‘I’m Esther Bennett, of the Bennetts.Montrose… Montrose.’Esther tapped her chin in thought.
Amara held her breath, waiting for the Montrose name to spark some sort of recognition—the kind that came with tight-lipped smiles and sideways glances.The sniff of pity.The pursed lips filled with judgement.Or that flicker of something ugly in their eyes, like they couldn’t wait to whisper about the downfall of a family who’d once stood too tall.
‘Do I know that family name?’Esther asked Porter.
‘Not unless you do sheep?’
‘Can’t remember the last time I actually saw any sheep.’
‘Esther, do you know where Tilly Dixby is?’
‘Um…’ Esther spun around with a rustle of her petticoats.‘Tilly was there… No, wait…’ She spun with a wide twirl of tulle to face the other side of the room.‘She’s over there past the card players.She likes that chair with the corner view.Did you know her son went missing?The overseer?’
‘Did you know Sawyer?’
‘He was a student at my school here in town.Were you in my classes, Amara?’
‘Um, no.Had a governess, did boarding schools.But you knew Sawyer Dixby?’
Esther brushed her hands over the fine skirts of her ballgown.‘I won’t talk out of school, dear.’
‘You can talk to us.Show her your ID, Montrose.’
‘Oops, I forgot.’Which was a first for her.Pulling out her federal police badge, she made a mental note to never chastise Craig and Stone about it again.
‘Oh, you’re a policewoman.’Esther clapped her hands together with her eyes so bright.‘Aren’t you a clever little cookie?Are you here to talk to me?’
‘Tilly.’
‘Right.Did you know her son went missing?The overseer?’
‘We do.It’s why we’re here,’ said Porter, delicately.‘Do you remember Sawyer Dixby?’
‘As a child.He used to cheat on his exams.Wasn’t the brightest, but he was cunning.But I know Tilly, she’s over there…’ Esther pointed.‘No wait, she likes those chairs in the corner.’
‘We’ll find her, Esther.Why don’t you go and play the piano?Your friends are waiting on you to dazzle them.’
‘Oh, of course.Got any requests?We’re practising for the…’ She tapped her chin.‘Some show?I think.Have you seen my Cecil?’
‘He’ll be in bed by now.’
‘Good.Best I go check on him.’She kissed his cheek.‘Tell that grandson of mine to visit me soon.It’s been a while.’
‘Will do.’
‘And find yourself a nice girl.You’re too good a man to be alone, Porter.’
Porter bit back the grin.He’d better not glance at Amara for help.‘This way.’
‘You seem to know Esther well.’
‘She’s Luke’s grandmother.And Cecil’s owner.’
‘The water buffalo that wanders the streets.The road hazard who demands a pat.’It had been part of her morning routine when she lived at the pub and walked down the main street to work, to always stop to greet Cecil—not that the big beast would let her past, otherwise he’d follow her to work like a stray dog.
‘That’s him.He’s got a fancy stall out the back.’
‘Why do they let a water buffalo wander the streets?’
