Read The Rest is Silence (Billy Boyle World War II Mystery) for Free Online Page A

to David’s injury.”
    “Let’s find out,” I said.

CHAPTER FIVE
    W ILLIAMS DIRECTED US to the library for drinks before dinner. The hallway carpets were deep and plush, absorbing the sound of our footsteps. But not the voices coming from the library.
    “You had better think of something , Edgar.” A woman’s voice, hushed but unable to contain itself. “We only have so much time.”
    “I will, I will.” A man, probably Edgar. Kaz laid his hand on my arm and we backed up a few steps, not wanting to intrude. The voices followed us.
    “Think of the children—although I don’t know why you’d start now. You should have thought of them first, Edgar. We shall have to take them out of school. I’ve already warned them, and I told them it was all your fault.”
    “Why would you say such a thing, dear?”
    “It’s true, isn’t it?” Her voice was lower, throaty and demanding. Edgar went silent as the clink of glassware echoed in the room. Kaz and I took that as our cue to enter. There were only two people in the room, the same couple we’d seen earlier.
    “Hello,” the man said, with no trace of the previous conversation in his greeting. “You must be David’s guests. Edgar Shipton. This is my wife, Meredith. Sir Rupert is her father.”
    “Lieutenant Piotr Kazimierz, at your service. This is Captain Billy Boyle.”
    “But it’s Baron, isn’t it?” Meredith Shipton said as Kaz gave herhand a kiss. I settled for a limp shake. “At least, that’s what David told us. I didn’t know the Poles had barons, but why not?”
    “Indeed,” Kaz said. “Yes, I am a baron of the Augustus Clan and would be pleased to be addressed as such.”
    “And you, Captain Boyle?” Meredith said, turning her attention to me. She had penetrating hazel eyes, glints of green reflecting off the emerald dress she wore. Not a beautiful woman, but striking. She exuded health and strength, and I’d have bet she was used to getting what she wanted.
    “From the Boyle clan of Boston. And I’d be pleased if you’d call me Billy.”
    “I think I shall,” Meredith said, smiling over the cocktail raised to her lips. She seemed as delighted to meet an informal Yank as a Polish aristocrat. “Edgar, please see to drinks for our guests.” Edgar did her bidding. He seemed used to it, and smiled as if indulging her, which I guessed he was also used to doing.
    Kaz asked for whiskey and soda. I told Edgar I’d have whatever he was drinking, which turned out to be a large whiskey, no soda. It’s a little trick Dad taught me. It establishes a bond and tells you something about the person you’ve just met. Everyone likes to be flattered, and showing you trust a person’s taste in booze is gratifying to them. Every now and then, I end up with a Pink Lady, but it generally turns out well.
    “You’re both with SHAEF, I see,” Edgar said as he handed me the whiskey in a cut-crystal glass that cost more than the whole bottle. “You chaps must be working day and night, what with the invasion coming up.”
    “We really can’t say anything about that,” I said. It was true, but not for the reason I led Edgar to believe.
    “Ah, security, certainly. But all signs point to it, Captain Boyle. All of Devon’s thick with American troops moving towards the coast. We see convoys every day, and tent cities springing up everywhere. The current witticism is that one can cross the River Dart at Dartmouth simply by stepping from one landing craft to another.” Edgar chuckled, and I went along with the gag. It was almost true, from what we’d seen today.
    “Do you live here, or are you visiting as well?” I asked Edgar. He looked to be in his late thirties, maybe too old for service, maybe not. I knew he had kids, and there was probably an exemption for an older married man with children. He had some grey flecked through his short brown hair and a bit of a paunch, but he held himself well.
    “Here, temporarily,” he said, and his eyes sought