Uncovering Secrets: The Third Novel in the Rosemont Series by Barbara Hinske Page B

no idea.”
    “Believe
me, the pleasure was all mine. Most fun I’ve had in I-can’t-remember-when.”
    John
and Maggie collapsed in the wing chairs flanking the living room fireplace as
Judy’s car pulled away.
    “You’ve
hit pay dirt, my dear,” John reached over and took her hand.
    “I
know. I can hardly believe it.” She turned to him. “I almost forgot it was up
there, what with all that’s been going on.”
    John
nodded.
    “Great
suggestion to get Judy over here. I would have eventually called my insurance
agent, but who knows how long I would have left it all sitting out in plain
sight. Makes me nervous, to be honest with you. Are you on call tonight?”
    John
shook his head. “I need to run by the emergency hospital to check on a patient
I treated late last night, but that’s it. Why don’t I do that now and come back
here to take you to dinner.”
    “And
leave this stash? No way,”
    “Then
I’ll pick up a pizza from Tomascino’s.”
    “Nothing
I’d like better,” Maggie replied, pulling him to his feet. “If we don’t get
moving, we’ll never get up. You go check on your patient, and I’ll call
Susan—after I set that silver chocolate pot aside to give to Judy. It was
her favorite piece and will make the perfect thank-you gift.”
    “You’re
a class act, Maggie Martin. That’s one of the many reasons I’m so crazy about
you.”
    ***
    “Mom?” Susan answered on the fourth ring, sounding
groggy.
    “Oh,
honey. Were you asleep?” Maggie asked.
    “Taking
a nap. What time is it?”
    “It’s
one-thirty, your time,” Maggie replied.
    “I
should get up; I’ve got stuff to do. What’s up?”
    “We
made the most amazing discovery here at Rosemont.”
    “Do
tell,” Susan demanded, and Maggie pictured her daughter sitting straight up in
bed, now fully alert.
    “Remember
when I got locked in the attic?”
    “Of
course I remember, Mom.” Maggie imagined the eye roll that Susan would be
giving her. “You were in that cold, creepy attic all afternoon and planned to
tie old draperies together to climb out the window if no one found you. The
thought of you doing that still gives me nightmares.”
    “Thank
goodness I heard Frank Haynes drive up and was able to get his attention. I
know the police tell you never to hide a key outside your house, but I’m sure
glad I had one hidden that day. I’ll always be grateful to him for rescuing
me—no matter what else he’s done. Anyway, did I mention I found that old
secretary full of vintage silver in the corner?”
    “You
mentioned it—and?”
    “We
brought the silver downstairs this weekend. I got David Wheeler to help me.
Tons and tons of stuff. I was polishing it yesterday afternoon when John
stopped by and suggested I ask Judy to take a look at it. Turns out she is
quite an expert on antique silver.”
    “That’s
cool, Mom.” Maggie could tell Susan’s enthusiasm was starting to wane. These
modern girls don’t want to fuss with anything that requires much upkeep. Who
could blame them?
    “Turns
out some of it may be incredibly valuable. Maybe even priceless,” she
expounded, feeling guilty if she was exaggerating to seize her daughter’s
attention.
    Her
words had their desired effect. “No way! That’s incredible.” Maggie could hear
Susan settle down for a prolonged chat. “Tell me everything.”
    Maggie
slipped into the laundry room and, with one hand, removed a load of dry socks
and towels from the dryer while she held her phone to her ear and launched into
the story. She transferred a load of clothes from the washer into the dryer and
never noticed the trio of bright green eyes following her every move. Before
she’d closed the door behind her, one of the kittens abandoned her perch to investigate.
    Maggie
and Susan spent the next forty-five minutes discussing the silver and
speculating on its origins before Susan inquired about the status of things at
Town Hall.
    Maggie
sighed.
    “That
good, huh?” Susan remarked.