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

His agency has to have had a hand in that,” she explained. “I’m expecting someone from the agency to get in touch before the end of the day to let me know what’s happened, actually.”

“I’m not certain…”

Joan’s words were interrupted by a loud knock on the door.

“Ah, that might be someone now,” Janet said, walking to the door. When she tried to look through the peephole, she could see nothing. Still holding her phone, she opened the door and stared out at the two men in black suits standing there.

Chapter 3

“You need to end the conversation,” one of the men said flatly. He was as tall as he was broad and his face was completely devoid of expression. His brown hair was cut short and his brown eyes seemed to stare right through her. Janet guessed that he was around forty-five.

“I’m going to have to ring you back,” Janet said to Joan.

“Are you all right? What’s happening there?” Joan demanded.

Janet looked past the first man and felt a rush of relief. The second man on her doorstep was much younger, probably not much more than twenty-five. He had dark hair and eyes, and Janet immediately recognised him as the only one of Edward’s work colleagues who had smiled at her at the wedding.

“It’s fine,” she told Joan. “I’ll ring you back later.”

“If I don’t hear from you in thirty minutes, I will ring the police,” Joan said loudly. “Tell that to whoever is at your door.”

“I think they heard you,” Janet replied. The man at the back seemed to be trying not to laugh, but the other man’s face hadn’t changed at all. Janet pushed the button to end the call and then looked at the older man. “Yes?”

“I’m Mr. Jones,” he said.

“Nice to meet you,” Janet replied. “And you are?” she asked the younger man.

“Irrelevant,” Mr. Jones snapped.

Janet raised an eyebrow. She looked at the man, and he winked at her. Hiding a smile, she looked back at Mr. Jones.

“This is all highly irregular,” Mr. Jones said.

“Is it?” Janet asked.

“I have a letter for you,” he replied. “It provides as much explanation as you need.”

“I doubt that,” Janet said.

Again the younger man looked as if he wanted to laugh.

Mr. Jones reached into his pocket and pulled out an envelope. As he held it out to her, he spoke again. “Of course, you must not tell anyone about any of this,” he said.

“I went to the police earlier,” Janet replied as she took the letter.

For just a moment, she saw something flash across the man’s face. The carefully controlled blank expression was back before she could blink.

“To whom did you speak?” he asked.

“An Inspector Caron,” Janet replied. “He seems to think that I’m either confused or that I’ve done away with my husband.”

Mr. Jones nodded. “We’ll take care of Inspector Caron. Don’t speak to him again.”

“He said he was going to be here tomorrow at ten to interview me again,” Janet protested.

“That appointment is cancelled,” she was told.

“Okay, well, then, thanks for the letter.” She took a step backwards and started to shut the door.

“Mrs. Bennett, I have reason to believe that you can be quite inquisitive by nature. I strongly suggest that you resist any urge you may have to interfere in matters you can’t possibly understand,” Mr. Jones said.

“Thanks for the advice,” Janet replied. “Was there anything else?”

The man frowned. “I don’t feel as if you’re taking me seriously,” he said.

“It’s been a very long day,” Janet replied. “I need to read the letter and then work out what I’m going to do next. Thank you for bringing it to me.”

The frown was replaced by another blank stare. “You’re welcome,” Mr. Jones said. He spun on his heel and began to walk briskly down the corridor towards the lifts. The man with him gave Janet a small smile and then followed Mr. Jones.

Janet shut the door and then leaned against it. “What is going on?” she muttered as she stared at the envelope in her hand. Her name had been neatly printed on the front and she recognised it as Edward’s handwriting immediately.

Crossing to the desk, she dropped into the chair. Her phone was still in her hand, so she rang Joan back almost without thinking.

“Who was at the door?” Joan demanded. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Janet replied. “There were two men at the door. Men in dark suits, just like the ones at the wedding yesterday.”

“You think they were Edward’s associates?”

“I know they were. I recognised one of them.”

“Really? I thought they all looked exactly the same.”

“One of them is quite a bit younger and still seems to have a bit of personality.”

Joan chuckled. “If you say so. What did they want?”

“They brought me a letter from Edward.”

“What does it say?”

“I haven’t opened it yet.”

“Why on earth not?”

Janet sighed. “I think I’m afraid of what I’m going to find,” she admitted in a low voice.

“Whatever it says, you need to know,” Joan told her.

Janet took a deep breath. “Of course you’re right. I’m just being silly.” She lifted the flap. “It wasn’t sealed,” she muttered.

“Whoever delivered it probably read it,” Joan replied.

“Probably,” Janet sighed. She pulled out the single sheet of paper and took another deep breath. “It’s been typed, aside from the signature. ‘Dearest Janet, I can’t begin to apologise enough. I truly have retired, but in this instance the agency is rather desperate and a man’s life is at stake. I would never forgive myself if I allowed someone to die, not if I could have prevented it, not even when it means interrupting our honeymoon. If things go to plan, I should be back in Paris in a few