Murder Most Egyptological (A Mrs. Xavier Stayton Mystery Book 3) by Robert Colton

mumbled something complimentary.
       After the wine was served, Lucy remarked, “I should have brought my notebook. We have so many suspects to discuss.”
       I was actually relieved that she had left her many notes behind. I wanted to clear my head of it all, just for a short time. While she viewed our business in Luxor as the outline for my next manuscript, I could not yet see the happenings around us quite so objectively. I was confident that Percy was dead, and I had every reason to believe his killer to be among the expedition team.
       With little tact, I attempted to make small talk. Lucy was generous, and no more mention of our mystery was made.
       Just as our salads were being served, the Smiths clamored into the dining hall and made their way straight to us.
       Speaking in unison, they greeted us, as two waiters rushed forward with chairs. Dr. Smith looked quite the different man dressed in a black tuxedo. Even the somewhat pudgy Wilma Smith looked smart in a simple black dress cut most modestly.
       The two, very pleasant, were skilled at producing much chatter that conveyed little information. No sooner had they placed their dinner orders, than Jacob Saunders arrived and started shoving a chair between Lucy and myself.
       “What a dinky table. Didn’t they know how many of us there would be?” The young Egyptologist pointed to a large empty table. “And look at that, Hazel’s spot isn’t even put to use while we eat like sardines.”
        Lucy offered the young man a piece of bread from the basket before her, but he waved it away. “No, thank you … Ms. Wallace, is it? Now once Alec and Martha arrive, we must be given a larger table. Alec has no control of his elbows, none whatsoever.” Jacob stood and started to call for a waiter.
       In a hushed voice, I said, “I very much doubt that the professor and his wife will join us …”
       To my surprise, the two entered the room. Stiffly, Kinkaid allowed his wife to lead him to the tiny table. The professor wore a black dinner jacket that was ill fitting and did not suit him. Martha, her black bangs dipping to her painted-on eyebrows, wore a scarlet gown with a plunging neckline. As I’m sure she intended, the effect was quite eye-catching.
       Once standing before the table, Martha cast me a demeaning glare as she said to no one in particular, “Is this some sort of joke; are we to take turns sitting?”
       Jacob pointedly ignored Martha and said, “I’ll get this solved, Alec.” He stormed off to see that we were moved.
       I was ever so embarrassed as we were all escorted to a larger table.
       Satisfied with himself, Jacob gave me a big smile and said, “Now that’s better.”
       Lucy looked about and asked, “What about Mr. Fox?”
       “Oh, he never joins us,” retorted Martha. “I don’t think he likes us. Mrs. Stayton, how did you come about employing him?”
       Alec glanced at me and looked away as I responded, “I read a number of his articles in The Science and Archeology Chronicle Quarterly . I rather fancied his style of writing. He made me feel as if I were there, wherever it was that he was writing about.”
       Martha remarked, lifting a glass of wine, “He’s a talented writer, but he’s a queer sort of fellow. Always taking notes, notes and notes and notes. Alec thought he was some sort of spy you sent to watch over us.” She raised her glass as if toasting us and then took a quick drink.
       I smiled and said, “If it puts your mind to ease, I have not received any personal correspondence from Mr. Fox.”
       Dr. Smith took the chance to change the subject. “Ladies, what do you think of Luxor?”
       Lucy gave a nervous chuckle and said, “We have not seen much of the city yet. We spent most of the afternoon with Hazel Keeley.”
       Professor Kinkaid’s jaw clenched, and his color darkened. I thought he was about to have another outburst, but he remained