Exclusive Excerpt from Shadow in Scarlet.
May 13, 2023 4:01 pm
We interrupt our regularly scheduled newsletter to bring you an exclusive excerpt from Shadow in Scarlet (Heyward and Andersen, Consulting Detectives #2).
Shadow in Scarlet
Heyward and Andersen, Consulting Detectives #2
LARS ANDERSEN lay in his bed ruminating on his new circumstances as a consulting paranormal investigator. Several months into the odd arrangement, Elspeth Heyward surprised him. Despite her volatile moods, she often provided good company and conversation when not engaged in their detective work. Even that aspect Lars found tolerable, as it tickled his private fascination for the supernatural. Granted, he also had a healthy dose of fear for such things, but one must be prudent with safety. Still, the position offered him excellent accommodations coupled with a growing fondness for English sausages.
And Elspeth’s wonderful brandy smooths over the rough patches, not to mention Willoughby’s excellent pickled herring and gravlax.
Lars’ mouth watered at the thought. Allowing himself a few more luxuriating minutes in bed before rising, he continued pondering his good fortune while dressing.
Life in London is far better than Norway. I can handle this detective business, and managing Elspeth’s finances is decidedly more interesting than working at my father’s dreary accounting firm.
After reviewing her situation, it became obvious why she entrusted him with her accounts despite his previous embezzlement woes. She had practically no capital, with most of the bills paid from her monthly parental stipend and their sporadic consulting fees. Creative accounting was often necessary, especially since his own ill-gotten gains were now tied up in investments.
When suitably attired, Lars wandered into the sitting room for breakfast. Elspeth’s screech greeted him, assaulting his ears like the call of a sick seagull.
“Curse that damnable Sherlock Holmes!” Elspeth Heyward tossed the latest copy of The Strand across the room before turning to glare at her partner. “Why does he always get the glory, Andersen, why? We’ve been doing an equally admirable job in our business and are the newshounds lining up at our door? No!”
Lars sighed, pointedly ignoring the question and remaining silent on the matter. He knew from recent experience that engaging his volatile business partner on the topic of Holmes only aggravated the situation. His unfortunate snub of her soured any esteem of the man and spawned a minor obsession.
“It’s because he keeps mum on the truth, you know, pretends none of his cases have paranormal causes. Abetted by his partner in lies, Watson. But we know better, don’t we?” Elspeth stared directly at Lars and he gulped, hastily nodding, before sitting and occupying himself with pouring a cup of tea.
Elspeth abruptly shouted, “Willoughby!” Her shrill voice snapped against the tension.
Lars flinched and nearly choked on his tea. He winced, ducking his head to hide the grimace. It wouldn’t do to have her turn her ire on him, not this early in the morning. He looked up when the clang and hiss of their automaton manservant entered the room.
“Yes, ma’am, did you need something?” Willoughby’s head creaked in a slight nod and waited. Oil dripped out of one ear, and Lars made a note to check the automaton’s fittings later.
Elspeth scowled. “Can you rid me of that pompous poser of a detective, Sherlock Holmes, and his fabricating fool of a partner?”
“No, ma’am.” Willoughby’s left pinky twitched, but he showed no other sign of consternation.
Elspeth sighed. “Then bring me a brandy. And one for Lars as well, with some eggs and sausage for his breakfast.”
“Very good, ma’am.” Willoughby clanged a retreat.
“Why am I so put upon?” Elspeth sighed dramatically. “Beset with that horrid man’s exploits. He gets his name in the papers and we haven’t had a case in over a fortnight.”
“You should not get aggrieved over the stories in the papers.” Lars ventured, emboldened by the thought of brandy. “Enjoy our leisure time.”
“Enjoy it! How can I enjoy anything with Holmes taking all the cases?” Elspeth glared. “You’re not taking his side, are you, Andersen?”
“No, of course not,” Lars sputtered, “but he is not doing it deliberately. That is a bit harsh, yes?”
“No,” Elspeth hissed. “Sherlock Holmes is a ridiculous farce.”
Lars straightened his shoulders. “Now, that is not reasonable!” Throwing caution away, he continued, “Herr Holmes gets the job done; he is hardly a poser. And Herr Watson may occasionally leave out details, or obscure certain facts, but he is not fabricating their adventures. He is most likely trying not to pander to the ghoulish. No one wants another Ghost Riot.”
“You’re right, I suppose.” Elspeth flopped back against her chair cushions. “Public sentiment isn’t favourable to paranormal goings-on. Not after the Unhallowed Wars.” Elspeth sighed. “But he always seems to get the renown. We’ve had cases just as interesting these past months and no one at the papers is banging on our door to publish our exploits. It isn’t fair that he gets all the accolades. I’m not some fly-by-night fool, you know.”
“No,” Lars drew out the word, before he added, “it is not fair.” Then he mumbled, just below earshot, “But I suspect your father makes certain you never get into the papers.”
Elspeth frowned at him. “What was that? Speak up, man!”
Lars hastily cleared his throat. “My apologies, Frøken, um, Miss Heyward.” He stumbled over the name, still getting used to using the English phrases, but he was remembering most of the time. “I was saying how you were right. That some of our cases should have made the papers.”
Elspeth looked mollified. “Indeed. I felt at least the case of the dastardly hellhound would have sparked interest, but nothing.” She sniffed. “They’re jealous.”
And the return of Willoughby with the brandy and food cut off any further discussion.
“Apologies for the tardiness, ma’am, but there’s been a telephone call. It seems a Miss Scarlett Lejeune wishes to engage your services as a detective. I took the liberty of making an appointment in an hour and a half.”
Elspeth let out a squeal of delight. “Did you hear that, Andersen? Scarlett Lejeune herself as a client. Perhaps this will be the case that garners attention.”
Lars sipped his brandy and tried not to sigh as he enjoyed his breakfast. Who in the world was Scarlett Lejeune?
***
Shadow in Scarlet (Heyward and Andersen, Consulting Detectives #2)
Elspeth Heyward has never met a mystery she didn't want to solve or a risk she wasn’t willing to take. Always up for adventure, she is determined to be the best detective and monster hunter in London and outshine her avowed rival, Sherlock Holmes.
New to the detective world, Lars Andersen just wants to stay alive and out of trouble, even if he secretly enjoys their cases. But when your partner likes guns and danger, work can be hazardous. Thank heavens for a good glass of brandy and excellent pickled herring.
The Case: Hunt down a vampire stalking their client, the infamous thrall, Scarlett LeJeune. The investigation leads them across the city as they hunt their suspect, but can they find this obsessive swain before his love becomes lethal?
Set in an alternate, supernatural version of Victorian Britain, Shadow in Scarlet is the second intriguing story in the Heyward and Andersen, Consulting Detectives series.
And download story #1 for free!
The Ghostly Tower
Meet Heyward and Andersen, consulting detectives in a paranormal London you never imagined...
The Case: Discover if a stone tower on their client's estate is haunted. It should be straightforward, but ghosts aren’t all they find. When they dig up a body, they also unearth a murder and a tangle of secrets. Secrets they’d better unravel quickly before someone else dies.
