Chapter One
Lady Penelope Henley was eleven years old. She was very intelligent and extremely capable of managing her own life although no one would allow it. Technically, she lived with her mother at her maternal grandparents home. Her mother had met her father at nineteen. They eloped, and returned home where the marriage was promptly annulled and she was able to discover her father was also promptly jailed. She believed he was still in prison. She had found papers in her grandfather's study once that mentioned a guilty verdict. It had been underlined in red ink. She supposed she should be grateful her grandfather allowed her to stay in his home.
Her grandfather, Lord Ian Fitzroy Henley, was stern, hard nosed, and about the most unpleasant person you'd ever meet. Upon learning his daughter was in the family way, he was about to disown her but she was their only child and his wife, Lady Elinor Henley, had persuaded him to wait and see what the child (Penelope) was like.
Fortunately for her, she was pronounced the spitting image of Lord Henley's mother and she became a favored person in the household. Her great-grandmother was blonde, blue-eyed, and beautiful by all accounts. Penelope had seen the paintings and pictures of her and hoped she grew into such beauty. Her grandparents and mother were dark-haired with blue eyes but she didn't resemble them much.
Her grandfather spent an hour with her most days when she lived at home. She was the only child he tolerated. Fortunately she inherited his brain and not her grandmother's who was only interested in gossip and setting up her daughter with suitable men. Most children would have been bored discussing economics and finance but she had been fascinated about the stock market and he was the one that started her fictitious portfolio for her to manage. He taught her the ins and outs of the market and she was enchanted with business matters.
She was well aware that her grandfather was wealthy. He was born into wealth and had little tolerance for those too lazy or inept to acquire their own. She was taught his expectations of her from a young age and rarely disobeyed him.
Lady Penelope Victoria Beatrice Henley sat in the solicitor's office looking over the shelves of law books. She was given permission to amuse herself while the meeting was going on and on and on. She disliked the condescension from the adults. Despite being eleven years old, she had a crisp, sharp mind and was able to discern most of what was happening. It was the Christmas holidays and she was picked up from school and brought here. It was a three week holiday, plenty of time to do what she had planned.
She has attended the Wentworth School for Girls since she was seven years old. She was a full time boarding student. She was there for all four sessions, three of them academic and the summer session where she had tutors and instruction in horseback riding, elocution, ballet, opera, and French. It gave her a lot of free time however and there wasn't anything she enjoyed more than managing her portfolio (unfortunately still fictitious) and reading dozens of books. She always read the books required for the following term as well. Since there were usually only ten or so girls remaining during the summer, there were supervised outings and usually one or two trips to an island retreat.
Her mother and grandparents usually were abroad for the summer holidays and unwilling to have a child on hand. She was told she would be expected to travel with them upon her sixteenth birthday. She actually preferred not going. Her mother, Lady Eliza Anne Henley, was pleasant and loved her but she was completely under her grandparents' control. She never crossed them anymore. She wrote them a letter each week, including her grandmother and her mother, as required by the school. Her grandmother and even her mother rarely replied but her grandfather always did. His instructions to her were details. He took a great interest in her schooling.
She generally spent three weeks over Christmas at home and two weeks at the end of summer. She was doted on and punctually returned to school at the end of her visit. She used to watch the girls that rebelled or acted out while at school but she was a Henley as her grandfather always told her she was above that nonsense so she was publicly agreeable although privately she was hoping to go away to university when she graduated.
Due to her attendance during the summer session she was two years ahead in school and she was hoping to be three years ahead soon so she could have independent schooling for her remaining years. It was mandatory in Britain for her to continue in schooling until she was eighteen.
Unfortunately life wasn't predictable and in October her grandmother died from heart failure at the age of sixty-one. It had been an unwelcome shock to the family. She was sent home for a week to attend the funeral. In November, her grandfather and mother were killed in a car accident and she was now under the legal guardianship of the family's solicitor, Ethan Landsford, until she was eighteen. It had been decided that she would continue her education at the Wentworth School for Girls until she reached her majority. She mourned privately and if she was quieter than usual it was expected. It had been six weeks since she was orphaned and upon returning to school she immediately began seeking information.
She had always been inquisitive and now she wished to discover everything she could about her father. He was her only remaining family and she wanted to know why he was in prison. She knew she couldn't hire a private investigator because she had been cautioned all her life about airing family business and trusting outsiders. She actually didn't trust very many people. By observing she learned that most people are self-serving. Nothing wrong with taking care of number one but she didn't want to be taken advantage of by people wanting to swindle her, use her, or otherwise be detrimental to her well being. It was also illegal for a minor to hire an investigator on her own. This was to prevent minors from being swindled.
Two years ago she accidentally found and read a mystery novel by JB Fletcher. It was now her favorite book. She immediately ordered the entire collection and she reread the books often. She also began searching for her in the library and reading older newspapers. She didn't learn much about her private life outside of generalities but her exploits with murder cases were fodder for the media. She hoped that Jessica Fletcher would help her. For the first time in her life she was putting her faith in someone on her terms. Carefully studying the books gave her many details regarding surveillance, disappearing, identity theft, and more.
Looking cautiously at the closed door, she walked over to a desk and started going through the drawers. Not finding what she wanted she wandered into another room where the receptionist was talking on the phone. It was obviously a personal call so she cleared her throat.
"Excuse me, might I have a sheet of paper and an envelope?"
The receptionist opened a drawer and took out a plain white sheet of paper and an envelope.
"I was hoping for a letterhead. I must write to my headmaster."
The receptionist was annoyed with the interruption and hurriedly found a few sheets of thick, embossed letterhead paper and handed it to her. Penelope thanked her and left.
Another thing she had learned early in life. Children annoy most adults when they are busy or not in the mood to be bothered and would generally just give you what you want to get rid of you. She walked to another office and sat at a computer. She was not able to get into files but she just wanted to type a letter and that was done easily enough. She printed the paper onto a sheet with the letterhead and looked it over. She had practiced it over and over at school until it was perfect. She deleted any evidence that she had written a letter, even erasing the history. The receptionist was still on the phone so she was able to walk by without notice and she crept along until she came to her solicitor's empty office. She had been inside before and immediately opened the top drawer and took out his signature stamp. Applying it to the letter, she sealed it in the envelope and slipped it into her backpack with the remaining sheets of paper.
She returned to the clerk's office and picked up a newspaper. They had subscriptions to most of the broadsheets and tabloids. There on the front page of the London Times was a picture of Jessica Fletcher. She was arriving in town and would have a few holiday book signings. She would be staying at The Savoy.
She looked at the closed door again. Generally meetings ran at least an hour or more and it had only been thirty minutes or so. She picked up her backpack again. She was wearing her school uniform still so she would probably be unnoticeable outside. She slipped outside the office to the elevators. She was on the street within minutes and turned left. From reading her favorite mystery writer, she had learned how to not leave a trail. She walked six blocks to a very busy intersection and hailed a cab.
"The Savoy, please." She said climbing into the back seat. It was a ten minute drive and she paid with cash and quickly entered the luxurious lobby. She went straight to the front desk, ignoring others in line as she marched to the first available person behind the counter.
"My father would like you to give this to Mrs. Fletcher when she arrives."
The clerk, a young man in his early twenties, looked down his nose at her.
"Please confirm, my father sent me in here because he's double parked outside."
The clerk felt the heavy embossed envelope and knew it was costly so he quickly nodded at the young girl who ran back outside. He put the envelope in the box with Jessica Fletcher's room number and called the next person in line. He immediately forgot about the girl.
Jessica Fletcher found herself in the arms of Chief Inspector George Sutherland. She had just exited her flight from Boston to Heathrow Airport, waiting patiently to get through customs and walked into the terminal.
"George," She breathed into his ear. "It's so good to see you."
"Lass, you're a sight to behold," He pulled out of the hug to look her over. She was wearing one of her favorite blue suits with her pearls around her neck and matching earrings. He kissed her lips softly and smiled at her.
Jessica was surprised. He usually kissed her cheek. This might prove to be an interesting trip. He took her overnight bag and wrapped an arm around her waist as they headed toward baggage claim.
"I know you're here to work but I'm looking forward to spending the holidays with you." He stroked her cheek while looking into her eyes.
"I do have Christmas Eve, Christmas, and the day after open just for you," she replied. She felt him squeeze her waist.
George drove her to her hotel, The Savoy, her favorite in London and nodded to the doorman who directed the valet to park his car just to the side of the entrance. He took her hand as he walked her to the front desk. She was handed an envelope as well as her room key and he escorted Jessica upstairs to her room.
The room didn't disappoint. It was lavishly appointed and he took a seat on the couch while she opened her mail.
"What is it?" he asked as she frowned.
"This letter is from Salesbury, Landsford, and Prewitt, the law firm. They would like to see me downstairs tomorrow at 3 PM if possible. It seems I inherited something from someone," she answered.
George whistled. "That's one of the most prestigious firms in London, in all of Britain. You must have inherited millions."
"I don't know many people here, George, and no one that has died, I don't think," remarked Jessica. She handed the letter over to him.
George read it and handed it back. "I would guess it's the real deal, lass. That paper probably costs ten dollars per sheet."
"Well, I'll find out tomorrow. They want to see me in room 113 and told me I could bring along anyone I wish so I'm hoping you'll accompany me."
"It would immediately satisfy my curiosity," agreed George. "What is taking your luggage so long? Usually the bellman is here almost immediately."
"It's the holiday season, George. It's busier than usual." She took a seat beside him. "Surely we can find something to do to pass the time?"
George smiled widely. "Yes, my dear, I think we can." He leaned forward and kissed her, deepening it almost immediately. Jessica instantly succumbed. She had missed George and hadn't seen him since he came out to see her for her birthday in March.
Acting like teenagers was invigorating. It had been a long time since she just let herself go and enjoyed the moment. Shivers ran down her spine as his hands caressed her arms. He began kissing behind her ear, inhaling her delightful perfume when knocking was heard at the door.
"Perfect timing," he grumbled. He gathered in the luggage, tipped the porter, and shut the door. "Shall I put these in your bedroom?"
"You'll do anything to get into my bedroom, won't you?" she teased.
"Yes, I would," he answered honestly, carrying all three bags at once. "Would you care to go to dinner?"
"I'm pretty tired," she asked. "I had to wake up at three thirty this morning to catch my flight and I'll need to wake up at five-thirty in the morning to take a phone call."
"You need to eat, love."
"I'll order up a sandwich or something. Why don't we have dinner tomorrow?"
"Or breakfast," he stated, walking over and pulling her into his arms.
Jessica stared at him. He was being pretty direct today. She always knew he wanted her, was fond of her but he wasn't usually so candid.
"Why don't I leave you to unpack? I'll see you tomorrow afternoon." He kissed her forehead and turned to leave.
"Wait, George." He stopped at the door and turned back to her.
"Traveling through time zones doesn't leave me feeling my best. Why don't we take a raincheck until tomorrow evening." She watched his eyes fill with hope. His smile couldn't be brighter as he left.
Jessica called room service and ordered up a pot of tea and some sandwiches and began running a bath. It didn't take long for her food to arrive and she ate hungrily while soaking in the tub. She climbed out and dried off, staring at her body in the mirror. She wondered what George would think. She wasn't in her twenties any longer but she felt she held up pretty well.
Years earlier she would be having meetings the day after her arrival, often even the same day but she decided it was in her best interest to arrive a day or two early so she could adjust to the time zone so she wasn't immediately off kilter. She would have to wake early but after her phone call she would have a light day. She had already ordered a massage in her room in the morning followed by a leisurely breakfast before making more phone calls until lunch. She was free in the afternoon so meeting with the lawyers at three worked into her schedule very well.
It was an early night for her and she climbed into bed tired. As she drifted off to sleep she wondered what she inherited and from whom.
