35
“Thank you, dear guests, for agreeing to assemble here. I’m certain we all wish to retire to bed, but there are a few things we must address before we can all rest easy in our beds tonight.” Ruby laid her long arm across the mantel and surveyed the crowd. As she paused, all Fina heard was the slight crackling sound of snowflakes melting on the windowpane.
Pixley’s deduction about Bruno Daniels had proven incorrect. At least regarding the mysterious attacker locked up in the cellar. Bruno sat on the edge of one of the sofas they had arranged in a semi-circle around the fire. He bent over as if he were going to be sick. Then his head flew backward as he leaned into the cushions.
Pixley himself sat rather awkwardly on a footrest next to Fina. All the other seats had been taken. Snave an
