INTERLUDE: Not a Creature was Stirring (A Watson and Bix Mystery)

 Chapter 2

Wondering Eyes

I must say I was caught off guard by the sight of the guest at the door. Diminutive and demure, the woman in front of me appeared to have wandered off the set of a community theatre production of  A Christmas Carol. She even spoke with a proper British lilt. 

A diminutive and demure guest

"Pardon me, sir," said she. "Is this the home of noted criminologist, Dr. Oliver Watson?"

"It is, madame. Do you have an appointment?"

"No, I'm afraid I don't. But this is a matter of great urgency."

"Perhaps you should contact Inspector Taslet of the Back Yard."

The woman became upset at the suggestion of this. 

"Oh, I can't! Don't you see? I musn't!"

At that moment my friend cleared his throat. "Come now, Bixley. Show the woman into the study. Ask Mrs. Quill to prepare some tea once she finishes with the spill in the hallway. I shall be in momentarily."

Mrs. Quill

"Yes, of course, Oliver. Madame, right this way."

I led the jittery woman into the study.

"Have a seat on the sofa, madame. Dr. Watson will be with you shortly."

"Oh, I ain't never been in such a fancy abode as this before."

"Your accent. Do I detect a bit of a northern end in it? Perhaps Manchester?"

"North of Leeds, south of York."

"That's a narrow strip of land. What's there?"

"Fields, mostly. And bog and moors. Very formidable."

"Well, sit comfortably. Whatever your situation, Dr. Watson will surely be able to help you."

I found Mrs. Quill in the hallway with a wet mop and a bucket of steaming, soapy water. She wrung the water from the puddle she had cleaned back into the bucket and straightened her back.

"One step ahead of you, Colonel Bixley. I put the tea on at the sound of the doorbell then grabbed me bucket and mop."

"Well done, Mrs. Quill. We'll be in the study."

I returned to the study to find Watson in his Queen Anne's chair and the woman where I'd left you. Watson looked up at me as I entered.

"Ah, Colonel Bixley. This is Mrs. Merry Lynn Rodenthurst. She brings to us a most interesting situation. Perhaps you could fill in my good friend Bix here as to what brought you here."

"Well, sir, as I was telling the criminologist here, the most extraordinary event has occurred. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't believe a word of what I'm about to tell you but I did so I do and I hope you will too otherwise we are all in mortal danger!"