Tuesday Tales: From the Word HOT

Wow! August is here already. It’s been a busy summer with home renovations, but I’ve still managed to get some writing done. This week, the authors of Tuesday Tales are writing to the prompt, HOT.

He shook his head. “And again at her hotel in Inverness.” He repeated what Marina had told her about locking herself in her room that night. “I should’ve admitted the truth then. Now, it may be too late. She may not believe a thing I say. There’s something else.” He told Nathan about the notes and the dead rat, ending the conversation about the missing three hours she claimed she’d slept on a bench in Edinburgh.

“Bloody hell. This is a hot mess, isn’t it now? I’m glad someone is taking those threats seriously, but those lost three hours in Edinburgh make no sense. Surely someone would’ve roused her—the police, another tourist—” Nathan stopped and glared at him. “Were you in Edinburgh at the time?”

“No. I went from London straight to Inverness.”

“Then she can’t accuse you of drugging her or what have you, but I’ll wager she was nowhere near that bench for all of that time.” He stood. “I don’t like this, Jerome. It feels as if you’re being set up, although for what, I’ve no idea. Let me make a few inquiries—see where James was while she was in Edinburgh. Ewen told me why her letter almost missed her. It was misaddressed from here. Only someone in his office could’ve done it. He blamed a temp, but I have my doubts. I mentioned earlier that James was raised by his Aunt Mary. The woman went to her grave swearing she was the rightful heir to Fraser Hall, born on the wrong side of the bed, but the heir, nonetheless. The old laws didn’t recognize the rights of those born out of wedlock, and when you get right down to it, Marina was also born on the wrong side of the sheets, although her father did claim her as his own. MacNish is a good lawyer. It’s quite possible that he has no interest in Marina and simply wants her fortune. There are three ways to get it: petition the courts, marry her, or see her dead. Be careful.”

Jerome nodded. None of those options appealed.

Thanking both Nathan and Nadia for their hospitality, he left their home and headed back to Fraser Hall, still not sure what to say to Marina, but aware of the danger of lying. If only he could ask the stones, but it seemed as if they had turned their back on him, too.

That’s it. Come back next week for more. Don’t forget to check out the other Tuesday Tales.