Mr. Bainswright’s eyes widened. “What theory is that?”
“I haven’t completely figured it out, but if I were to hazard a guess, I’d say that Frank Fitzsimmons didn’t press the issue of the extortion money because you threatened to burn down yourstore. I’d also say Lottie spends time in this shop not because she’s an avid reader, but because she’s here to leave or retrieve messages that have something to do with Frank Fitzsimmons’s burgeoning criminal organization.”
“We’re catering to criminals without even knowing it?” Mrs. Bainswright whispered.
“I’m afraid that might be the case,” Adelaide said. “But I can assure you and Mr. Bainswright that we’ll be able to sort everything out since we now have a glimmer of an idea of what might be transpiring here.”
“How in the world would you be able to do that?” Mrs. Bainswright asked.
Adelaide shot a look to Gideon, who, even though he wasn’t always keen to disclose anything about his business, didn’t hesitate to take a few moments to explain the accounting firm to the Bainswrights, ending with “And know that I’ll personally see to your case, starting with the paper we found in the diary and going from there.”
“I forgot all about that paper,” Mrs. Bainswright admitted.
“I’m sure that’s what Gideon wanted all of us to do, since he’s determined to keep me uninvolved in this matter,” Adelaide said. “But I say, now that we’ve been reminded of it, we should get down to the business of seeing if it has anything of worth written on it.”
“I was going to wait until I returned to the office before looking it over since I don’t have a magnifying glass on me,” Gideon said.
“Mrs. Bainswright keeps a magnifying glass at the ready because of her needlepoint,” Adelaide said, resisting a grin when Gideon narrowed his eyes on her. “Would you like me to fetch it for you?”
“I may not actually need it,” he muttered before he unfolded the slip of paper. Taking a second to glance it over, he then did the unexpected and handed it to her.
“You’re actually going to share the contents with me without any badgering on my end?” she asked.
“I can be magnanimous upon occasion.”
“It’s more likely that this is one of those occasions where I’m expecting to see a treasure map, but I’m soon to discover it’s someone’s abandoned greengrocery list.”
“It’s definitely not a grocery list.”
A sense of anticipation began swirling through her as she took the paper, her level of anticipation turning to downright delight as she gave the paper a cursory glance. “It’s a cipher.”
“You know what it is?”
Her brows drew together. “Why do I get the distinct impression you only handed it to me because you believed I wouldn’t know what it was?”
“It’s uncanny how you’re beginning to read my mind,” Gideon muttered.
“I’m sure it is, just as I’m sure you realize I’ll now expect to be included in the deciphering process.” Adelaide pretended she didn’t notice when Gideon took to scowling. “However, since we can’t do any deciphering right this very minute because we’ll need a codebreaker, allow us to return to the Bainswrights’ unfortunate situation.” She stepped closer to Mrs. Bainswright. “I think, what with the troubling things we’ve uncovered about your store, such as it’s undoubtedly being used as a hub to trade secrets, that you and Mr. Bainswright may want to take a well-deserved holiday as soon as possible.”
Mrs. Bainswright turned to Mr. Bainswright. “I’m afraid Adelaide may have the right of it, my dear, but I don’t think a holiday is what we need. I think it’s time we got around to doing what we’ve been putting off for ages—something we can no longer delay since we can’t very well allow nefarious dealings to be carried out in our beloved shop. That could very well see us accused of being accomplices to criminal activities.”
“I fear you’re right,” Mr. Bainswright agreed. “And sincelanding behind bars because of ridiculous naïvety on our part is not something either of us would enjoy, I say we agree here and now to finally retire, effective immediately.”
A weight settled in Adelaide’s stomach. “You’re going to close the bookshop?”
Mrs. Bainswright waved that aside. “We would never consider closing the bookshop, dear. We’ll be giving it to you, of course, which has been our intention from practically the moment we met you.” She settled a lovely smile on Gideon. “And since you, my darling man, seem to be more than equipped to deal with the nefarious dealings that are taking place here, I expect you to promise me here and now that you’ll look after our Adelaide and promise to do your very best to get these criminals routed from her new store as quickly as possible.”
Fourteen
“Have you taken complete leave of your senses?” Camilla demanded, advancing toward Adelaide, who was standing on a dais in the middle of the music room, wincing every now and again as Miss Ellington, Camilla’s favorite dress designer, readjusted the waistline of a dark green gown Gideon thought looked delightful on Adelaide, even though it was filled with pins.
He cleared his throat, drawing Adelaide’s attention. “I told you Camilla wasn’t going to be pleased to learn you’re taking possession of Bainswright Books.”
“And I’m sure you’re feeling rather smug that you were quite right about that,” Adelaide said, a decidedly grumpy expression on her face. “Don’t think for a second, though, I don’t realize why you insisted on coming with me to attend yet another torture session disguised as an innocent fitting, complete with sharp, pointy objects that seem to have it out for me, no matter their tiny size. You’re hoping Camilla will convince me that operating a bookstore is a bad idea, something you’ve been unsuccessful doing.”
Gideon certainly couldn’t argue with that, although whileit was true he’d known Camilla would be appalled to learn of Adelaide’s new venture, that wasn’t the only reason he’d insisted on accompanying her.
For one, there was the distinct possibility Adelaide was in danger, given that the thieves who’d accosted her the day before would now almost certainly believe she still had possession of the diary, what with how it had clearly not been left behind in the store.
