Murder in the Secret Garden Read Online Free Page B

The rubber duck race was new to Storyton, and the staff had been talking about it with childlike glee ever since the local paper had printed a contest inviting people to name the ducks.
    â€œTell me about this Mr. Hughes,” Jane whispered conspiratorially. “Does he hint at which duck is the fastest?”
    Fitz’s glimmer reappeared. “
No
. He said that the winner would be decided by the currents and Lady Luck.” After a moment’s hesitation, Fitz asked, “Is she real, Mom?”
    Jane laughed. “No, honey. So Mr. Hughes gave you tickets to the race? That was very kind of him, especially since tickets don’t go on sale until tomorrow.”
    â€œWell, it’s
his
race after all!” Fitz declared.
    â€œYes, Mr. Hughes is the proprietor of Storyton Outfitters, the village’s newest business. I’ve been so looking forward to meeting him.” Jane proceeded down the lobby. Fitz marched at her side, waving his ticket in the air as though he were in a parade.
    Mr. Hughes was a tall man in his mid-sixties with salt-and-pepper hair and blue eyes that reminded Jane of mountain lakes. Judging from his weathered skin and the lines etched into his face like a road map of his journeys, Mr. Hughes preferred to spend his time in the open air.
    He shook hands with a firm grip, and his smile was genuine and warm. “I was just telling your great-uncle how much I enjoyed speaking with Mr. Lachlan in person. We’ve talked on the phone many times over the past few months, but neither of us are phone people. That’s my wife’s department.” He chuckled. “Anyway, Mr. Lachlan and I have worked out an arrangement that will be mutually beneficial. I believe this is the start of an excellent friendship and partnership between Storyton Hall and Storyton Outfitters.”
    Jane was delighted by this news. When Lachlan, whose full name was actually Iain Landon Lachlan, the head of the activities department, first heard that an experienced sportsman planned to open a shop on the outskirts of the village featuring fishing, hiking, and camping equipment, he’d become very animated. It was Lachlan’s hope that he andthe new owner of Storyton Outfitters could work together to provide Storyton’s guests with the opportunity to take half- or full-day fishing excursions, and it seemed as though his wish had been fulfilled.
    â€œI know my uncle has probably told you how thrilled he is to welcome another fisherman to Storyton, Mr. Hughes,” Jane said. “But I’d love to invite you and your wife to dinner one night next week. After all, we’re neighbors now.”
    â€œPlease call me Phil. Sandi—that’s my wife—made me promise to tell you that she’d like you and the boys to come for lunch after The Medieval Herbalists have cleared out.” He shrugged helplessly. “So you two ladies will have to get together and mark your calendars. I just go where I’m told.”
    Jane laughed. “Fair enough. I’ll see her tomorrow at the duck race, right?”
    â€œAnd for all The Medieval Herbalist events,” Phil said. “She’s one of them. In fact, that’s how we heard about Storyton. When the notice went out about the meeting, Sandi started reading up on the place. At first, I thought we shouldn’t come . . .”
    At this moment, Uncle Aloysius seemed to suffer a brief coughing fit. “Boys, would you go fetch me a glass of water? I have a tickle just below my Adam’s apple. Take your time and don’t spill.”
    When the twins were a safe distance away, Uncle Aloysius looked at Phil and said, “You were concerned about the resort’s unsavory history.”
    Phil nodded. “I was. Not Sandi. She was intrigued by this place the second she saw it online. Before I knew it, we were packing our bags and driving here for a weekend stay. I don’t think we even finished