Half a Mind TO Murder (Dr. Alexandra Gladstone Mysteries Book 3) by Paula Paul Page A

’tis the nature of the disease to run rampant in a town.”
    “ Yes.” Alexandra picked up her papers and tapped the ends on the small table to even them before she turned to face Nancy. “I only hope we’re able to stem it somewhat.”
    Nancy was aware that two more cases had been reported besides Alice and the Blackburn boy. At least they were older children who stood a better chance of recovery than the Hastings baby. “I have plenty of red clover infusion if ’tis needed,” she said.
    “ Good. Yes, yes of course. I know they’ll be in good hands.” Alexandra sounded uncommonly edgy. But who could blame her? Besides the precarious condition of little Alice Hastings, there were those dreadful, uncivilized murders. And now, the threat of anthrax in the area. All the more reason to give her the opportunity to get things off her mind for a bit.
    “ And Polly will be here, of course.” Nancy had to keep telling herself she would refuse to be jealous of Polly Cobbe’s skills. After all, it had been her idea for Miss Alex to hire her in the first place. Not that she needed the assistance, she told herself. She’d only wanted to help the poor woman. It was just that she hadn’t expected Polly’s skills to be so…well, exemplary.
    “ I shall leave the decision regarding Polly up to you. You know I trust your skills without question,” Alexandra said as if she’d read her thoughts.
    That was when Nancy knew she was being foolish. Of course there was no need for jealously. Her own skills, she was confident, were equal to Polly’s, and besides that, there was a bond between herself and Miss Alex that no one else had. “Perhaps I should invite her to stay here while you’re gone,” she said.
    “ Oh, I didn’t want to suggest that for fear you would object, but I’m so glad you brought it up,” Alexandra said. “I know Zack will be here and Rob and Artie, of course, and I know it sounds illogical, but I will feel ever so much better knowing there’s another person in the house.”
    “ She’s good company. I’m sure we shall both enjoy it,” Nancy said and meant it.
    Alexandra still had a worried expression on her face. “I just hope there’ll be no more—”
    “ Don’t invite trouble, Miss Alex. There’s always trouble enough without an invitation. And anyway, the two of us will be fine here. Your mission for now is in London.” Nancy hoped her choice of the word mission would have the proper effect on Miss Alex. She didn’t want her backing out now on an all too rare opportunity to get away for a few days.
    “ Now who’s playing whom like a violin? Don’t you think I know why you’re so eager for me to go to London?” Alexandra, with her hands planted on her hips, gave her an accusing look.
    “ Well, of course I’m eager. I know you’re looking forward to hearing Dr. Lister—”
    “ London is a large city, you know. I don’t expect to see Mr. Forsythe at all. He won’t even know I’m there.”
    “ Mr. who?”
    “ You are insufferable, Nancy.”
    Nancy , with her back turned, pretended to be busy smoothing out the already smooth and carefully folded petticoat that was packed in the trunk, but she couldn’t keep a little smile from flicking across her mouth. Everything was going to work out wonderfully. She had told Mr. Forsythe in the telegram she’d sent that he was to give Miss Alex the impression that he happened only by chance to be at the train station when she arrived. It had cost her a pretty penny to send the message because she found she couldn’t keep her words from multiplying. There was so much she needed to tell Mr. Forsythe, and she couldn’t possibly get it all in one message.
    “ And don’t try to pretend now that you’re not as concerned about these awful murders as I am. You see danger lurking in every corner,” Alexandra said.
    Nancy turned and glanced at her, eager to defend herself. “Of course I don’t. Why would you say—?”
    “ What was that