Page 10

CHAPTER 10

AS MARPLE AND Poe ascended the wide porch steps, Holmes jumped up from the chair and held his arms out wide, like an actor owning a stage. Then came a pronouncement at the top of his voice. “‘How small we feel with our petty ambitions and strivings in the presence of the great elemental forces of nature!’”

“I’m glad to see you’ve been catching up on your reading,” said Marple. She moved in to give him a hug. He felt solid and looked healthy.

“The country atmosphere has changed me for good,” said Holmes. He took a deep breath and let it out with a burst. “‘How sweet the morning air is!’”

Poe looked irritated and impatient. “Are you just going to keep quoting from mystery novels,” he asked, “or can we have a serious conversation?”

“You’ve come to drag me back to that great cesspool, haven’t you?” said Holmes.

“How are you feeling, Brendan?” asked Marple. “How are things going with the program?”

“I’m clean, Margaret,” said Holmes. “Renewed, restored, and reformed.”

Marple had to admit that his eyes seemed clearer, and he was definitely full of pep.

“Brendan,” she said, “if you’re really better, and I truly hope you are, it’s time to come back to work. We’ve got a huge case on our hands, and we need your—”

“Let’s work here !” Holmes interrupted. “Join me! I’m sure we can find two vacant rooms.” He started pacing across the porch in his bare feet, ignoring the other residents. “The woods are so stimulating!” he said. “Cool nights, wind through the leaves, the occasional scream of madness.” He paused and leaned against a porch rail. “I can see why my mother liked this place.”

Poe walked over and cleared his throat. “Brendan, I have something to tell you.” He looked back at Marple. “I have something to tell both of you.”

Marple stepped up and cocked her head. Was this what had made Poe nervous all day? Was there something he needed to get off his chest? She and Holmes followed him to an empty corner of the porch. Poe stared up at the treetops for a moment. Then it spilled out.

“Helene is pregnant. I’m the father.”

Marple reached over and gave Poe’s sleeve a hard tug. “Auguste! We’ve been driving together for five hours and you kept this to yourself?”

“I wanted to tell you both at the same time,” said Poe. “Get your gut responses at once.”

Marple’s gut response was shock, but she didn’t let it show. The timing seemed poor. Auguste and Helene had known each other barely four months. It was too early in the relationship. “Well, I think it’s wonderful,” she said after a moment. “You two make a terrific team.” This part she meant. She liked Helene a lot. And maybe having a child would get Poe past his old sorrows and bring a little brightness into his life. God knew he’d had enough gloom.

Holmes turned toward them both, his back to the railing, his expression grim. “Personally, I am concerned,” he said. “For poor Helene!” He grabbed Poe by the shoulders. “Does she have any notion what it will mean to be linked for eternity to the dark and unfathomable Auguste Poe?”

“Brendan! Stop it!” scolded Marple.

Suddenly, Holmes broke into a broad smile.

In a snap, Marple could tell that the old Brendan was back. She glanced at Poe. From his expression, she could tell that he saw it too. Holmes reached out and pulled them both into a tight embrace. “You didn’t take me seriously, did you?” he said. “About staying here?”

“You sounded pretty convincing,” said Marple.

Holmes stepped back. “Wait here,” he said. “I’ll just be a moment.”

He pulled open the front door and bolted into the building. A few seconds later, he emerged with his duffel bag slung over his shoulder. He headed down the porch stairs toward the car, still in his robe, pajamas, and now slippers. He turned back as his partners stared.

“What’s the problem?” he asked. “I showered this morning. Four times actually. I may be sober. But I’m still obsessive.”