JACK OF DIAMONDS, REDUX

CHAPTER 17, PROPOSED EDITS

If you want to help with the edits, step in—don’t be shy. And welcome, Sonia! I’m sorry I’m late with today’s entry, but last night was Hallowe’en, and things being what they are, I simply forgot. These things happen. I was more concerned wondering what I was going to do with my November writing challenge. So, without further ado, here’s CHAPTER 17…

Sonia followed Nigel directions, and came finally coming around approaching the circular driveway and looking up at the ornate facade that was of the front entrance. way of Bedloe Manor. Mandalay. The masonry was trimmed with a light cream coloured brickwork, the building itself, was a darker brownstone. There were long hedgerows and garden-beds running the entire along the length of the foundation, as well as manicured walking paths that would have done any groundskeeper proud.

It had been a quick drive out, and she ’d watched paid carefully attention as to Nigel as he pointed out negotiated the potholes and larger puddles on the road with the ease and comfort of a practiced rider. It seemed was obvious to her that he was more than capable, because of his lead, she was able to avoided the bigger holes—but could still feeling the jarring jolts of the smaller potholes she was unable to avoid. Most of them potholes were hidden under pond-sized puddles spanning the entire width of the lane in places. She was certain t The spray sent up by the Bentley was a cascade of brackish water was coated ing the sides of the automobile—almost as if someone had thrown a can of paint at the machine.

I’ll wash it on the weekend, she told herself, as she turning ed the key and shutting off the engine. She sat back and looked in at the size and grandeur of the place as Nigel took his goggles off stepped out of the Bentley and smiled.

“Looks a lot better in the fucking daylight—oh, sorry. I didn’t mean to say that.”

“Say what?”

“I’ll try to speak posh,” he grinned.

“Don’t feel you have to on my account.”

“Right then, I won’t,” he laughed.

a mud smeared grin. She’d seen Manor houses before, driving through the countryside, but only from a distance. She’d never seen one up close to one before. It was an impressive sight, she had to admit to herself. Her father would’ve appreciated the grandeur of it all; the gables and columns; the sharp edges and angles—what was the proper name for that, she wondered? She knew there had to be a proper name for it, but for the life of her, she couldn’t remember what it was called. There were large masonry bricks with even faces and square edges leading to oversized windows and balconies.

There must be a hundred rooms in t here.

The door opened and a Butler appeared on the stairs; he quickly ran out to meet them.

“Detective,” he said, looking at Sonia briefly as he crossed the driveway, approaching Nigel. “I was not expecting you today. It’s not a good time,” he added gently.

“Mr. Berry,” Nigel said, stepping his leg off the motorcycle and pulling it up on the bike stand. up to meet the man. “I told you, I’m not a detective.”

“Constable,” he corrected himself. “You said nothing of about coming back today. We’re in the process of preparing for tonight’s costume Ball.”

“We’ll try not to get in the way,” Nigel said, quickly, giving the man a slap on the back and walking toward the front door. “But I wanted to look at the evidence before it got washed away with another rainfall,” he added. taking his riding jacket off and laying it across the motorcycle’s saddle. He looked at his mud-splattered goggles and tossed them on top of the coat.

“Evidence? What evidence would that be?”

“Physical evidence? Like footprints, perhaps? If  I was hoping we could see the stables, or wherever the horse was taken from? We might find evidence as to the identity of the thief.”

“Footprints?”

“Well, hoof prints, obviously. Perhaps we might find tracks—evidence— that might lead us in the general direction as to which way he may have gone.”

“Tracks? Do you mean  From the horse?”

“It’s not unlikely with the ground being as it is,” Sonia said sensibly.

Berry looked at her, and then looked at Nigel.

“I’m sorry,” Nigel said quickly. “This is Sonia. She’ll be working with me.”