“We are speaking now, are we not?”
“I need to speak to you in private, please.”
“I’m very busy, Master Cole, I don’t know when I shall have the time for such a discussion and-”
“I understand.” His posture stiffened. “I can take a hint. If you feel the need to tell me what I have done to offend you, I will be at your service.”
Thea kept her eyes on the floor, worried that the pain she could hear in his voice would be reflected in his expression; worried that it would further weaken her resolve.
“Why don’t you wait in the study again,” I will bring the doctor back there when we are done.”
Thea nodded, turned and hastily walked away.
***
Thea waited for almost half an hour before the doctor and Cole returned, and she had occupied her thoughts with the questions she wanted to ask.
She was pleased when they returned, since it was becoming harder and harder to ignore the memory of Cole that kept intruding upon her thoughts, the image of him blinking back tears as he left the study earlier.
Oddly, her own eyes kept pricking and tears threatened to overwhelm her. She refused to give into them however.
She stood as they entered the room and although he was not crying, she could clearly see the misery etched on every line of Cole’s face. She had taken a step towards him before she even realised what she was doing.
“If you’ll excuse me,” he said and then hastily left the room.
“Doctor?”
“The prognosis is not good, my dear. His breathing is bad and his nurse informed me that there was blood, well, in his urine. He is weak and only roused himself when angered.”
“How long?”
“Hard to say with certainty. Days, certainly not much longer than a week.”
“The day I arrived, he came out to greet us. He was very frail and stooped, but walking. How can he have deteriorated so quickly?”
She didn’t expect an answer, not really, medicine was not an exact science.
“That has been the nature of his malady, he seems to be recovering one day, then is in pain the next. The pains in his stomach and head are very bad today, the worst I’ve seen them.”
“Is there nothing to be done?”
“I gave him opium for the pain. It is not ideal but his laudanum was no longer enough, and it is surely preferable to suffering.”
“Yes,” she agreed.
“But enough of that, you wanted to ask me about Mrs Garwood and Mary Potter, correct?”
“Oh, uh, yes, I did.” Her carefully compiled list of questions seemingly deserted her. “Can you tell me about their deaths, your observations of the rooms and the bodies?”
“Yes,” he took a deep breath. “Well, Mrs Garwood seemed to have been involved in a struggle of some sort, since the room was in slight disarray.”
“Slight disarray?”
“Yes, other than the broken down door, which I was given to believe had nothing to do with her death, the room itself wasn’t too disorganised; papers on the floor, a knocked table and broken vase, if I recall correctly. As for the body, it too showed few signs of a struggle.”
“Where there any defensive wounds?”
“No, none that I could see.”
“That you could see?”
“Bruising sometimes comes out over time, so it’s possible there were some injuries that would have showed had she lived.”
“But no cuts or scratches?”
“No.”
“Did she…” What questions did she want to ask? “Her fingernails, was there blood under them, as if she had scratched someone else?”
“Not that I recall but if there was, it would likely have been her own, from pressing at the wound.” He mimed pressing on an abdominal wound. “Although in fact, there wasn’t very much blood at all.”
That was one of the questions she had meant to ask.
“I noticed there wasn’t much on the rug. And you said wound, not wounds.”
“Yes, only one stab wound. It was deep, the paper knife was… well, only the hilt was showing.”
“And how was the body found?”
He looked confused. “I’m given to understand, by breaking the door down.”
“I’m sorry, Doctor, I meant to say, what position was her body discovered in?”
“She had been moved to the bed when I arrived, and was lying on her back, so I can't say with certainty. Most of the staining on her dress was to the front however, a circle perhaps this large.” He used his thumb and index finger to make a circle approximately seven inches in diameter.
“So she died quickly then?”
“Yes.”
Thea considered that for a moment. Some thought that bloodletting aided recovery while others thought it hindered it. Either way, they agreed that the blood ceased circulating at death, so a small amount of blood meant a quick death.
Paper knives, or as they were sometimes called, letter openers, had very dull edges and points, since they were designed to run along a fold in paper, separating it along the crease. Traditionally they were used to cut sheets into smaller pieces to save paper, which was expensive, or to better fit the length of the letter that was being sent. Modern technology was now able to efficiently produce and cut sheets of paper in differing sizes but thanks to the recent fashion for envelopes, paper knives were now often used to prevent paper cuts when opening a letter.
“She must have been struck with some force for a blunt blade, such as a paper knife, to penetrate so deeply.”
“Indeed.”
“So to have used such force, the killer is likely a man.”
“I would say so. Also, the lack of defensive wounds might suggest that she was quickly overcome, and likely by someone far stronger than she.”
“What am I missing?” Thea asked softly.
“I wish I knew.”
“She had a cold at the time of her death, did she not, Doctor?”
“So I was told. I did not treat her for it but I was told she was taking a tincture for her cough, recommended by her own doctor. Is that important?”
“Probably not,” she admitted. “What about the housemaid, Mary?”
“Bludgeoned to death.”
“Did she have defensive injuries?”
“She did, on her left forearm, as if it had been raised to protect her head. In fact, she was struck with so much force, that the bones in her arm were broken.”
“Anything unusual about her body?”
“Nothing I can recall.”
“Did you check for the possibility that she might be with child?”
“Not specifically, why do you ask?”
“She had dreams of a gentleman visitor to the house falling in love with her, and rescuing her from life as a maid. I wondered if perhaps someone had taken advantage of her, or if she was trying to blackmail the father.”
“That I can answer. Fearing that there might have been a sexual motive for the crime, I checked and she was untouched so if someone did try to take advantage, they were not successful.”
“So that’s a ‘no’, or an immaculate conception.”
“It looks that way,” Dr Kerridge smiled.
“Can you offer any insights into these crimes, Doctor, perhaps a theory?”
“I can only explain the cause of death, I know of no motive for either killing, nor can I explain how Mrs Garwood’s murderer escaped.”
“Thank you for your time, Doctor.”
“No trouble at all. I understand that the local magistrate is also coming by today to speak with you.”
“Why?” she was taken aback.
“I told him of your help determining Mr Lanning’s cause of death. Now that we know his demise was natural, an inquest no longer needs to be held. At least, not for Mr Lanning.”
“Well, it’s fortuitous, since I also need to speak with him.”
“Is that everything?”
“I believe so. If I have
any more questions-”
“Feel free to come to me.”
“Thank you, Doctor.”
Kerridge got to his feet. “Don’t trouble yourself, I’ll see myself out.”
***
Thea returned to her rooms once she had spoken to the doctor but rather than peace and quiet, she found her father waiting for her in her bedroom, sitting on the end of her bed.
“Papa? Is anything the matter?”
“I don’t know, you tell me?”
“Well other than two murders, yes, everything’s fine, thank you.”
“So why are you giving Cole the cold shoulder?”
“I’m not!”
“Yes you are. This morning you were smitten, now you’ve been crying and appear to strongly dislike Cole.”
“I don’t want to talk about this; please leave.”
“I’m not going anywhere until you tell me what is wrong, Thea.”
“This is my bedroom, you can't be in here!”
“I am your father, I can be anywhere I like.”
“And what if I need to change?”
“Then I would suggest you tell me quickly.”
“Father!” she gasped. “Fine.” She began undoing the buttons on her riding habit.
“I saw you naked often in your infancy, Thea, you will not shock me into leaving.”
She ceased undressing. If he did call her bluff, she would be mortified, either by her father seeing her nude, or by having to back down from a challenge.
“Please tell me what troubles you, my darling girl.”
Thea paused for a few long moments and finally admitted defeat. “I caught Cole in a compromising position earlier.”
“You mean you spent the night in his arms?”
Thea gasped. “How did you know about that?”
“I awoke to that dog scratching at my door and discovered you and Cole asleep on the sofa.”
“Did you try to scare Cole off?” If he had, she might have simply heard Cole moving on to someone he was allowed to court.
“No, and if waking up in his arms has upset you, then I would remind you that you are as much to blame for that as he.”
Thea huffed.
“Am I to blame for the woman he had in his rooms that morning?”
“What woman?”
“Eliza Buchan.”
“Have you considered that there might be an innocent reason for that?”
“Oh Papa, I wish I could believe that. Not only did she call him William, he told her that I was not better than she and that she was a very special lady.”
“Still, it could be a misunderstanding.”
“How on earth can I misunderstand that?”
“I have been in such a compromising position,” he said very calmly.
“You have!”
“Indeed. Your mother and I were investigating a theft from a hotel in Blackpool and I was discovered with a chambermaid in my arms.”
“Papa, how could you!”
“How could I what? The girl knew something but was afraid that if she was seen talking to me, she could be in serious trouble. It seems her manager was the thief and she was afraid of losing her job, so she visited me in my dressing room. She was more than a little worried for her safety, she was petrified and she soon began crying. I comforted her as best I could, until your mother walked in on us.”
“What did she say?”
“Much like you, she thought the worst. We had only been married a year by then, and she was still wary of being hurt. I eventually convinced your mother to listen and asked the maid to repeat her story, which was enough to convince Mari of the truth.”
Thea was beginning to doubt herself but she still couldn’t see how she could have misinterpreted what she heard.
“I also discovered your mother kissing another gentleman once, although I use the term very loosely. Had I allowed anger to get the better of me and simply left, I would have missed the fact that he was forcing his attentions upon her and she needed my help.”
“Somehow I doubt that Eliza was forcing herself on Cole,” Thea answered, rather rudely.
“You have assumed that you know what happened,” Copley said patiently. “What does your mother say about assumptions?”
“They lead to incorrect conclusions.” She had heard that line so often, she could recite it in her sleep.
“Exactly.”
“All right, fine, you win, Papa. I’ll talk to Cole and hear his side of events.”
“That’s all I ask,” he smiled, getting to his feet. As he passed her on his way out, he paused and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Remember, if he truly has been leading you on a merry dance, I can give him the same kind of thrashing I gave the gentleman with your mother. I understand he still walks with a limp in cold weather.”
Her father disliked violence as a general rule, so Thea doubted he would hurt anyone unless absolutely necessary, but she appreciated the sentiment.
“Thank you.”
***
Thea had looked everywhere that she could think of for Cole but he wasn’t to be found. She might have become suspicious, had she not encountered Miss Eliza with her mother and aunt, walking through the gardens.
Admitting defeat, Thea headed down to the servants’ quarters in the basement and knocked on the housekeeper’s door.
“Come in.”
Thea disliked meeting new people, even servants, and would much rather have spoken to Mr Black had it been allowed.
The woman looked up from the ledger she was writing in. She was younger than Thea expected, perhaps in her late thirties, and with the most fetching red hair that Thea had ever seen, although most of it was concealed under a mob cap.
“Can I help you?”
“I hope so. I’m looking for Cole- I mean, Master Cole. Do you happen to know where he is?”
“I gather he received some bad news from the doctor this morning; perhaps he wants to be alone.”
“I know, I was there, but it’s quite important that I see him.”
“I’m sorry, Ma’am, but I can't help you.”
“Can’t or won’t?” Thea demanded.
“I don’t know where he is, Ma’am.”
Thea’s shoulders slumped. “Of course, I’m sorry. Today has been… rather trying, but I should not have snapped at you. If you should happen to see Cole, please tell him I’d like to speak with him.”
She turned to the door.
“I’ll be sure to tell Cutler and Betsy, who are enjoying a rare break together.”
Thea was good with names and she was certain they were the Nanny and Governess.
“Together, you say?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Thank you for your help.” Thea headed straight to the school room and nursery.
***
Thea paused as she neared the school room, appreciating the sound of Cole’s voice as he read a fairy tale aloud, the Wild Swans, if she wasn’t mistaken.
She suspected he was reading to his half-sisters and as the story progressed, her suspicions were confirmed by their questions and small noises they would make as he read. He was an enthusiastic story teller, although she fancied that his voice, although more animated than she was used to, had an underlying sadness to it.
Realising that listening outside doors had caused her problems in the first place, she stepped through the open doorway and rested with her back to the wall as she listened.
Cole sat in a large Windsor chair, one girl sitting either side of him and his arms around them, despite the fact it made it difficult to read and turn the pages. His sisters bore little or no resemblance to Cole but they were both pretty, in the way all children were. They appeared to be perhaps four and six years old and were dressed in matching outfits.
As he turned a page, Cole looked up at her, although he appeared wary. She smiled, attempting to tell him that she hadn’t come to argue, and he smiled back. He looked haggard and seemed to have been crying.
“Don’t let me interrupt,” she said softly when he didn’t resume the story.
The larger of the girls turned her head and whispered in Cole’s ear.
“She’s my friend,” Cole answered. “Her name is Lady Athena Copley but if she likes you, she might let you call her Thea.”
The younger child attempted to whisper in his ear also, but she was not as practiced as her sister and Thea clearly heard her.
“Her dress is really pretty.”
He smiled. “Yes it is, but it’s a riding habit, not a dress.” He looked over to Thea. “May I present Miss Sylvia and Miss Marie, my sisters.” Sylvia was the elder child.
Thea bowed her head. “Very nice to meet you.”
“Do you want to hear our story too?” Marie asked.
“I don’t want to interrupt.”
“You aren’t,” Cole assured her.
“Do you know the Wild Swans?” Marie asked. “It’s about a princess and her brothers and a wicked witch who turns the boys into swans, but Syl-va explains it better than me.”
“Thank you but I know the story well; my youngest sister is only seven and she loves it.”
“Do you read it to her?” Sylvia asked.
“I do.”
“Would you like to read it to us?”
“I should like that very much, but there isn’t any more room in that chair for me and besides, I think today I would prefer to listen. I’ve never had Hans Christian Andersen read to me before.”
“I’ll fetch you a chair.” Cole placed the ribbon between the pages but Thea stopped him before he got up.
“I’m fine.” Approaching them, she sat down on the floor, making Marie giggle.
“Ladies don’t sit on floors, silly,” Marie explained.
“This lady does,” she answered.
Cole widened his legs slightly, allowing her to sit between them, slightly turned to the side with her back resting against his left leg.
After the children made themselves comfortable again, Cole began reading, and Thea found herself transported to her nursery, where she and her sisters had grown up. Rather than the slightly austere and barren school rooms most children had, she assumed to stop the children becoming distracted, their school room had been comfortable, warm and welcoming.
Three walls had been papered in pretty paper, the fourth had been covered in sheets of cork, so good work could be proudly pinned up and displayed. As well as tables and chairs to work at, there were comfortable armchairs and cushions where the children could sit to read. The floors were also covered in rugs, albeit old ones that were well past their best and so would not be too badly damaged by a fallen inkwell or dropped quill.
Murder at Locke Abbey Page 16