Jake aimed a careless kick at one of them and missed by a good margin. He spat into the street instead and went back inside. “Goodness,” said Miss Witherspoon. “Ma’am.” Ray touched his cap. “Help you, Angus?” “We’re meeting someone.” “Constable Sterling arrived moments later. “Glad to see you’re prompt, Angus,” he said. “If you’ll excuse us, ma’am.” “Oh no, Constable,” Miss Witherspoon protested. “Young Mr. MacGillivray has kindly invited me to observe your investigations.” She dug through the ample pockets in her skirt. “I don’t think…” Sterling began. Miss Witherspoon produced her notebook and pencil with a flourish. “In my capacity as a writer, of course. Murder in the…uh…” she struggled to find a suitable alliteration. “Gold fields,” she finished with a disappointed sigh. “We won’t be going to the gold fields,”
