The Conservatory

by Linda Watkins

About the Author: USA Today Bestselling Author, Linda Watkins, is the author of the award-winning Mateguas Island Series, the Kate Pomeroy Gothic Mystery Series, and the new Steve Daniels Mystery Series. She has also penned the award-winning stand-alone novel, Summer Girl, and several other shorter works. She is a member of the Horror Writers Association, The Great Lakes Association of Horror Writers, the International Association of Crime Writers (N.A.), and the Authors Guild.

Excerpt

I arrived at the house a little after six. It was a rambling Victorian badly in need of a new coat of paint and some skilled carpentry work. Taking a deep breath, I mounted the stairs and rang the ancient doorbell. The door was answered promptly. Anders, the butler, stood in full regalia. He wore his uniform proudly even though I could see that it was shiny, bordering on threadbare in spots, and would soon need to be patched.

“Anders,” I said. “I have an appointment with your master.”

The butler smiled. “Mr. Biggs. It’s been a long time.”

I nodded. “Yeah. It has.”

Anders took my hat and coat. “The Master is in the conservatory and is expecting you. Let me show you the way.”

I grinned. “No need, Anders. I think I can find my way around this joint.”

Without another word, I brushed past the manservant, strode through the living room and kitchen to the rear of the house where the conservatory was located.

It was a large room, circular in shape. The ceiling and walls were all glass. An old telescope was mounted on a stand in the center, but by the look of the cobwebs trailing off its scope, it hadn’t been used in decades. The room was more of a greenhouse than anything else. Shelves, plant stands, and potting benches were everywhere, all overflowing with greenery. But even in this lush jungle, I could see the master of the house quite clearly.

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