The Green Knight

By Laura Ware

When Joanne Edwards is asked to relocate a missing chess piece by the wealthy Carole Holt, she jumps at the chance to make some money. She doesn't expect to be drawn into a family conflict that lurks beneath the surface. She learns that the chess piece carries a secret - a secret that will tear the family apart if discovered. And some are determined to ensure it never comes to light.

• Language: English
• Publisher: JJ Press
• Release date: Mar 8, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370597543

Laura Ware

Laura Ware writes in a variety of genres. Her novels are mostly inspirational fiction, although she is currently working on a fantasy series as well. Her short fiction ranges from mainstream to fantasy/science fiction and several things in between. Her stories have been published in a number of Fiction River anthologies, including Past Crime, Last Stand, Editor’s Choice and Feel the Fear. Laura also writes a weekly column for the Highlands News-Sun and her essay “Touched by an Angel” was published in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Random Acts of Kindness in 2017.

Book preview

THE GREEN KNIGHT

COPYRIGHT INFORMATION

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

START READING

So I’m looking at my checkbook and the pile of bills on my desk, wondering which ones I’ll pay this month, when Bonnie buzzes in. There’s a Carole Holt out here to see you.

I frown and glance at the desk calendar Bonnie insisted I needed but which mostly keeps the coffee stains off the desk’s surface. Does she have an appointment?

No, ma’am. Shall I ask her to make one?

I know Bonnie’s thinking that at this stage of the game we need clients, appointments or not, but she’s obviously got this gal in front of her and is pretending I run the place.

No, go ahead, send her in, I say. I quickly sweep the checkbook and bills into my center drawer and try to look like a world-class private investigator instead of someone barely hanging on by her fingernails.

The woman who walks into my office is big. She’s got curly blond hair and is dressed in a pantsuit that could probably pay off my outstanding bills in a heartbeat. I catch a whiff of perfume – Estee Lauder’s White Linen, I think. She’s holding a rosewood box clutched to her ample chest as she takes in my office.

Okay, the place is nothing to brag about. The furniture is secondhand, the window gives a great view of the back of the strip mall, and despite Bonnie’s and my scrubbing there’s still an underlying smell of cigarette smoke from the pervious renter. But hey, I can afford it.

I stand up and plaster a smile on my face. Hi. I’m Joanne Edwards.

The woman looks at my outstretched hand and then briefly shakes it. Carole Holt. She discreetly swipes at the seat of the wooden chair in front of my desk before sitting down.

I pull a yellow legal pad in front of me and write down my potential client’s name. What can we do for you, Ms. Holt?

She shifts in the chair, the wooden box now on her lap. Her bejeweled fingers play with a corner of the lid. Captain Robinson says you are a good investigator.

That’s kind of him, I answer. Miles Robinson is a member of the St. Petersburg police department. We dated a couple of times before he got married. He sends me work from time to time, and we still get along.

I need to know that you’ll be discreet, Holt continues. This is a…delicate matter.

I fold my hands on my desk so I don’t clench my fists. Getting information from this woman is like pulling teeth. Ms. Holt, I assure you that I will be totally professional. That includes being discreet. Now, if I can know the nature of your problem…?

She sighs. I need you to locate something for me. She opens up the rosewood box and tilts it towards me so I can see the contents.

It’s a chess set. A beautiful one, to be sure. The pieces are white and green and intricately carved. They sit on a bed of deep green velvet.

I immediately notice that one of the green pieces is missing. A knight, if I remember the lingo. You want me to find a missing chess piece? I ask, trying to keep the disbelief from my voice.

Holt stiffens – I guess she picked up something in my tone. This is an ivory and jade chess set, quite valuable. That one piece could fetch several hundred dollars on its own.

Okay, I think. Out loud I ask, Is there a chance it was just misplaced?

She shakes her head. Impossible. I am quite sure it has been stolen.

I reach over and pick up the remaining green knight. It has some weight to it as it rests in my hand. I turn it this way and that. Do you have any idea who would take it? And why?

For a moment Holt hesitates. Then she admits, There are several people who come to mind. My ex-husband. My son-in-law. Perhaps my daughter, though I find that difficult to believe.

I place the chess piece on my desk and scribble a few notes on my legal pad. But why take the one piece? Why not grab the whole set?

I have no idea, she says quickly. Perhaps because it was easier to take one piece and conceal it. The important thing is someone did take it.

Her answer sets off a faint alarm bell. I can tell she’s not being totally upfront with me. That’s never a good thing with a client.

Part of me wants to push, tell her to cough up the details or find another investigator. The memory of the checkbook and bills in my desk drawer keep me from doing that. So I act like I buy her answer