"They're lying, lying, lying," Robin said emphatically as he stroked Snowball, who was sitting on his lap. "It's a bunch of hogwash, isn't it, Little John?"
Joe and Mandie had gone over early the next morning to talk over last night's conversation. Mandie watched Anna grow paler and more silent.
"Surely, he wouldn't have kept money like that…" Anna's lips compressed in a tight line. "But what of that inheritance Father talked about? Oh, if only I knew what he'd meant. Robin, did he ever tell you anything, anything at all about money?"
Robin frowned darkly. "I know Father and Mother wouldn't steal. And you should know that too."
"I know they were good people, the best," Anna said softly. "But that won't convince Father's parents to believe us."
"If we found out what really happened to the missing money, that would convince them," Mandie said.
Anna threw up her hands. "But how could we possibly do that after all these years?"
"Mandie is an experienced mystery solver at this point," Joe said.
"Plus, I have one of my best helpers with me." Mandie smiled at Joe, who grinned back. "Besides Mr. Barnes, was there anyone your father talked often with? Anyone who was his friend before he met your mother even?"
"Hmm, yes, there was a doctor that he used to visit sometimes when he wanted business advice. He had this doctor help him draw up the partnership contract with Mr. Barnes. He lived in Beaufort, but Father always just called him Doc. Perhaps he has some paperwork here at the house that would tell us his full name."
"I'll look!" Robin offered, and setting down Snowball hastily, he fled the sitting room.
"I wish the Stevenses would agree to see me," Anna said. "If they did, maybe they'd realize how useless it is to take Robin from me if they want a good relationship with him, but the lawyer says they refuse to meet in person."
When Robin came back, he carried a letter with him, which he held up in the air triumphantly. "Dr. Blair—see!" He thrust the letter at Mandie, his finger at the name mid-paragraph. The letter was signed by their father to their mother, saying how he'd be back from Dr. Blair's place in another few days. What interested Mandie most was the handwriting—it looked exactly the same as on the envelope she'd seen in Mr. Barnes's desk drawer.
"I'll try contacting this Dr. Blair," Joe said, frowning a little at Mandie's clear absorption of the letter. "Perhaps he can help shed some light. In the meantime, have you any more questions about the contract I drew up for you and Mr. Barnes?"
"No," Anna said, "but I won't sign it. I know you said it is only fair for my father's share of the business, but I would still feel indebted to Mr. Barnes, and under the circumstances, I couldn't do it."
Joe looked ready to protest, but Mandie cut in. "I understand, and hopefully something will come up soon where money won't be such an issue."
Once Mandie and Joe had left the house, Joe raised his eyebrows at Mandie. "All right, what is it? I can see your mind working—what hunch are you pursuing now?"
"The handwriting on that letter Robin showed us is exactly the same as the one in Mr. Barnes's desk. I'm sure of it. Why would Mr. Barnes have a letter of Anna's father addressed to her? Perhaps Robin is right, and he does know something of that inheritance and doesn't wish to disclose it—unless he succeeds in marrying Anna."
Joe whistled. "That's a serious accusation. We don't even know if Anna might have seen that letter before. After all, the bookstore was her father's business too. Maybe Mr. Barnes hasn't cleaned out the desk fully."
"It was right on the top."
"We could have Anna ask after it."
"No, he won't give the letter up, or he'll hand over the envelope empty. You saw his reaction when I found it." If only she could find out what was inside that envelope without him knowing…
Joe touched her arm. "Mandie, don't go making trouble. If Mr. Barnes is withholding something, he could be dangerous. So, no snooping around. We can at least concentrate on finding Dr. Blair first before worrying about that letter too much."
Mandie sighed and fought the urge to stomp her foot. "I suppose you're right."
"Right." Joe nodded, then launched into how they could find out about Dr. Blair's exact whereabouts, but Mandie only half-listened.
Despite all Mandie's ponderings on the envelope, she formed no solution to her problem. Thankfully Joe had some better luck after supper that evening. After calling the county records in Beaufort and then a clinic there, he was given a neighborhood name where Dr. Blair was said to still live, but that's as far as his telephone inquiries took him. With little other leads to go on, Joe decided to make a personal visit to Beaufort and try to arrange an interview with Dr. Blair.
"I'll try to get back as soon as possible," Joe said as he returned to the parlor settee where Mandie sat. "And I'll call tomorrow."
Mandie tried to squash down her disappointment with good grace and a smile. It must be nice to be able to get up and go within a minute's notice. Unlike Mandie, who without anyone readily available to chaperone, had to stay behind. "I hope this Dr. Blair will be able to help us. Thanks for going, Joe."
Joe leaned closer to get a better view of Mandie's face as she stared at the floor. "Promise you won't do anything rash while I'm gone?"
Something about his question irritated her, or maybe it was the tone, like that protective side of his could assume. His serious brown eyes suddenly took on a teasing twinkle. "Because if you're arrested for breaking and entering Mr. Barnes' place, I can't negotiate for bail if I'm not here."
Mandie laughed. The levity brought a happy relief to her negative feelings, but also a thrill zinged through her as she held Joe's gaze. She was glad to see the old Joe back, that was all. Or was this the same old Joe...?
Joe cleared his throat and straightened up, breaking eye contact. "I'll have to pack soon, I guess. The train leaves early."
Mandie inwardly frowned at herself. How long had she been staring? She wished she'd quit being so analytical when it came to him. Maybe the time apart would be good for them both.