The Armstrong Assignment (A Janet Markham Bennett Cozy Thriller Book 1) by Diana Xarissa (books for 10th graders TXT) 📕

“I think it might be best if we leave sightseeing for another day,” Edward said. “Head injuries can be serious.”

Bobby looked as if he wanted to argue, but after a moment he pushed his half-eaten pudding away and stood up. “Let’s go back to the hotel, then,” he said angrily. “We can talk there,” he added, giving Edward a dark look.

Janet frowned as everyone immediately got to their feet and headed for the door. She still had two bites of mousse left and she didn’t want to rush her enjoyment of them. As she listened to the others heading for the stairs, she took another bite and shut her eyes. So very good. When she opened her eyes again, everyone else had gone. Quickly scraping up her last bite, she swallowed it as she grabbed her handbag before rushing after the others.

Chapter 8

Janet needn’t have worried. The group was standing right outside of the restaurant, arguing loudly about whether they should walk back to the hotel or take a taxi. Edward looked as if he was about to lose patience with everyone.

“The nurse will be waiting,” Theodore said. “We should get a taxi. Otherwise, you’re paying her for simply standing around.”

Bobby frowned. “Good point,” he said. “Let’s get a taxi.”

Theodore nodded and then looked at Janet. “How do we get a taxi?” he asked.

“Allow me,” Edward said. He stepped forwards and hailed a passing car. When it stopped, he looked at Janet. “There is room for four. Does everyone else want to ride back, too? I can get another taxi,” he said.

“I’ll walk,” Janet said quickly.

“I’ll walk, too,” Lucy said. “With the traffic, we’ll probably be back at the hotel before you, anyway.” She turned on her heel and strode away. Tony rushed after her.

After a moment, Dixie shrugged. “I’d rather not walk,” she said.

“This is ridiculous,” Neil snapped. “I’ll see you all back at the hotel.” He set off towards the hotel at a brisk pace.

“That’s four for the taxi, then,” Theodore said. “Let’s go.”

He climbed into the car. Bobby got in next, followed by Edward. Dixie slid into the front passenger seat, thanking the driver, who was holding the door for her, as she went. Janet turned and began to walk back to the hotel at a leisurely pace. She was only a few steps away from the building when the taxi pulled up to the door.

“Hello,” Edward said in a low voice when she reached him.

“Hi,” she replied before following the others into the hotel’s lobby.

A young brunette was sitting in the lobby, but she got to her feet as they entered. “Mr. Armstrong?” she asked. “I’m the nurse from the agency.”

Janet translated her words for Bobby and Theodore.

“Do you speak English?” Bobby demanded.

“A little,” she replied in English with a shrug.

“I told them we needed nurses who speak English,” Theodore said.

“But it is difficult with urgent cases,” the nurse told Janet in French. “They thought it was best to have someone here right away. Perhaps the next nurse who comes in later will speak more English.”

Janet repeated what she’d been told.

“But what is wrong with Mr. Armstrong?” the nurse asked. “The agency didn’t have much information.”

“He fell and hit his head,” Janet explained. “The doctor who was there when it happened was concerned about a concussion.”

The nurse nodded. “So I must monitor him. I see.”

“Let’s go up to my suite,” Bobby said. “I have some things to discuss with Edward.”

They headed for the lifts. Janet wasn’t certain if she was included in the invitation to Bobby’s suite or not. She reached out to push the button for the fourth floor.

“We’re going up to ten,” Bobby said. “But you need a keycard for that floor in order to select it.” He waved his keycard across a reader and then pushed the button for the top floor. “You’re going to have to come along and translate my conversations with the nurse for me,” he told Janet.

She nodded. She’d expected as much.

When Bobby opened the door to his suite and ushered them all inside, Janet had to swallow a gasp. The nurse didn’t bother to hide her reaction.

“My goodness, this is luxury, isn’t it?” she asked Janet, speaking in French.

Janet nodded as she looked around the huge sitting room, which was furnished with modern furniture that looked as if it had been ridiculously expensive.

“I saw that couch in a magazine,” the nurse told Janet in a whisper. “It cost more than my flat.”

“It doesn’t even look comfortable,” Janet replied.

The nurse laughed. “I’m going to find out,” she said.

As Bobby walked to the bar in the corner, the nurse sat down on the couch.

“It’s actually very comfortable,” she told Janet. “Maybe I’ll start saving my pennies.”

Bobby picked up a bottle and poured an amber liquid into a glass.

“He shouldn’t drink with a concussion,” the nurse said quickly.

Janet repeated her words to Bobby.

He sighed. “Just the one,” he said, taking a sip from the glass.

“What’s the point in having a nurse if you aren’t going to listen to her?” Theodore asked.

“Teddy, go for a walk. Go visit a museum or climb the big tower. I need some time alone with Edward,” Bobby said.

Theodore looked furious, but he simply nodded and then walked to the door. Janet wasn’t surprised when he slammed it on the way out.

Bobby sighed and then sank into a large chair. “Everything you hear is strictly confidential,” he told the nurse.

Janet translated it for her.

The nurse shrugged. “I probably won’t understand it anyway.”

“She doubts she’ll understand any of it anyway,” Janet told Bobby.

Bobby looked at Edward. “Someone pushed me,” he said flatly.

Edward nodded.