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Nobody moved.

“Lenny, Miss Scarlet’s always first,” Ellery prompted.

“Not my first murder, thank you.” Lenny heard herself and swallowed. She hastily rolled the dice.

Freddie picked up his mug. “Ellery says another storm is moving in,” he announced.

This was met with the delight one would expect.

Oscar’s fingers closed on the doubloon. His head fell back and he woke himself up with a little splutter.

“Where’s Watson?” Ellery asked in quick alarm, looking around the room.

“Right here.” Tosh nodded downwards, and Ellery relaxed at the sight of Watson comfortably wedged on the loveseat between Tosh and Oscar. “Our little chaperone.”

“Ha,” Freddie said, and sipped his Irish coffee. His brows rose. “Not bad.”

After that, no one had much to say.

Five minutes passed.

Oscar and Watson dozed, Tosh stared out the window, Freddie stared at Tosh.

Ten minutes passed.

Lenny, Flip, and Ellery continued their game.

“Miss Scarlet in the kitchen with the poker,” Ellery guessed.

Miss Scarlet laughed in his face.

Fifteen minutes passed.

The clocks in the hall and on the mantel soothingly ticked out each and every minute. An eternity of minutes.

Maybe Jack was already on his way. Maybe he’d be showing up with the cavalry any minute.

Eventually, Freddie placed his empty glass on the table and sat back. He closed his eyes.

Flip, Lenny, and Ellery met each other’s eyes.

Freddie had had an exhausting night. Maybe all they had to do was stay quiet and still and hopefully Freddie would forget all about them.

Sure.

Freddie’s eyes flew open. He wiped his hand across his face.

No one said anything. They remained motionless, watchful and silent, as Freddie’s eyes flickered shut again.

Ellery glanced at Tosh. Her lips were parted.

Freddie’s head fell back, his mouth fell open, and he began to snore.

Chapter Twenty

Ellery stood up slowly, reaching for the poker next to fireplace. Lenny and Flip also rose, warily watching Freddie. Oscar jumped up from the sofa, and went to check Freddie, who continued to snore peacefully in his chair.

Tosh gulped, “It’s okay. I crushed up the sleeping pills in the guest bathroom.”