6 Grounds for Murder by Kate Kingsbury

however, had kept her mind and her hands busy, so much so that the months and even years had slipped by almost without her noticing.
    Then there had been Baxter, of course. Shifting her gaze back to him now, she gazed thoughtfully at his face. He was her trusted friend, her confidant, her loyal and dependable right hand in the myriad business matters that were part of running a busy hotel.
    Yet during the past months she had become gradually aware of more personal feelings for the man who had given James his solemn promise to take care of his good friend’s grieving widow.
    At first she had thought it to be merely a sense of loss for the companionship and close intimacy she had shared with her dead husband. But now she knew it was more than that.She had become extremely fond of Baxter, and her greatest regret was that he found it impossible to return her affections.
    On a rare occasion she had glimpsed an expression, caught an odd phrase, suggesting that perhaps he might have cared for her if things had been different—had she not been the owner of the Pennyfoot Hotel and he the employed manager.
    At times the longing became quite acute, though she could never allow him to know of her anguish. That would embarrass them both.
    With a sharp movement she stubbed out the cigar in the silver ashtray, producing an acrid smell of burned tobacco. Much as she adored the hotel and the busy life she led, there were times when she cursed the chains that James had so tightly bound about her. Her promise to keep the Pennyfoot in the family had cost her a great deal.
    “Madam?”
    She looked up, meeting Baxter’s steady gray gaze with a sudden skip of her heart.
    “You are displeased with me, madam?”
    Aware that she was scowling at him, she straightened her features. “I’m sorry, Baxter. I was deep in thought.”
    “Might I enquire as to the nature of your thoughts?”
    For a moment his gaze seemed to hold her captive. She heard the clock on the mantelpiece ticking far more loudly than usual. An almost irresistible urge to say what was in her heart rendered her breathless as the words trembled on her lips.
    For just an instant she saw an answering light leap in his eyes, then he said quietly, “Forgive me, madam, for intruding on your private thoughts. If you wish to be alone …”
    Realizing he had assumed she was thinking about James,she hurried to set him straight. “Oh, no, it’s quite all right. As a matter of fact, I was thinking about the missing axe and where it could be. You must agree it is a strange coincidence, considering the recent murder on the Downs.”
    Baxter shrugged and stretched his neck as if he found his stiff white collar too tight. “Coincidence, yes, madam. I would agree with that. After all, if you are considering the possibility of the utensil being used as a murder weapon, I should remind you that the murder was committed before the loss of the axe.”
    Watching him, Cecily felt a momentary sadness. He seemed relieved that the moment of tension had passed. She gathered her thoughts, saying, “I am aware of that. If it were not for the note, I would think no more about it. I can’t help feeling uneasy, however. I do wish I knew who had played such a cruel joke, if indeed it was a joke.”
    “It is entirely possible that the same prankster is the culprit who ran off with the axe.”
    She sat up straighter, staring at him in dismay. “That’s not a comforting thought. Who would stoop to such thoughtless tricks? Surely not one of our staff?”
    “It is simply a suggestion, madam. I can think of no other reason why someone should want to take off with an axe.”
    “And I can think of no one who would do such a thing.”
    “I can bring to mind at least two people who are sufficiently disturbed to act without rhyme or reason.”
    Cecily shook her head. “If you are referring to Colonel Fortescue, I agree he can be somewhat unstable at times, but he is certainly harmless.”
    “Perhaps. And Lady