Constantine Capers: The Pennington Perplexity Natalie Brianne (best summer reads of all time .txt) 📖

“Intoxicating?”

After a moment she nodded. He cleared his throat again.

“You must realize that is exactly the reason why I don’t want you to come with me.”

“Byron, you need someone to be your memory.”

“I…” He sighed heavily and looked down. “Yes, I do. But you can’t throw yourself into danger for the thrill of it!”

“Well, isn’t that why you do this?”

“Of course not! I’m just good at it.”

“Oh really? You don’t get any enjoyment out of the danger?”

“Alright. Fine. You got me. But I know what I’m doing.”

“And I don’t?”

“I didn’t say that!”

“You implied it.” She folded her arms.

“You are more than capable, Mira. I just…”

“Just what?”

“Perhaps we can talk more about this after we are safely on the other side of the Pit.”

“I can come then?”

“Yes.”

They sat in silence for a few minutes. The quiet of it all was like a blanket, smothering the breath out of Mira. She struggled to find something to talk about. He moved over to the window. She fidgeted with her hands. He turned back to her.

He broke the silence. “I think we have planned out our disguise, but we still need to determine what we’ll do once we get into it.”

“Won’t we just be following Selene?”

“At a distance.” He sat down at the piano bench and began to play chords as he continued.

“We’ll meet up with Selene at the police station in the morning. She’ll tell us the time frame for when she is meeting with Molly. We’ll get into our attire and follow her into the Pit.” His tune took a minor key and went into a lower register.

“She’ll take us to Molly, and we’ll arrest her?” she asked.

“Not yet. We’ll watch what happens with Molly and Selene. From there, we’ll follow Molly. Hopefully she’ll lead us to more of the smuggling ring.”

“And then we’ll arrest her?”

“At that point we’ll probably get a message to the chief inspector to bring his constables and arrest the whole lot of them. Then, our job is done, and the case is cracked.” He played a scale and then closed the cover of the piano.

“That easy?”

“Well nothing is that easy, but in theory it could be.”

“When do you want me to come tomorrow?”

“A bit earlier. I’ll need to remember if we’re going to be able to do anything.”

She nodded. “I’ll be here. But for now, I need to be getting back to my uncle’s. He’ll be expecting me for dinner.” She stood up to move towards the door. He followed her to the front hall.

“Mira, for as much as I don’t want you to come with me tomorrow, I am glad you’ll be with me.”

“Thank you.”

He helped her into her coat and opened the door. The sun filtered onto the rain-soaked pavement. “I’ll see you tomorrow then. Rest up today.”

“I will. You should as well.”

“I will. Good day, Miss Blayse.” He kissed her hand.

“Good day, Mr. Constantine.”

She decided to take a walk through Kensington Gardens before going home. It was always more beautiful after the rain. The trees shone with a greener hue, the water a more vibrant blue, and mist rose from the dew-tipped blades of grass. She walked around the pond as swans swam in circles around each other. Despite the serene atmosphere, she felt uneasy. Her mind was on tomorrow and what the Pit might bring. Could they trust Selene? Or was this all a trap?

A man and his young daughter walked by the side of the water. They threw breadcrumbs in for the swans to peck at. One swan reached out its long neck and pecked at the little girl causing her to cry. Why did things that were so beautiful and wondrous have to hurt? The girl’s father picked her up and walked away.

“Unfortunate, isn’t it?”

Mira jumped and turned to find a tall man with a long face and sharp features looking at her. He wore an elegant top hat and carried a cane. His demeanor made Mira’s stomach turn. A feeling of discomfort and caution swept over her.

“Apologies, I didn’t mean to startle you. I was referring to the young girl with the swan.” He gestured with his cane.

“Oh, yes. It is unfortunate. I hope she wasn’t injured too badly.”

“Yes. You would think she would have heeded the warnings.”

“What warnings?”

“Perhaps they aren’t as obvious to some people. But they have been made very evident to you, Miss Blayse.”

Mira bristled and took a few steps back. “Who are you?”

“If I said a friend, would you believe me?”

“Not especially, no.”

“Someone who shouldn’t be reckoned with, then.”

“Are you threatening me, then?”

“Of course not. Obviously, threats don’t work on you. However, I am inviting you to rethink your acquaintances.”

“I believe that is up to me to decide.”

“Indeed, it is. Just remember, all decisions have consequences. I would consider those consequences before something tragic happens.”

He tipped his hat to her and disappeared as quickly as he had appeared. Mira felt ill and hurried back to her uncle’s house as the clouds threatened rain again.

“Back so soon Miss?” Landon looked up from his feather duster when she came into the front room.

“We finished what we needed to do for the day. He told me to get some rest.” Mira trailed off, still processing what had happened in the park.

“You don’t seem as happy as you were this morning.”

Nero came in and jumped onto her lap. She stroked him gratefully.

“I’m just worried.”

“About what?”

“About tomorrow.”

“Doing something dangerous then?”

“Well…”

“I don’t need to know. Just stay safe.”

“I’m not entirely certain what I am getting into.”

“Does Mr. Constantine?”

“I don’t know if he does.”

“Hmm.”

She went into the parlor to wait for dinner to be served. She moved over to the far wall and knelt in front of a cabinet, opening it. She looked towards the door. Her uncle was likely in his study. Gently she pulled a small box out of the cabinet and lifted the lid. A small frame with a photo of her parents, herself, and Walker lay on the bottom. She took it out and dusted it off with