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unfortunately in this day and age, many people get mugged,” stated Mrs. Faraday. “To assume this attack occurred because of James’s letter has no foundation. Besides , it was my understanding, Carrie, that Hugh gave you James’s letter this afternoon.”
    Carrie never had a chance to answer because Suzanne jumpe d in, “He did, but Carrie gave it back. She asked him to hold it until tomorrow.”
    Mrs. Faraday looked at Carrie, and Carrie nodded her agreement with Suzanne’s statement. Carrie still didn’t want to reveal that the letter was back in her possession.
    “Then we’ll have to wait until Charles and Hugh return to get more details.” She looked past Suzanne to Carrie. “This has been a very tiring day, and I’m going to my room.” With those final words, Mrs. Faraday left the two women sitting in the study.
    After Mrs. Faraday left the room, Suzanne started in again. “I agree with Mrs. Faraday.”
    “I beg your pardon?” Carrie asked.
    “I think it raises some questions about your judgment. It’s not right you let Simpson get hurt over Jamie’s letter. We could have all read the letter together right here in the safety of the house.”
    Carrie was irritated by Suzanne’s accusations, but she kept her annoyance under control. She answered, “ I’ve three thoughts on the matter. First, Suzanne, that isn’t what Mrs. Faraday, said. What she said was we don’t know if the letter was the reason Simpson was mugged. We’ll have to wait and see. Second, I’m sorry Simpson was attacked. However, if the letter was the cause of this mishap, I could have placed everyone in this house in jeopardy. The mugger might have broken in here to find the letter.”
    Suzanne sat quietly and then said, “What’s your third thought?”
    “If the letter was the reason for the mugging, only a limited number of people knew Simpson had the letter. So I can’t help but wonder if someone closer than we think informed the mugger.” Carrie realized she used the same phrase Ascot found in his note.
    Suzanne didn’t reply to Carrie’s comment. Then Carrie added, “I agree with Mrs. Faraday on one thing. This has been a very long day. If you will excuse me, I’m going to my room.” Carrie left Suzanne sipping coffee in the study.
    When Carrie arrived at her room, she saw the door wasn’t completely closed. Yet she was sure she had closed it securely when she left. Perhaps Mary returned to turn down the bed and straighten the room.
    She entered the room cautiously. The bed was not turned down, there were no fresh towels, but Carrie was sure someone had been in the room. She gazed around, and her eye was drawn to the wastebasket. The envelope from Jamie’s letter was now hanging over the lip of the basket. Someone else knew that Carrie, not Simpson, had the letter. It couldn’t have been Suzanne. Suzanne was with Carrie the entire time. That left Charles, Mrs. Faraday, Christopher, or members of the household staff.
    Carrie decided now was the time to read the letter, before anything else happened. She took it from her bra, grabbed her reading glasses, and sat on the edge of the bed. Jamie’s letter was handwritten, and Carrie immediately recognized his tiny cursive script.
     
    My dearest Carrie,
     
    The years cannot take away all that we meant to one another. On more than one occasion, I’ve questioned whether we made the right decision not to marry. And I can’t help but wonder if you haven’t asked yourself this same question.
     
    Carrie stopped reading for a moment and held the letter. Jamie was always so direct. She continued.
    I know our decision was made by two people who thought they logically and calmly came to a mutual conclusion. We both had talents that needed to be developed. We both had freshly printed degrees in hand that gave us the opportunity to go off and search the world. I think we both did fine.
     
    Now I find myself in desperate need of that cool, calm, and logical way you had of