When I need to stiffen my spine, I re-read the Lily Bard mysteries. Lily inspires me to soldier on and get on with the task at hand, and stop whining. I do have a question from Shakespeare’s Champion, maybe you know the answer? After Lily’s elderly client passes on, the client’s close friend, Arnita Winthrop, invites Lily over to her house and gives her a ring. She tells Lily that her friend was grateful for Lily’s years of dedication, and wanted Lily to have it. The episode leaves a sour taste in Lily’s mouth, and eventually Lily learns from the Winthrops’ housekeeper that the ring never belonged to her client. What is going on here? Why is Arnita giving her own ring to Lily? Is she conspiring with Howell Senior to introduce Lily to him?