. That was all she asked. All she wanted.

Baxter’s expression spoke volumes as Cecily led Phoebe and Madeline into the sitting room. Only then did she remember his last words. Just don’t bring her up to the suite. Ah well, it was too late now.

Smiling brightly at him, she said, “Clive and Dr. Prestwick have gone to look for the colonel. We are going to wait here until they all return.”

Baxter raised an eyebrow. “I don’t suppose they happened to look in the bar, by any chance?”

Cecily gave him what she hoped was a meaningful look. “The colonel is not in the bar, or anywhere else in the Pennyfoot. The men are looking for him in the woods on Putney Downs.”

At her words, Phoebe uttered a little moan.

Baxter raised both eyebrows. “In the woods? What in blazes is he doing up there?”

“We don’t exactly know, darling.” Cecily seated Phoebe next to the fireplace and motioned Madeline to sit across from her. “All we know is that Gertie found his walking stick up there and Madeline thinks he’s still there somewhere.”

“Good Lord.” Baxter rubbed his brow. “I hope the poor blighter is all right.”

Phoebe whimpered and dug out her handkerchief again.

“I’m quite sure he is,” Madeline said firmly.

“Darling, why don’t you go down to the library and take your newspaper with you.” Cecily smiled sweetly at her husband. “I’m sure you will be more comfortable down there.”

To her relief, Baxter picked up his newspaper, nodded at the ladies, and strode to the door. “Please inform me of any news,” he said, and closed the door with a firm snap behind him.

“I think he’s upset about something,” Phoebe said, tucking her handkerchief back in her sleeve. “Sometimes it’s hard to know what Mr. Baxter is thinking.”

Madeline smiled. “I always know what he’s thinking. Right now he’s very happy to escape a room that contains three ladies, all of whom are quite capable of taking him down a peg or two.”

Cecily laughed. “You may be right. As long as we have this time for ourselves, let’s discuss the pantomime.” Hoping to take Phoebe’s mind off the missing colonel, she turned to her. “How are things with your presentation, Phoebe?”

Phoebe drew a shuddering breath. “As well as can be expected. Doris is an absolute gem, of course. We are so lucky to have her in the pantomime. She is wonderful as Wendy, and the children adore her. She has a way with them, you know.”

Cecily nodded. “Yes, I can imagine that. How are my godchildren doing? Are they enjoying their first experience as performers?”

Phoebe actually smiled. “They are wonderful, Cecily. Wait until you see them! James is quite masterful onstage, and little Lillian follows directions beautifully. In fact, all the children are doing extremely well.”

Cecily hesitated, then decided she might as well break the news. “Speaking of the children, I don’t know if you heard Gertie mention that James has broken his arm?”

Phoebe uttered a cry of dismay. “Oh, no! Does that mean he won’t be in the pantomime?”

Madeline uttered a scornful laugh. “Dear Phoebe, always putting her own concerns in front of everything else.”

Phoebe scowled. “What exactly does that mean?”

Madeline shrugged. “You could have asked how the child was feeling.”

Phoebe looked offended. “I was coming to that.” She turned back to Cecily. “I do hope he is feeling well enough to participate in the pantomime.”

Madeline rolled her eyes but mercifully said nothing.

“I think that will be up to Gertie to decide,” Cecily said.

Phoebe sighed. “It’s always something. If we have to do without him, then so be it. We’ll manage. I really think this will be the very best event I have ever produced.”

“That shouldn’t be so hard to do,” Madeline murmured.

Cecily spoke quickly, before Phoebe had time to realize the sting in that remark. “Splendid! I am really looking forward to seeing the production. I understand Clive put up the wiring for you.”

“Yes, he did. He really is a remarkable man. He built the most amazing pirate ship and it’s on wheels and actually moves.” Phoebe shook her head. “I don’t know how he does it. I-” She broke off, her eyes wide as she stared at Madeline’s face.

Cecily followed her gaze, and caught her breath. Madeline was in one of her trances, her eyes glazed and staring, her body stiff and motionless.

Phoebe hunched closer to the fire. “I wish she wouldn’t do that,” she whispered. “It’s so unsettling.”

Cecily hushed her with a finger over her lips.

Madeline sat like a stone. Her lips moved, though no sound emerged.

Phoebe gulped and drew back on her chair.

The silence in the room was almost painful. Cecily waited, heart pounding, for what seemed like minutes until Madeline stirred.

She opened her eyes and looked straight at Phoebe. Her next words sent a cold chill through Cecily’s bones.

“They have found the colonel.”