“We begin by keeping this between us. No one in the house can know that we suspect foul play yet. I’ll tell the doctor and we will take the necessary samples to perform the test. We’ll have to go to his practice to perform it; even if I wanted, I don’t have all the equipment I need here. While I’m there, I suggest you and my father begin searching rooms, starting with the most likely, Mrs Cole, then moving onto the next most likley.”
“You think Selena is the most likely culprit?”
“I think she had the means, the motive and the opportunity. Did she not say that she brought your father hot chocolate each day when he was well enough?”
“She did,” he agreed. “You think she poisoned it?”
“I think it’s very possible.”
“Our next best suspect is Mr Garwood. I gather there was no love lost between he and his wife, and three unrelated murders in the same home is so coincidental, as to be unbelievable. Surely his wife’s murder has to be related.”
“I’m inclined to agree, but why?” She asked.
“Mr Garwood is still a young man, as is my step-mother. Mr Garwood had the respected name, while his wife’s family had the wealth. It was a marriage of convenience and their lack of children would support that.”
“So you think they’re…”
“I think it possible. Both have lost a spouse.”
“But they show no interest in each other,” she argued.
“Which in itself could be suspicious. They avoid one another so well, that I could conclude they have something to hide.”
“That’s why you should discuss this with my father, he’s good at those kinds of insights and has noticed their indifference to each other before.”
“Even assuming we find the poison however, that doesn’t explain how Mrs Garwood was murdered, nor why Mary Potter was attacked.”
“I know, but the more pieces of the puzzle we put into place, the easier it becomes to complete.”
“We need a eureka moment,” Cole sighed.
“A what?”
“A eureka moment. It’s something from my childhood, that moment when you suddenly understand something, such as an algebraic equation, and the instinct is to cry ‘eureka!’.”
“I like that.” She smiled. “I think I should send my father to keep you company while I get ready. I’ll ride into town on my own, so no one equates my visit with the doctor, and wait for him at his home.”
“What if you are attacked?”
“It’s unlikely in daylight but you needn’t worry, I’m an excellent shot,” she assured him. “Father insisted on it, as I have always had a tendency to wander off.”
“You carry a gun?”
“Not around the house but when travelling, I keep a four barrel pepper-pot revolver in my reticule. When riding alone, I keep it in my pocket.”
“I would feel better if you could take a steward with you.”
“The more people who know where I’m going, the greater the likelihood someone will realise my intentions and panic.”
“You think they might destroy evidence?”
“I do. As of this moment, your step-mother is unaware of your father’s death, so she will not get rid of the poison until she is sure she no longer has need of it.”
“Very good point. I’ll ask Black to instruct the staff not to say anything to her when she awakes, that I would prefer to tell her myself. While I speak with her, your father can search her possessions.”
“Good idea. Why don’t you come back to my room with me now and I’ll prepare a dose of the powders for your hand.”
“You don’t want to leave me alone,” he surmised.
“I don’t want you to hurt yourself again.”
“I won’t. I can't claim that my anger has faded, but it is under control, especially now that we have a plan.”
“Still, let me prepare some willow and cinchona bark for you, it will help with the pain?”
“Then I’ll make you a deal. If you take a groom with you, I’ll go back to your room with you.”
She frowned, knowing she’d been beaten. “Fine, but you had better pick someone you trust to keep his mouth closed.”
“I will.” He rang the bell to summon the nurse back, so she could sit with his father until the doctor arrived.
***
Cole convinced Selena’s lady’s maid not to say anything to her until she was dressed for the day, so it was gone 10 o’clock by the time she came out onto the landing to fetch him.
His step-mother’s room was relatively remote, down the hall from his father’s room and although there were other bedrooms in this wing, they were unused.
Lord Copley and Reverend Wattle were waiting in a room opposite and as soon as they heard he and Selena leave, he would slip into the room and begin searching. Copley had pointed out that if anything was discovered, they would need an independent witness, otherwise Selena could say that Copley had planted it. The Reverend had been alerted to the death by the doctor and his intent had been to offer comfort to the family. Instead he found himself acting as impartial witness, although he didn’t seem at all averse to searching a lady’s room and had needed little convincing.
Cole knocked, and entered Selena’s dressing room when bid. She sat before her dressing table, applying perfume and she appeared completely normal, unburdened by guilt and he questioned his assumption of blame. Still, the search of her room could only prove her guilt if she was guilty, so he would stick to his plan.
“What’s wrong?” she asked as she glimpsed his reflection in the mirror, turning to face him.
He wasn’t surprised, he knew he looked awful.
“I am sorry to have to tell you, father passed away in the night.”
“Oh!” her hand covered her mouth. “Oh no. I-”
Cole had rehearsed what he needed to say many times.
“I know although not wholly unexpected, this is a big shock for you, but there are things that must be dealt with. I wanted to accompany you however, as you tell your daughters, and after that, we need to find out if he left a Will. I have sent word to his lawyer and I expect him here soon but obviously, if you are not well enough, I will see him alone.”
She turned away and brought her handkerchief to her eyes and although she sobbed, he could see no tears.
“Come, We’ll stop by Father’s sitting room and get you a fortifying brandy first.”
“Yes, yes, that’s a very good idea.”
He was solicitous but not overly familiar, knowing that if he showed too much concern, she would suspect something.
“The doctor has been and gone,” he explained as they left the room, primarily so Copley could hear them as they passed. “He assures me that he suffered no pain, and Father’s nurse says that he passed in his sleep. I know it is small comfort but it is a comfort, nonetheless.”
“Yes… I knew he was unwell, but I am surprised by this.”
“I know what you mean, he was an indomitable figure, one that it was hard to picture giving into illness, even a severe one.”
“Yes, you understand.” She favoured Cole with a watery smile.
He opened the door to his father’s rooms and glancing into the hall as he closed it, saw Copley and the Reverend enter the hallway.
“I know this is difficult,” he said as he poured her a drink. “We can wait as long as you wish before visiting Sylvia and Maria. I can also have a servant summon Mrs Dale, if you would like me to.”
She accepted the large glass of whisky.
“No, not yet. Soon perhaps, but I need a few moments to gather my thoughts first.”
“I understand.” Cole smiled. “Take as long as you need.”
***
“I really do not feel comfortable doing this,” Reverend Wattle said, although he was watching Lord Copley’s actions with interest.
“I know, but at least you are here to make sure nothing untoward happens,” Copley was beginning to tire of these protestations. He was going through the shelf of bo
oks, opening each and checking for letters or other correspondence.
“Oh, what’s that?” The Reverend lifted a monocle to his eye and peered along the shelf.
“What is what?” Copley asked.
“These books, they are all standing a little proud of the wall.”
He was right, and Copley removed all the books from the shelf and stacked them on the floor. Behind an end book, sat a small glass bottle with a label that read ‘POISON. Granules of Arsenious Acid’. Copley pulled it out to see that it was only about one quarter full.
“Well, I would say that was fairly damning,” The Reverend sounded extremely pleased with himself.
“Indeed. Can I leave this in your care for the time being?”
“Oh, uh, is there any reason?”
“I haven’t finished searching.”
“But we have found the poison, what more do we need?”
“There could be anything, incriminating correspondence, a receipt for the purchase of the poison, perhaps evidence of what she gave him the arsenic in. But don’t worry, Reverend, I have already searched most places, so we will not be much longer.”
He resumed looking through the books and was rewarded with a series of love letters, hidden in the Holy Bible.
“Shocking!” Reverend Wattle declared. “To keep such vulgarity in the holy book!”
“We have uncovered evidence that she poisoned her husband,” Copley tried very hard not to roll his eyes. “I hardly think blasphemy is going to trouble such a woman.”
“No, no, of course, you are right.”
“They mention no names,” Copley said, taking a quick look through. “Each letter is signed with only an X and none are dated. Perhaps we can match handwriting but of course, without a date she could say these predate her marriage.”
“Do you know who sent them?”
“I have my suspicions. In fact, we’re searching his room next.”
Copley smiled when the Reverend didn’t complain, with any luck, he would stop moaning altogether.
***
“And this is definitive, is it?” Dr Kerridge asked, examining the silvery-black residue in the glass tubes.
“Almost. Antimony can give a false positive but it will dissolve in sodium hypochlorite.” She sealed one end of a tube with a bung then used a pipette to add some of the chemical in to it, then she swirled it around. “Definitely arsenic,” she declared when the residue didn’t dissolve.
“So what happens now?”
“You will have to keep these tubes for the trial and we will have to get a copy of the films, made using known amounts of arsenic, for comparison purposes.”
“So we can determine how much poison he was given from the darkness of the stain?”
“Exactly. If memory serves, I would say this is equivalent to around two to three ounces. Obviously that is spread out over time, but it’s enough to kill three grown men.”
Dr Kerridge let out a whistle of appreciation. “He didn’t stand a chance, did he?”
“Sadly, no. Even if we had discovered this much sooner, he might well have died from what he had already ingested. Somebody definitely wanted him dead.”
“I suppose I should send word to Lord McAllister.”
“The magistrate doesn’t seem very intent on seeing justice done.”
“He’s a relic from another time,” Dr Kerridge admitted. “He believes that I have sullied my family name by becoming a physician.”
“He does? Kerridge? Are you a member of the Somerset Kerridges?”
“I am, the third son, so no title or inheritance for me, so I decided on medicine. McAllister however, believes the only respectable professions are the clergy or as a last resort, the law.”
“If we do go to him, are we likely to see justice done?”
“That rather depends on who the killer is. If it is a noble or a member of an aristocratic family, he will likely do everything in his power to derail the prosecution.”
Thea sighed, wondering how she could see justice done in this case, assuming they discovered proof.
“Lord Grady is a magistrate.” Kerridge reminded her.
“Can he issue an arrest warrant?”
“I don’t know, but the local constables will answer to him and make an arrest at his behest.”
“That is an excellent plan, Doctor. Thank you.”
“You are most welcome, my dear.”
“And thank you for your help this morning, Sir, I couldn’t have done this without you.”
“Thank you for your visit, you have both educated me and reignited my interest in medicine. Suffice to say that after practicing for nigh on twenty years now, my enthusiasm had dulled a little.”
“I’m glad. You’ve been extremely helpful to me as well.”
“Then it is truly a mutually beneficial arrangement.” He smiled.
“Now I should probably get back to the Abbey. When dealing with the wonders of science, it’s sometimes easy to forget that real people have been hurt, and that their loved ones are grieving and are in need of answers.”
“Of course. Cole is very lucky to have found a woman such as yourself. I do hope he realises it.”
“I think so,” she blushed. “But I consider myself the lucky one.”
***
Back at Locke Abbey, Cole was nowhere to be found and Thea was reduced to looking into all the public rooms in the hopes of finding him. She found her father, who disclosed the results of the searches, and informed her with some glee, that the psychic had left.
He didn’t know where Cole was unfortunately, so she headed to the school rooms in the hopes of finding him with his sisters. She paused on her way as the sound of voices reached her and she realised that she heard the younger members of their group rehearsing their play.
She continued on without checking to see if Cole was with them, unwilling to risk being badgered again.
When she reached it, the school room was devoid of children and Cole, but the governess was there and she looked up from her book as Thea entered.
“Can I help you?” She raised a haughty eyebrow.
“I was looking for Cole, I mean, Master William, well, Mr Cole now. Have you seen him?”
“He came and visited the children with their mother this morning to break the awful news. He returned a little while later and practically kidnapped the children. He didn’t tell me where he took them or when to expect them back.” Her snippy tone said that she was clearly quite upset with his behaviour.
“Everyone has had a shock, Mrs Cutler, perhaps compassion would be a better emotion to express to the girls, rather than judgement.”
“Children need a stable routine, now more than ever.”
“Why?”
“Pardon?”
“I asked why children need a stable routine?”
“Because children are better behaved when they know what is expected of them.”
“So it makes things easier for you, not them,” Thea surmised.
“Routine is comforting,” Mrs Cutler insisted.
“Routine is stifling to a creative mind.”
“Children learn better in a structured environment.”
“If that were true, your knowledge would surpass mine, and I would be willing to wager that it doesn’t.”
“I speak three languages!” The governess argued.
“Is one of those English?”
“Yes.”
“And the others Latin and French?”
“Yes.”
“I speak five languages fluently, not including English, and I speak a further seven to a lesser degree.”
“I had the best tutors money can buy!”
“Then that is the difference, my education was not purchased. I was taught to enjoy learning, to invest my time and passion in the things that interested me. When I was upset, I was comforted, when I was successful, I was rewarded, and when I was struggling, I was encouraged. My education was shaped around my needs, not my governess
’. It is my hope that Sylvia and Marie’s tutors will instil them with a love of learning, rather than presenting it as a chore. I hope you will remember that in the days to come.”
“Master Cole is master of this house, not you, no matter how much public cavorting you do with him.”
“Cole has asked me to marry him so one day very soon, I will be mistress of this house. I was telling you this partly because I don’t want the children upset any more than they already are, but also as a friendly warning to you. I am a proponent for progress, in all things, including education.” She curtseyed. “Thank you for your… help.”
She turned and left before she could say anything worse.
Chapter Sixteen
The rest of the day passed slowly and eventually, Thea gave up looking for Cole and his sisters. Wherever they were, it was clearly somewhere she didn’t know about.
She thought it likely that he was somewhere in the grounds with them but the estate was far too vast for her to attempt to look for them.
Copley left Mrs Cole’s room as he had found it, with the books standing slightly proud of the wall, even though he retained the poison bottle and letters. The presence of a servant would also keep her from checking on the arsenic hidden behind the books.
She was being watched closely however, with housemaid Ella assigned to stay with Mrs Cole and see to her every need. In truth, she was there to tell the butler if anything untoward or unusual should happen. None of the guests questioned it too much, believing she was voluntarily confined because of her grief. A few people wanted to visit her but telling them that Mrs Cole wanted peace and privacy, they easily capitulated.
Cole returned early evening with the girls, having spent the day exhausting them both in the hope that they would be distracted from their father’s death, and their lethargy would ensure a deep and restful sleep.
Thea thought that was an incredibly kind thing to do, and told him as much as they headed downstairs once dressed, for dinner.
They were eating slightly later this evening, on account of the play being performed beforehand.
“Are you all right?” Thea asked as they entered the ballroom and took their seats (at the back, furthest away from the ‘stage’).
“I’m fine,” he assured her.
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