The Inheritance - Across The Pond: Book 2, #2

By Chip Smith

Jo Stewart's adventures continue in Scotland and in the United States from Book One. Conspiracy, murder and betrayal challenge Jo, Jamie and her friend Mary, more than ever before. From Scotland to San Diego, California, they are put to the test.  

• Language: English
• Publisher: ChipSmith
• Release date: Feb 16, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224300525

Chip Smith

Chip Smith lives in  Memphis, Tennessee with his wife of  50 years. He has written nine novels, eight of which are mystery and romance tales set in England from the Victorian Era through World War II and into the contemporary era. The ninth is a Christian Historical Fiction novel set in the first century. In his retirement, Chip has become a landscape artist, sculptor and author. An avid reader himself, he hopes his books will transport the reader to other times and places, while creating mysteries they don't ever want to put down.

Book preview

Authors note:  Please read Book One before you read Book Two.

Chapter One

P ush, Jo. Just one more time, the nurse called out.

You can do this, Jamie Coates encouraged his wife.

With her most determined effort, Jo pushed. Then she heard the cry of her new baby girl, to be named Julia after her mother. The only sadness in the day was that Jo’s mother and father never lived to see their grandchild born.

The name Julia didn’t last long, however. It was Jules from day two. Jamie took credit for the nickname. She’s as perfect as a jewel, he said. That was all it took.

Jamie was nervously expecting the birth. But the minute their daughter popped out; his eyes overflowed with joy. You did it, love. She’s almost as beautiful as you.

I’m not looking my best at the moment. I feel like a beached whale.

It was a difficult delivery. Jo was in labor for twenty-eight hours. The doctors grew increasingly concerned. The stress on Jo and the baby were on the verge of becoming critical when Jo’s last push saved the day.

Jamie had never been so afraid as on that day. The thought of losing Jo and his daughter inspired him to make a bargain with God. Lord, if you save my family, I will pay more attention to Jo’s faith. I hope that doesn’t mean going to church every Sunday. It occurred to Jamie that sitting in a pew once a week might not be the most important part of the bargain.

After the successful delivery, Jo was extremely weak. She fell asleep even before she had time to hold her daughter. That situation was remedied two hours later when the nurse brought Jules back from the nursery.

It was love at first sight. Jamie, she’s so beautiful. Sorry I snoozed out on you. She’s a miracle.

God and I did a little bargaining while you were struggling, Jamie said. I’ll tell you about it later.

It didn’t take long for Mary and Sean McKinney to arrive at the hospital to welcome Jules into the world. An hour later, Brice joined the party. You gave us a scare, Mary said. Jamie filled us in.

I admit to being scared, Jo said. But Jamie and the nurses kept encouraging me. I don’t know how I would have done if it weren’t for them. Our Julia is worth it all.

During Jo’s months of pregnancy, the team at Sherlock Detective Agency had been busy. Even Jo participated in Brice’s defensive driving classes. Everyone could now perform evasive maneuvers in compact sedans and large Range Rovers.

Sean was rapidly becoming an expert in surveillance technology and its applications. He had a friend who specialized in that field in the government and was introduced to the best equipment and methodologies. Those skills would serve the office well in the future.

Mary was a natural with their clients and learned how to gain the cooperation of local law enforcement with a minimum of ruffled feathers. She surprised herself with her organizational skills.

Jo was the best shot of the group, whether it was with pistols or assault rifles. Her references to Annie Oakley fell on deaf ears. Only Mary understood the American reference. Brice and Jamie, as trained police officers, were impressed with Jo’s abilities. I know who to invite to a gunfight, Jamie said jokingly at the range one day.

Don’t even kid about that. The last time we had guns in our faces was no laughing matter, Jo said.

As the months passed, Jo was in love with being a mother. But she missed being involved with the new cases, too. Jules was sleeping through the night and Jamie and Jo were less blurry-eyed each new week. When Jules turns one, I want to hire a nanny part time, so I can get back into the office, Jo announced one night while she and Jamie were eating dinner together. Maybe just three days a week.

That’s sounds great. You and Mary can investigate the nanny situation. It’ll be good to have you back, Jamie smiled. You are the best mother, but I’m sure some adult conversation during the day will be nice for you.

In the meantime, the Sherlock Detective Agency was growing rapidly. They had little time to do advertising because word of mouth was proving to be the best source of new clients.

Their most recent case uncovered a government official who was embezzling money from the treasury to the tune of millions of pounds. Wisely, they took the case on a contingency basis. Their fees were based on the amount of funds they recovered. It proved to be a lucrative arrangement.

Just before Jules turned one, Mary found a promising prospect for a nanny. Her name was Elsie McCain. At twenty, Elsie had glowing recommendations from other families she had served. She was determined to quit in order to get her degree in early childhood education. Being a full-time nanny wouldn’t work with her schooling.

When Mary called her and told Elise that she could work three days a week, mostly in the afternoon, she was glad to accept the position. Within days, she and Jo developed a successful relationship. Perhaps because Jules had been abandoned and raised in a foster home, much like Jo.

So, your parents were killed in a car accident, and you lived with two foster families. Then you inherited this magnificent estate from an uncle you never knew, Elise said with astonishment. That’s a remarkable story. You should write a book about it.

That’s only half the story, Jo smiled. I hope your life has been less dramatic. What drew you to becoming a nanny? Jo asked.

My mother was a nanny for most of her life until she passed. I suppose it was all I knew. Much to my surprise, I love it. It’s an opportunity to help mold a young person’s life and bring some joy into their lives. Most of the parents I’ve worked for are wonderful. But some are just wrapped up with their careers and abdicate their role as parents. Their children receive all the love I can offer, Elise said.

Over the next year, Jo gradually increased her time at the agency. She and Jamie worked cases together and were a talented team. Elise was wonderful with Jules, and they developed a close bond. But the girl was never confused about who her mother was. Jo made certain of that. Her hours allowed Elise time to attend classes to further her education, and it wasn’t long before Jo and Jamie saw her as part of the family.

It was a Tuesday when Mary answered the call. A clearly nervous man wanted to make an appointment later that day. I can’t talk about it on the phone, but I need your help.

Would four this afternoon work for you? Mary asked.

That works for me.

May I have your name, please?

No. Not until I know I can trust you. The line went dead.

Curious, Mary thought. She got up and made some coffee, which had supplanted tea for her Scottish partners. The colonies have prevailed; she laughed to herself.

It was almost four o’clock, when Mary saw a man about forty, look purposefully at the office and started to cross the street. When the man was halfway, Mary saw a silver Mercedes pull out from the curb. The driver mashed the accelerator to the floor, smoking the rear tires. The roar of the Merc’s powerful V-8 made the pedestrian look over his shoulder, but he was too late. It bore down on him at a viscous speed. The sight was horrific. Man, and machine collided, throwing the victim over the hood of the car with a sickening sound.

Mary was horrified and raced out of the office door. The car raced off after the impact and her possible new client lay sprawled in the street. Traffic in both directions came to a halt, allowing Mary to bend over the bloody body.

Amazingly, he was not dead. Not for the moment, at least. Mary bent down. Help is on the way, she said, while dialing 999 on her cell phone. He tried to speak but could only whisper. I knew I was in trouble. There is no one to trust.

Those were to be his last words. By the time the paramedics arrived with its siren blaring, it was too late to save him. Moments later, the police arrived at the scene. An officer approached Mary, whose hands were covered in blood. What happened here?

This was no accident, Mary insisted. He was run over deliberately.

Why do you say that?

Mary described what she saw in clear detail. I think he was coming to our office, she said, pointing across the street.

You work with Jamie Coates? He and I worked together before he started your agency. You must be Jo?

No, I’m Mary McKinney. Sean, my husband, and I are partners with Jo and Jamie, along with Brice Craig.

It looks like there is nothing that can be done for the victim. Would you mind if my partner and I came to your office to talk further?

Of course, Mary said. Just then, Jo and Jamie walked toward them. They were out of the office on a case when they came upon the scene. Jamie recognized the officer talking to Mary.

William, it’s good to see you, but for the circumstances. Mary, are you all right? seeing the blood on her hands.

Yes. But I saw the whole thing. I think this is the man who called for an appointment. He was murdered right in front of me.

Jamie, I was asking if my partner and I could go to your office and discuss this further, William said.

Let’s go then, Jamie said.

William and his rookie partner took a seat at the conference table. The young officer was a slightly green color. The accident scene was a first for him. So, Mary, you think our victim might have been coming to see you about a potential case? William asked. What makes you think that?

I got a call earlier from a man who wouldn’t give his name or tell me why he wanted an appointment. The man who was run down was heading to our front door at the precise time he was to be here. I’m ninety percent sure.

The young officer’s walkie-talkie buzzed. The deceased has no identification on his person. Just thought you’d want to know, said the disembodied voice.

Thank you.

"Seems like we have a real mystery on our hands. Maybe you know a good