The Throwbacks, Book 1 of The Scotland Yard Exchange Program Series

The Throwbacks, Excerpt #9

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            Grace popped back to her office to collect her things for David’s home.  She didn’t know if she was more excited to tell Sophia the Pixie all about her morning or if she was more excited about going over David’s to show him her proposal for turning the empty shell where he lived into a home.  After checking in at her office, she parked herself in front of Sophia’s cubicle, watching her friend sketch out a room until she looked up.

            “How did it go this morning?  Did you get them all settled.  The boss was upset at the loss of the design job for Theresa and Rick’s new place.” Sophia said.

            “It’s only been postponed.  Batman was there.”

            Sophia’s head popped up at that.

            “What happened?  Tell all,” she said.

            “I can’t—I’m sworn to secrecy.”

“Don’t worry about that—I already know about the murder—or should I say fake murder?  Theresa spilled the beans—by accident.  She said something to Nick while I was on the phone with her last night about canceling the job.  So you may as well tell me all about it.”

“David’s not going to like this,” she frowned but only for a moment.  “I’m actually helping with the case!  I’m starting to feel like David’s detective side-kick,” Grace said, but it could have been wishful thinking.  Her goose bumps rose thinking about it.

            “I’m sure his real side-kick, Dick Tracy, would have something to say about that—and nothing good.”  Her Pixie friend shook her head in disapproval.

            Grace sat on the edge of her desk and folded her arms.  “Don’t worry about him—I’ll win him over.”  Somehow.

            “So what happened?”  Sophia Pixie blew her bright red bangs from in front of her eyes.  Grace figured it was exasperation just as much to clear her view.

            “I broke the Acquinas vase that Nick bought for them for a wedding gift and…”

            “You what?  That doesn’t sound helpful!”

            “Normally, I’d have been heartbroken, but there was an important clue inside,” Grace said enjoying the skeptical look on her friend’s face.

            “Even though this sounds like something from a Sherlock Holmes novel, go on.”

            “There was an ancient copper artifact inside and they needed an archeologist so I…”

            “Dr. Doris!”

            “Exactly!  I have to call her again now and arrange a meeting this afternoon.  Cross your fingers that she’s in town.  She might be in South America,” Grace said as she tapped the numbers on the phone on Sophia’s desk with one hand while crossing her fingers with the other.  Not that she was superstitious, but it didn’t hurt to cover the bases.

            The woman answered on the first ring.

            “Grace Rogers?  What a delightful surprise to hear from you,” Dr. Doris said before Grace could say a word.

            “I’m glad you think so, Dr. Doris—I have a strange favor to ask you—it’s important police work,” Grace said.  She gave Sophia the Pixie a puzzled look when Dr. Doris’ response was uncontrollable laughter.  Her pixie friend smirked knowingly.