Constantine Capers: The Pennington Perplexity by Natalie Brianne (new ebook reader TXT) 📕

functionality of my hips. Why, if I could just engineer myself a new hip the way I used to help engineer your father’s inventions, I’d be able to dance a jig right there on the table!”

Mira smiled. He seemed to be warming up to them, and it was nice to hear about her parents again.

“I would have loved to see that.”

“Me as well, Miss Blayse. Now were those all of your questions?”

She had plenty of questions. A hope built up inside of her that he would know what had happened the day of her parents’ accident. She glanced at Byron for a moment remembering their real reason for being there.

“Just a couple more, if you don’t mind.”

“Fire away.”

“When you watch out the window, do you see people you recognize often?”

“Yes, I do. I may not pry into my neighbors’ business, but I do know them all.”

“Who do you see most often?”

“Well there is Mrs. O’Neal who lives down the hall. She’s got two cats that are always meowing in the night. They make a right awful racket. And there is Mr. Morrison who is always peeking his beady head in everyone else’s business. I don’t often see Mr. Pennington. He mostly kept to himself. A man after my own heart. From what I know he was an engineer, just like his father before him. We’d exchange a couple words here or there. Of course, when I did see him, it was usually when he was with a young lady.”

“A young lady?”

“She came quite often. Started coming around in April or May. Lovely looking girl.”

“Do you happen to know her name?”

“Indeed, I do. Molly Bridges. She’d come around once a week, at least. First time I noticed her, I was just leaving to go meet my gents at the pub. She asked if Pennington lived here, I said yes, and she introduced herself. That’s all I know about her. I keep out of my neighbor’s business, and they keep out of mine.”

“Thank you.” Mira looked to Byron who finished writing Mr. Graham’s words.

“Of course. Anything for the daughter of an old friend.” The old man softened over the course of the conversation. Mira gathered that he didn’t get visitors often.

“I…I do have two more questions.” She glanced at Byron again. He looked surprised but stayed silent. Mr. Graham nodded.

“Did…well were you present at the accident? My parents’ accident I mean.”

A sad look glazed over his eyes. “Yes, I was.”

“Do you remember what happened?”

He looked towards the window. “How could I forget? We were just getting ready for the preliminary test of the Daydreamer. Your father was late. He often was. After all, he was always working on at least five projects at once. I waited for him on the outskirts of the docks. All at once, I heard an explosion come from the engine room. Everything after that was a blur. I ran up the scaffolding, but the door closest to me had been locked. I went back down to go around, and finally got to a place where I could get into the airship. There were so many people, it was hard to get through. I got to the engine room and found the steam engine melted and burning. Some police officer was there asking questions. Someone mentioned your parents had been in the engine room. I couldn’t believe it. Not only had I thought he was late, but he never brought your mother to tests. But when the bodies were found…” He trailed off. Mira swallowed.

“Why would he have brought my mother to this test?”

“He hadn’t mentioned that he was bringing her. I do know he thought the Daydreamer was the pinnacle of his career. He might have wanted to share that moment with her. I never did figure out what went wrong with the engine. They wouldn’t let anyone near it at first and I was taken off the project when Vaporidge bought up Silver Lining.”

They sat in silence for a few moments. Byron finished making a note in his journal and then stood.

“Thank you for your cooperation Mr. Graham. You really have been incredibly helpful,” Byron said.

“As long as it means I won’t be bothered about Pennington again,” Mr. Graham stood, leaning his full weight on his cane. Mira stood and smiled at him.

“It’s amazing you recognized me like that.”

“It’s hard to miss those dazzling green eyes and beautiful smile, Miss Blayse. I’m glad you grew up to look like her.” He took her hand and kissed it softly before letting go. He lowered his voice. “Say hello to your uncle for me, and be sure to visit again.”

“I’d be more than happy to.”

Byron offered his hand, which the old man shook before hobbling over to the door. Mira and Byron left, and the door shut behind them. Byron hurried down the stairs and out onto the street, and Mira followed.

“I’m sorry about all that. I didn’t realize he would refuse to speak to you.”

“Well, we got the information we needed. For both cases, no less. And now I know I just need to bring you along to butter up any witness,” he said without looking at her, completely serious in his manners.

“What do you mean?”

“He only let us in because of you, Mira.” Byron stopped and looked at her, a strange expression appearing on his face. “I can see what he meant about your eyes.”

His voice was softer, and his gaze deeper. He stared at her a moment more, then he turned and continued walking. Mira followed, dumbfounded. He cleared his throat, his voice slowly returning to normal.

“It was quite fortunate that he knew your mother, and that was an excellent line of questioning.”

Mira continued to walk next to him in silence. He seemed uneasy now and continued to ramble.

“Now all we have to do is find this Molly Bridges. And I probably ought to stop at Scotland Yard to let them know this has been, and always will be, a murder case.”

Mira nodded, still silent.