Murder Under A British Moon: A Mona Moon Mystery, #9

Books By Abigail Keam

Josiah Reynolds Mysteries

Death By A HoneyBee I

Death By Drowning II

Death By Bridle III

Death By Bourbon IV

Death By Lotto V

Death By Chocolate VI

Death By Haunting VII

Death By Derby VIII

Death By Design IX

Death By Malice X

Death By Drama XI

Death By Stalking XII

Death By Deceit XIII

Death By Magic XIV

Death By Shock XV

Death By Chance XVI

Death By Poison XVII

Death By Greed XVIII

The Mona Moon Mystery Series

Murder Under A Blue Moon I

Murder Under A Blood Moon II

Murder Under A Bad Moon III

Murder Under A Silver Moon IV

Murder Under A Wolf Moon V

Murder Under A Black Moon VI

Murder Under A Full Moon VII

Murder Under A New Moon VIII

Murder Under A British Moon IX

Murder Under A Bridal Moon X

Last Chance For Love Romance Series

Last Chance Motel I

Gasping For Air II

The Siren’s Call III

Hard Landing IV

The Mermaid’s Carol V

Prologue

He spoke English, French, German, Italian, Polish, and Hindi like a native. Because his features were bland, he could blend in anywhere and not be noticed. He had bribed contacts at Brynelleth and secreted a way into the ancient manor without being detected. As an SS agent from Sicherheitsdienst, he had been ordered to persuade, coerce, threaten, or blackmail Mona Moon into signing copper contracts with the Third Reich. If not, he was to neutralize her. Maybe a new head of Moon Enterprises would be more amenable to their needs. The Germans needed vast amounts of the ore for their weapons rearmament. After all, they had a world to conquer.

1

Mona, Robert, and Violet stood on the deck as the steamship was docking in Plymouth, southwest England. A crowd stood on the pier waving handkerchiefs as the ship’s passengers threw confetti and streamers on those below in a gasp of welcoming exhilaration.

Excited, Violet grasped Mona’s hand. Oh, Miss, I can’t believe we are in Great Britain again and going to see Brynelleth. I’m shivering with anticipation.

I hope it lives up to your expectation, Violet, Robert said. You may be disappointed.

Oh, it will. It will.

Smiling at Violet’s enthusiasm, Robert turned to Mona. I’m going to get our trunks ready, darling. I shan’t be long. He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.

Mona, a little more circumspect, scanned the crowd below and spotted Mr. Dankworth and Mr. Madgwick, solicitors for the Brynelleth estate. Her heart sank, but she maintained a composed appearance, as she didn’t want to distract from Violet’s joy. Dankworth and Madgwick had previously traveled to Kentucky and tried to coerce Mona into signing onerous agreements binding her and any possible offspring she and Robert may produce. Mona refused to sign the contracts and sent the lawyers skedaddling back to Brynelleth with their tails tucked between their legs.

The SS Statendam came to a jerky halt against the pier jostling the topside passengers. Mona and Violet grabbed hold of the banister and steadied themselves while the ship came to a complete stop.

Are you ladies all right?

Mona and Violet turned to face a suave, handsome German businessman whom they had met while dining at Captain Bigl’s table. Mona answered, We are fine. Thank you for asking, Herr Ribbentrop.

May I escort you from the ship, Fraulein Moon?

Not wanting to insult her new acquaintance, Mona carefully replied, That is very gallant of you, sir, but my fiancé will be along shortly. He went in search of a porter to help with our trunks.

Very well, then. I hope to see you charming ladies in the future. He pulled out his wallet. Here is my card. I will be staying at the Savoy if you ever need my assistance while you are in London.

Mona nodded graciously and took the card.

We’re staying at the Savoy as well, Violet piped up.

Mona’s heart sank at Violet’s revelation. She had learned from President Roosevelt’s spy master, William Donovan, to beware of strangers who tried to ingratiate themselves. After her experience with German spies in Washington early this year, Mona understood why the rich and the powerful were often standoffish with outsiders. It might not be because they were rude or arrogant. It might be due to the fact they needed to be vigilant, especially since events were heating up in Europe. Ribbentrop asked too many questions, was too slick with his genteel manners, and was German. His eyes smoldered, looking like he had swallowed the canary and had to restrain himself from licking his lips.

Oh, Lordy, Robert couldn’t stand him, and it was all he could do to be polite to the man.

Then perhaps we might have dinner together during your stay?

Mona smiled graciously. It would be our pleasure, but I’m afraid we’ll be staying only one night before travelling to our destination.

And that will be Brynelleth? Ribbentrop inquired.

Mona didn’t respond.

Ignoring Mona’s hesitation, he said, I understand it is a beautiful estate. I, myself, will be venturing to the English countryside to a party at the estate of Lady Furness.

Mona extended her hand. I hope you enjoy your holiday, Herr Ribbentrop.

Ladies, I bid you adieu. Ribbentrop kissed Mona’s hand and bowed before turning to exit the ship.

Mona sighed with relief.

Violet studied Mona’s face and asked, Why don’t you like him?

You know the expression ‘a wolf in sheep’s clothing?’

Yes.

You just saw the human version of it.

I guess I shouldn’t have told him that we were staying at the Savoy.

No, Violet, you shouldn’t have. I doubt the man is staying at the Savoy. He was just trying to see where we were staying, so he took a stab in the dark.

Violet’s eyes widened. Have I put us in danger?

I don’t know except that we seem to have drawn that man’s attention for some reason. He was always hovering around us like a duck on a Junebug during the voyage. The less we say about our business, the better.

I’m sorry. I know we had a talk about this before we left Kentucky.

Yes, we did. Please take heed. Remember when Lady Alice Morrell Nithercott was kidnapped. We must take precautions.

Tears formed in Violet’s eyes.

Oh, none of that, Violet. Best foot forward. If this is the worst mistake you make in life, then you and Saint Peter will be greeting the rest of us miscreants at the pearly gates. Dry your eyes, now. Here comes Robert.

Lawrence Robert Emerton Dagobert Farley, Duke of Brynelleth, walked jauntily toward the two women. Holding out luggage tickets, he said, I got our trunks taken care of. They’ll be waiting for us on the dockside.

Mona motioned to the crowd. Mr. Dankworth and Mr. Madgwick are down below.

Robert leaned over the rail. What in the blazes are they doing here? I gave instructions that we were not to be met.

If they are here with some new contract for me to sign, I won’t, Mona said, emphatically.

Don’t worry, darling, Robert said. I’ll take care of them. He placed his hands on the small of both women’s backs. Come, ladies, let me escort you off this tin can.

Violet giggled.

Mona took a deep breath. She had no idea what awaited her, but she was anxious to see Brynelleth. She was plunging a lot of money into the estate and wanted to see what she was getting for her investment. Mona crooked her arm around Robert’s. I’m game if you are.

Chin up, eyes straight ahead, and best foot forward, m’ladies. Let’s disembark, Robert coaxed.

Mona smiled and let Robert guide her through the throng of people waiting to go ashore. Violet, hold on to my dress, so you don’t lose us.

I’m right behind you, Miss Mona. Don’t worry about me. I’m a big girl.

Mona bit her lip as she was jostled by those rushing down the gangway. She looked behind her for reassurance that the girl was in step behind them. Mona knew she was being overprotective with Violet, but had promised Violet’s mother to take care of her. Violet was a young woman now, and not a child, but still, it was difficult for Mona not to smother Violet. She felt very motherly toward her.

Violet smiled back and wiggled her way to the other side of Robert. Suddenly, Robert put his arm around Violet and pulled her out of the way of an upstart young man barging in the opposite direction of the crowd on the gangplank. Holding onto her hat, Violet declared, Goodness. How rude. That man almost knocked me into the water. Couldn’t he have waited to board until everyone had departed?

Mona didn’t reply as they were nearing the dock. She spied photographers surrounding those arriving and taking pictures.

Feeling Mona stiffen, Robert whispered, Steady, old girl, smile and be gracious. This type of thing goes with the territory. After all, an English duke arriving from the States is news for the boys from Fleet Street.

Two of the six Pinkertons, traveling incognito as Mona’s bodyguards, casually blocked the photographers from getting too close to the couple.

Surprised, Robert glanced at Mona. He knew a Pinkerton interception move when he saw one and wondered how he had never noticed the bodyguards on the ship. Are these your men?

Yes, I felt I needed them as there has been a rash of abductions in Europe. Mona didn’t tell Robert that she had been receiving death threats in the mail for several weeks now, warning her not to come. Some of the letters had been postmarked from Great Britain. It seemed that a few of the King’s loyal subjects were against the new Duke of Brynelleth marrying an American.

But that has been on the continent. Not England.

Oh, that’s right. England doesn’t have any crime, Mona replied, jokingly. Come on. Let’s see what Dankworth wants.

The three stood off to the side as Dankwork and Madgwick approached them. The men doffed their hats and gave a short bow. Your Grace. Miss Moon. They nodded to Violet.

What the devil are you men doing here? asked Robert, perturbed. I gave instructions that we were not to be met in London.

Giving an apologetic cough, Dankworth said, Yes, Your Grace. We know, Your Grace, but we have a slight problem at Brynelleth of which we wanted to make you aware.

Robert was alarmed. It’s not a fire, is it? Robert dreaded a fire at Brynelleth most of all.

Madgwick cast a glance at Dankworth. No, sir. It’s the Polish workers whom Miss Moon hired. They have gone on strike. Very little has been done, I’m afraid.

Is that all? Mona sighed with relief, but she was aware of the solicitors’ subtle dig. As she was used to handling employee complaints, Mona asked, What are their grievances?

It’s hard to understand as they don’t speak proper English, Dankworth said.

What happened to the foreman I hired? He speaks English.

We think he’s the one stirring up the workers.

Mona understood already what was happening at Brynelleth. I see. Tell the workers I will settle their disputes when I arrive at Brynelleth. They were hired by me, so I’ll handle the situation. His Grace will not need to be involved.

Both solicitors gave a glance at Robert, questioning Mona’s statement. When will that be? Mr. Dankwork finally asked, pushing up his pince-nez.

Robert answered, We will be staying in London overnight. The ladies need a rest. We should be expected before lunch tomorrow.

But Your Grace? Dankworth said.

Excuse me. Is there running water at Brynelleth? Mona asked.

Of course, Miss.

Do the bathrooms work?

Yes, Miss. The two solicitors glanced at each other. Some of them do.

Is the electricity working?

Somewhat.

Then we shall be fine. Until then, the house staff is expected to clean what they can. The gardeners tidy up what they can, and the hired laborers continue with their tasks. If they don’t, I will fire everyone when I arrive with no pay, and there will be no letters of reference. Is that understood?

Dankworth pleaded with Robert. Your Grace?

It’s Miss Moon’s money that is funding the renovation of Brynelleth, which will benefit the entire community. Let’s try to work with her, shall we, lads?

Yes, Your Grace. Both solicitors bowed in deference.

Good men. See you at Brynelleth. Chin chin, Robert said. Ladies, let’s gather our trunks and be off. Before heading to the Savoy, Mona and Robert decided to pose for the photographers and