"If she's not home yet, I'm getting back in the car to cool off. Gawd, it's steamy out here," Prof. Pettit complained, climbing the steps to the oversized porch.
"It sounded like she was almost home when I called," Phinn relayed, stopping to stand before the heavy-looking oak front door. He reached out to push the buzzer before taking a step back.
"Didn't it rain here yesterday? I thought it was supposed to before I returned," Kathryn asked, pulling her top away from her sticky back.
"It did. Only it increased the humidity level," Phinn replied. However, his attention and gaze focused on the rotting porch before shifting to study the exterior wall's peeling paint. "This mansion requires significant maintenance."
"I hope that front coming through tonight cools it off. What? Oh, right," Katie responded, reaching the same conclusion after a brief look. "Yeah, these old places can be expensive to maintain. Imagine the heating and cooling costs. That's if they have air con--Oh, damn. I hope they have air conditioning."
Phinn shushed the decade-older woman as a pair of locks on the front door unlocked.
"Good afternoon! You must be Phineas," a gorgeous face flashing a dazzling smile greeted.
Unlike his partner, Phinn's appraisal lasted barely two seconds. He didn't need to stare as Jake had done to realize that Regina Tarr might be one of the more beautiful women in Edgewater. His quick study noted her long, light brown hair, matching eyes, and very large breasts. Nor did he raise an eyebrow at the tight, sleeveless blouse that strained to hold in the ample bosom. Phinn left the eyebrow-raising to his associate for the day.
Katie's surprised sound alerted Regina to her presence just as she held out her hand to greet the teen detective further. The dazzling smile cracked for a split second before reforming.
"Oh! I didn't realize you were bringing along a...lady friend," Regina responded, unsure of their relationship. Her first impression had been to guess a girlfriend until a longer look led her to recognize the other woman as slightly older than herself.
"Hello, I'm Kathryn Pettit. I'm an anthropology professor at Bentworth College," Katie introduced herself. She knew Phinn's people skills could be lacking, so she didn't wait for him to do so. Offering her own hand, she covered for the teen. "I apologize if Phineas didn't inform you that I was accompanying him for today. We just left the historical society when he noticed Jake's message."
"Uh, sorry," Phinn finally remembered his manners as Regina's hand shifted away from offering him a handshake to meet Katie's. He could've sworn he mentioned that he wasn't coming alone. "Prof. Pettit's expertise is American folklore. She's helped us in the past with several cases."
"You have? How fascinating," Regina stated with interest in her voice. However, both her guests thought it felt forced. "That's right. You mentioned that Jake was busy for the day. Well, please come inside."
Stepping back, Regina turned partly behind the front door. Katie's eyebrows raised again as she noticed the young heiress' cotton shorts appeared painted on with how tight they clung to her curvy butt. The academic's curiosity increased after walking inside and catching sight of the sleeveless blouse. What had been two undone buttons now sat only one.
"Such a majestic foyer," Katie said, seeking something polite to say as her brain computed.
"Oh, forgive me! I'm Regina Tarr," the busty brunette introduced, realizing she'd forgotten that step. She recalled seeing Phinn's picture in the paper in the past but commented on how much older he looked.
"He definitely had a growth spurt sometime lately," Katie declared mischievously with a smirk. She held in a fuller grin as Phinn shot her a dirty glare.
"It happens," the junior sleuth said through gritted teeth.
"Well, would you care for a tour, or do you prefer to get right down to business?"
"I'd love a tour of your home. I can only imagine the fascinating events it has witnessed throughout its history. However, the kid doesn't have the patience. So, we'd better drop him off in your archive before starting a tour," Katie suggested.
"Of course. I got the impression from Jake that his partner is all business," Regina chuckled, gesturing for them to follow her towards the grand staircase.
Phinn shot a questioning expression at the young professor. He only received a raised finger as if to say, "Wait for now." After he acknowledged her with a nod, Kaite's finger shifted to gesture at Regina. Her tight shorts left little to the imagination as they climbed the wide staircase behind her. The two guests noted the age and wear on the stairs carpet.
"The original home was constructed in 1727," Regina replied after Kathryn's inquiry about the mansion's age. "Further expansion and renovations mostly demolished the first structure. Some of it still exists, but that's primarily in the basement. We like to say this home has been around since 1818."
They paused several times to study one of the large portraits they climbed past. Sounding like a bored tour guide, Regina automatically listed a few details about each of her ancestors. Phinn showed less interest in the dead Tarrs than Katie. He had already discarded them as being linked to his investigation.
Regina led them on a fairly lengthy trek through her family's mansion. They went up quite a number of steps on the U-shaped staircase before reaching the second floor. Taking them around the opening that looked down on the foyer, she led them on a Byzantine route through hallways before reaching a small library nestled in a corner alcove of a guest bedroom. Assuming they'd reached their destination, Phinn began to place his bag on a table until Regina opened a slim door. After a motion to follow, they ascended a creaky, narrow staircase to the third floor.
"What the...That shouldn't...This door should be locked," Regina gasped.
Phinn stepped forward to peek through the partially opened door. Inside, he saw a long, narrow, rectangular room filled with wooden cabinets. Several maps and paintings filled one of the long walls, and the other wall dropped down at spots to offer little headroom. The teen could also make out several papers scattered on a small table.
"Are you sure it was locked?" Kathryn inquired.
"Yes! We always keep it locked, and Jace made sure of it before he left this morning," Regina explained.