“I do his cooking and his tidying up. Heaven knows who would do it if I didn’t.”
“Oh. Right.” The housekeeper. That made more sense.
“Anyway, I know you had words with him. Don’t mind him. He’s a terrible grump but he’s not so bad. I brought you some oatmeal bars to make up for him.”
“That was kind of you, but that wasn’t—” Archie whimpered for attention before Harper could say more.
Joyce gasped like she was just noticing him. “Well, hello there. Aren’t you the sweetest thing?”
“That’s Archie,” Harper said.
“What a handsome boy you are, Archie. One of the finest dogs I’ve ever seen, if I do say so myself.”
Archie smiled at her. Like most men, he appreciated being adored.
“And I’m Harper. It’s nice to meet you, Joyce. Would you like to come in?”
“Oh, I don’t want to bother you. Himself has seen to that already.”
Harper smiled. The woman’s accent was charming and so was she. “It’s no bother.”
“Well, just for a minute then.” She stepped inside. “I’ve never been in this house, but Mr. Marsh was a fine man. Fine family, too.”
“Did you know them?”
“Not too much. Mr. Marsh was a friend of Mitch’s, though. Mitch is the man I work for. Mr. Marsh would come over once in a while. Have a drink, smoke a cigar. He loved Mitch’s books.”
Harper nodded as they went up the steps together, Archie trailing them. “Arlington did like to read. So he borrowed books from your boss?”
Joyce shook her head. “He didn’t borrow them so much as he just bought them outright. Whenever Mitch had a new one out, Mr. Marsh would buy it and bring it over for him to sign.”
As they reached the second floor, Harper turned to Joyce. “Are you saying your boss is an author?”
“That’s right,” Joyce said. Archie sat next to her, clearly hoping for some attention. “Mitchell Ripley.”
Harper blinked. “The author of the Blackstone Detective Agency books?”
“Those are the ones. Do you know them?” Joyce gave Archie a few pets on the head.
Was there anyone who didn’t? The books had been made into a series and the supernatural detective show was all anyone talked about these days. It had become a cultural touchstone. She’d talked Arlington into taking a role on the show and he’d been a tremendous hit. “I do. I’ve not only read the books, but I’ve watched theBDAseries on Netflix. I’m a big fan. Seeing the books come to life has been pretty cool.”
Joyce rolled her eyes. “Don’t tell Himself that. Says they ruined the story, they did. Although he loved Mr. Marsh’s portrayal of the Doomsday Oracle, whatever that means.” She shook her head. “I don’t go in for all that vampire business.”
Archie was still at Joyce’s side.
“Archie, go lay down.” Harper pointed toward the couch. He trotted away. She returned her attention to Joyce. “I promise I won’t say a word. I don’t think he likes me anyway, so there’s not much chance we’ll be having another conversation.”
“Well, he does tend to keep himself to himself, but he could use a friend. Not saying it needs to be you. But the man hasn’t been the same since his wife died. Then Mr. Marsh passed on, may they both rest in peace.” She shook her head as she held out the container of oatmeal bars. “Sad, innit?”
“Very sad,” Harper agreed. She took the oatmeal bars and set them on the kitchen counter. “Please have a seat. Can I get you something to drink?”
“A cup of tea would be lovely.” Joyce glanced at the couch and the salad bowl on the coffee table. “I’m interrupting your dinner.”
“Don’t worry about it. One cup of tea coming right up.” Fortunately, Harper had picked up a box of teabags on her shopping trip. She found a mug, filled it with water, then stuck it in the microwave. “This isn’t how I’d usually make tea, but I’ve just arrived, and I don’t know where anything is. I don’t even know if there’s a kettle.”
Joyce had taken a seat on the couch. Archie had moved over beside her, disregarding his blanket altogether. “Doesn’t bother me. You bought the house from Mr. Marsh then?”
Harper realized Joyce might be here on a fact-finding mission, but it was nice to have someone to talk to all the same. “He left it to me in his will.”
