High Marks for Murder (A Bellehaven House Mystery Book 1) by Kate Kingsbury

instigating a riot in there. In front of our new instructress, as well. I just know she'll go to Stuart Hamilton with this. He'll be most displeased."
    Felicity sniffed. "Is that what you're concerned about? That Hamilton will think poorly of us? Well, let him! He might own this school, but he has no say in the way we conduct our classes."
    "He does have a say in who remains here as an instructress, however." Meredith frowned at her. "I should hate to give him cause to question the integrity of any one of us."
    Felicity smiled. "You worry far too much, Meredith. Like this business over Kathleen's death. I know how much you miss her, but she's gone, and there's nothing you can do to help her now. Once the funeral is over tomorrow and she is finally buried, you will feel better, I promise you."
    Meredith seriously doubted that. In fact, she felt a sense of urgency, as if she had to find out who was responsible for Kathleen's death before her friend's coffin was lowered into the ground.
    Maybe that's what Kathleen wanted, too. She should have realized that earlier. Could it be that Kathleen was trying to tell her who had killed her? The idea was so unsettling, she gasped out loud.
    Felicity paused, and looked back at her. "What is it? Tummy ache? Always happens to me when I get upset. I have some milk of magnesia in my room. That usually helps calm the collywobbles."
    For a moment Meredith was tempted to share her revelation, then thought better of it. Convincing her friend that Kathleen's ghost existed was as feasible as flying to the moon. "Just a momentary twinge in my stomach," she assured her. "It's gone now."
    "You need to eat." Felicity took hold of her arm. "Come, let us see what Mrs. Wilkins is cooking up for us. It's almost mealtime anyway."
    Meredith allowed herself to be pulled toward the kitchen, though her appetite seemed to have deserted her. She needed time to think. Somewhere in her brief encounters with Kathleen's ghost, she felt certain there lay a clue that would guide her to whoever had attacked her friend and left her to die all alone. Now she had to determine what that clue was, and where it would lead.
    Mrs. Wilkins greeted them both when they entered thewarm, fragrant kitchen. After offering them a hot cup of a tea and a buttered scone, she turned to Meredith. "I've been meaning to have a word with you, Mrs. Llewellyn. It has to do with my maids."
    "Oh, dear." Seated at the table, Meredith sipped a mouthful of tea and replaced the cup in its saucer. "What trouble are they in now?"
    Mrs. Wilkins shook her head in mock despair. "Playing truant, that's what. Miss Fingle punished them by taking away their days off this week and next, but that's not what I wanted to tell you." She glanced at Felicity, as if wary of continuing in front of her.
    "Fire ahead." Felicity waved her half-eaten scone at her. "I won't interfere."
    Seemingly reassured by Meredith's nod of agreement, Mrs. Wilkins dug in the pocket of her apron and pulled out a handkerchief. After blowing her nose, she tucked it back out of sight. "Well, it's like this. Olivia says they saw one of our pupils having a nasty argument with Mr. Silkwood out on the street. Going at it hammer and tongs, they was, according to Olivia."
    Meredith stared at her. "Victor Silkwood? Who was the girl?"
    "Olivia didn't know her name. Just that she recognized her as coming from Bellehaven. I wouldn't have thought twice about it, except I wouldn't want there to be any trouble with Mr. Silkwood and the school, seeing as how he's on the council, and all."
    "Quite," Meredith murmured. Victor Silkwood was a major influence, both on the school board and in the county council office. If he complained about the school or its residents, that would bring Stuart Hamilton's wrath down on her head. It was the last thing she needed right now. "I'llhave a word with Olivia when she's finished with her chores. She may be able to describe the girl."
    "Well, I wouldn't hold out too much