A/n: You know, I've been thinking. I've already got all these faithful readers and reviewers for MVR, why try writing a whole new story where I have to build up another following XD. I just decided I'll continue this one.
Remember the whole six months later from earlier? Scratch that, change it to three months later, you'll see why.
If you would R&R In the Arms of a Killer, I'd be forever grateful!
Disclaimer: The characters you do recognize? Not mine. The characters you don't recognize? Mine.
Chapter Fourteen
The Barker family sat in the parlor with their new gifts. "I have another surprise for you ladies," Ben said. "We've been invited to some old friends of mine for dinner, the Puddlemere's."
"Hey, I know them!" Lindsey said. "They knew the Wrights rather well."
"Did you like them?" Nellie asked.
Lindsey gave a small laugh then said, "No."
"Why not?" Johanna asked.
"You'll see tonight, now won't you?"
"Be nice Lindsey," Ben said. "Thomas Puddlemere and I were in school together, and I've known his wife Victoria for quite some time as well, she and Lucy were friends."
"Yes, I suppose they're okay," Lindsey said. "Though Victoria Puddlemere's an awful gossip. Thomas Puddlemere always has too much to drink at these affairs, but it's actually quite amusing. But their son Leo? He's hopeless. Always moping around, staring at some pretty girl. Watch your back tonight Johanna, he has a thing for blondes."
"I'll keep my distance," Johanna said.
"You should've seen him around Analiese Wright, he could never take his eyes off her. Their older son, Jonathan, now he's okay. But Emily's annoying as can be."
"I think Victoria Puddlemere came into my shop once," Nellie said. "She seemed rather…well…nosy."
"It's certainly going to be an interesting evening," Amaria said, finally speaking up.
So the Barker family dressed in their warmest cloaks. It wasn't a snowy Christmas, but it was rainy and cold. They hired a coach and drove back into London for the dinner no one but Ben seemed excited about.
The man who greeted them at the door was rather portly, with gray hair that was balding slightly. He looked much older than Ben even though he'd said they'd been at school together. "Benjamin my boy!" he exclaimed. "And this must be the misses, it's lovely to meet you…Nellie is it?"
Nellie nodded. "It's a pleasure to meet you too, Mr. Puddlemere."
He waved his hand. "Please, call me Thomas, I insist. That goes for you three beauties as well. Are these your daughters Ben?"
"Yes," he said, "This is…"
Thomas cut him off with booming laughter. "Where are my manners? Please, come in, I'll tell the others you're here."
He left the five Barkers standing in the hallway. "Well," Lindsey said, "It would seem as if Thomas Puddlemere has started on the brandy without us."
"I'll say," Nellie said. "I thought he'd never invite us in."
Thomas returned with three others in tow. One, a small, slender woman with long brown hair, twisted into a knot at the base of her neck, was clearly Victoria. The taller of the two boys, with unkempt black hair, was introduced as Jonathan. The mopey looking one with brown hair like his mother, was Leo. And the little brunette, who looked no older than seven, was Emily.
"Well Ben I've introduced you to my family, how about you introduce us to yours?"
"Of course," Ben said, "This is my wife Nellie."
"Charmed, I'm sure," Victoria said, turning her nose up slightly. "I must say I was terribly sorry to hear about Lucy. She was such a wonderful woman, it's so awful she died so young."
Ben looked uncomfortable at the mention of his first wife. He turned to Nellie, who nodded her head slightly, letting him know it was okay.
"These are my daughters, Johanna, Amaria, and…"
"Lindsey Wright?" Victoria spoke up again.
"Actually, as it would turn out, I was not Samuel and Larissa's daughter at all. They took me from my mother at a very young age."
"Really?" Victoria said, "They never seemed the type to do something so awful. They've been on holiday by the sea for quite some time now. We're not sure if they'll ever come back."
The Barker's looked at each other, each urging another to speak up.
"Well, you see," Amaria said, "There was a terrible hurricane, and, God rest their souls…it was such a tragedy…the storm claimed four lives and…Samuel and Larissa's were two of them. It was dreadfully sad."
The others gaped at her. She truly sounded as if she thought the Wright's death tragic.
"Oh. That is terrible. Did you know they were in town?" Victoria said, turning to Lindsey.
"Not until they mentioned those killed in the storm. Johanna's husband was another."
"You were married?" Leo said, speaking up for the first time.
"Yes, yes I was," Johanna said.
"I can see why," Leo responded, "You're very pretty."
Lindsey gave her sister an I told you so look. Johanna looked slightly frightened.
"Well now," Thomas Puddlemere spoke up, breaking the awkward silence, "Shall we go into the dining room?"
They rest followed, grateful for a distraction from the awkwardness. Little did they know that an awkward silence would be the least of their problems.
A/n: Urgh…I'm at a writers block for this one. AND I REALLY WANT TO CONTINUE IN THE ARMS OF A KILLER! Review my sweet ducklings? I'd appreciate it. And please tell me someone got the Puddlemere United joke with the chapter title!