Murder By Chocolate

by Beth Byers

  “Is no one else here?”

  “They’re not allowed to leave the house,” Jack told Violet. He rose and crossed to her, and Violet only noticed his shadow then. “It turns out that Aina doesn’t believed you killed Uncle Anderson, since he’s keeping everyone else at the house, while he continues to investigate.”

  “I’d prefer if they left,” Violet said flatly. “Surely he can’t really keep them there?”

  “I would also prefer they left,” Jack agreed. “They could throw a fit, I suppose, but Grandfather told them all they weren’t welcome at the company until we discovered what happened to Uncle Anderson. Aunt Hyacinth maintains it was Anderson’s heart, her children simply state that they have nothing to benefit. The girls are crying quite a lot, and no one saw anything because the whole murder was preplanned and ready to go before they arrived.”

  Violet sat down next to Grandfather Wakefield. “How are you feeling?”

  “Furious,” Grandfather Wakefield snapped. His hand shook as he turned the pages. “Seems everyone knew what was in my first will despite the fact that I never told a soul except for Anderson.”

  “If they knew, did they guess why you were changing it?”

  Grandfather Wakefield sighed. “Herbert knew. Anderson told him directly, but when I asked him, he told me he wouldn’t have killed over it.”

  “Why?” Violet asked. “What are the exact details?”

  “Twenty-five percent of the money for him with control over the business. The house was going to Hyacinth with enough to let her live easily, which made things nearly even in value between the youngest two of my children. The rest of the money was split evenly between the grandchildren.”

  Violet considered what he said. “So really, you were taking the money from Anderson and James and splitting it between the grandchildren. That had to give most of the money to Hyacinth with her nine children, but Herbert came out ahead because of the money going to his four children.”

  Grandfather Wakefield nodded. “Because Herbert knew that, even if he were inclined to murder his oldest brother, he didn’t have any reason to do so.”

  “Did anyone else know what you were going to do with the money?”

  Jack was the one who answered. “The rumors about the business were rampant, but the prevailing opinion was that Anderson had persuaded Grandfather to keep the business together and given to one person—him. It was why everyone was so upset. People assumed it was me, as the oldest heir from this generation. They were obsessed with the fact that you’re an earl’s daughter.”

  Violet’s mouth twisted. “We already knew it had to be an heir. We already supposed it was likely someone from the Hyacinth side of the family given that Herbert’s children are young.”

  Violet handed over the letter with the instructions and explained about Mariposa Jenkins working out of her home with her children nearby.

  Jack cursed while Grandfather Wakefield frowned fiercely.

  “Those little ones could have died,” Geoffrey said when Violet finished. The underlying fury to his tone surprised Violet, but she said nothing to remark upon it other than to nod in agreement.

  “Of the two grandsons, Liam and Frank,” Violet asked, glancing at the young constable, “which is more likely to think they might inherit?”

  “That’s of no account,” Jack said. “If they’ll kill an uncle, they’ll kill a brother. Those two aren’t close. It could easily be either one. Give it five more years and a seeming accident—and suddenly one of them gets everything.”

  “Herbert’s in danger,” Violet declared. “Probably not with the constables swarming the house, but soon enough. Him and his children.”

  The three men, each of a different generation, turned to her in horror.

  “My guess,” Violet said, hating that it felt so right, “is that whoever this person is, they want to avoid the death duties. They know they’re not the main heir, but they’re thinking…I could be. Why pay repetitively? You leave the elder fellow alive—you, Grandfather.”

  “Then,” Jack said, “you get rid of the in-between heirs first before they have to pay death duties. It’s why they started with Anderson—the rumored heir—before they’ll get to you. Maybe whoever it is will let you live your life out.”

  “It’s less suspicious that way,” Geoffrey said. “If it were me, I’d start with Victor and then move to Gerald. Gerald would have to look like an accident, but Victor—with enough time—it could be a murder. As long as I wasn’t the suspect. Murder Victor first. Make Gerald look like an accident later. Let Father die of natural causes with enough time in between as possible. Then we just look like a cursedly unlucky family instead of one person.”

  Violet was staring at Geoffrey in sheer horror and he blushed brilliantly. “I wouldn’t do that. Of course I wouldn’t. But in theory. Theoretically only. I like Victor all right.”

  “All right?” Violet asked, eyeing her little brother. “If you murder him, I’ll filet the skin from your body and leave you alive and suffering.”

  “Would you do the same to him if he murdered me?” Geoffrey asked curiously.

  Jack surprised them all with a laugh. “She’d probably help bury you and then provide Victor an alibi. Twins aren’t like regular siblings, Geoffrey. You can envy their relationship and wish you had a twin of your own, but anything else is futile.”

  “Well,” Geoffrey said, sounding a little happier, as if somehow the answer made him feel better, “if I suspected that Victor were murdering folks in our family and knew he’d be too smart to confess, I’d set a trap.”

  “A trap?” Grandfather Wakefield asked, staring at Geoffrey

  “Of course,” Geoffrey rubbed his hands together, which was not nearly so dastardly looking when one of them was half-encased in plaster, and then leaned in—almost happy in the diabolical plotting. “You should announce to the family that you don’t trust them. That they’re a bunch of hangers-on and the worst thing you’ve ever done. Then announce that of those left—the only one who can keep the business surviving is Herbert. Tell them that the rest of them are out. Herbert will take over, and you care little for their opinion on the matter.”

  “Then, either Herbert or Grandfather would have to die next,” Jack said. “Preferably Herbert given death duties.” He faced Geoffrey. “You take naturally to trapping someone in their crimes. You don’t look like Vi, but you think like her.”

  To Vi’s shock, Geoffrey grinned as though he’d been given a gift.

  Chapter 14

  Grandfather stood in front of the fireplace. It framed him, leaning on a cane that he generally didn’t use as he looked out over his progeny. There were three remaining children and ten grandchildren, for Herbert had sent his four children away. There were spouses like Violet, a few others like Denny, Lila, Geoffrey, and the constable, Aina, but his attention was fixated on those who carried his blood.

  He looked them over, one-by-one, as though he were sucking on lemons. His lip actually curled. “Useless.”

  He let the word hang for long, long moments.

  “Hangers-on.”

  Again, the word lingered in the air until they could almost see it.

  “Leeches.” Less time passed this time. “Sycophants.”

  Hyacinth finally found the ability to speak and she almost whimpered. “Father!”

  “Freeloading, whining, entitled sponges.” Grandfather Wakefield cleared his throat. “I will say this but once.”

  “Father!” Hyacinth said this time, in a plea. “Don’t say these things. Not now.”

  “Anderson wanted me to change my will.”

  Herbert said nothing. Grandfather Wakefield had insisted he know of the trap, and Herbert agreed immediately and quietly. He had silently sent his children to the seaside with his wife and said nothing until they were gone. Only Aina had known, and he also hadn’t said a word.

  “We know!” Hyacinth snapped. “We know. He wanted it all for himself.”

  “Wh
at he wanted,” Grandfather Wakefield thundered, “was for me to remove himself and James from the will entirely.”

  Jack’s father hadn’t been warned, but he didn’t turn a hair. His even expression and his dark gaze proved he didn’t need to be told that a trap was being set.

  “Then it was James!” Hyacinth said shrilly. “James killed my brother because Anderson was good and kind.”

  “That isn’t what you said this morning,” James said, deliberately feeding the drama. “You said that he was a conniving thief who deserved what he got.”

  Violet blinked in shock and had to bite down on her bottom lip.

  “I was upset!”

  “So that allows you to speak ill of the dead?” James demanded. “You are a viper!”

  “I am a mother!” she shouted back. “I am looking after my babies. Any mother would do the same.”

  James growled. “Jack doesn’t need the money, and unlike the rest of you, I’ve never done anything more than set aside my allowance for Jack. Who paid for that dress of yours, Hyacinth? It wasn’t your husband.”

  “He’s dead!” she cried, sniffling into her handkerchief. “He’s left us alone and I do what I must.”

  “Mother!” Frank snapped, looking at her in horror. “You’re making it look like you killed Uncle Anderson.”

  Violet turned to stare at him when one of his sisters cried out. “Don’t say that Frank! Mother would never.”

  “Frank!” Liam snapped. “Bloody hell, man.”

  “That’s what Grandfather thinks. Look at the old man.”

  “The only one of you I can trust is Herbert,” Grandfather announced. “He knew what was in the will. Unlike the rest of you, he simply asked Anderson what the change was going to be.”

  There was actual pain on Hyacinth’s face and real tears as she stared at her father in horror. Her gaze flicked from him to James to her children. “Father…we need you.”

  “You needed Anderson and”—he was roaring now—"one of you killed him!”

  “Father,” James started. “I cannot imagine losing Jack. I…” James shook his head. “Do what you need to do. I am behind you and do not want your money.”

  “So you say now,” someone muttered. Violet thought it must have been one of Hyacinth’s two sons, but they were standing one in front of the other and they were both looking equally upset.

  “Get out,” Grandfather Wakefield said. “Get out and get out again. None of this is under discussion. It will be done in the morning. Herbert gets it all.”

  Hyacinth wailed as Grandfather Wakefield left the room through a side door and then she turned on James. “He won’t! He won’t do that to me, to my babies? Please say he won’t.”

  James had to have guessed at least some of what was happening. Especially with the way the detective was in the back of the room, and his experience with Jack. James only shook his head and followed his father out of the room.

  “He wouldn’t,” Hyacinth said. “He wouldn’t.” She got up and rushed from the room herself with her daughters following. They were a pack of school girls and echoed their mother with their weeping. Only one remained when the rest had gone, and she glanced about and then also shook her head, leaving silently.

  Violet immediately liked that one, who didn’t run and wail even though she was facing the same ruin as the others. She glanced at Geoffrey and whispered, “The last one. The one that didn’t weep. That’s the kind of girl to look for.”

  He scowled at her, and she winked.

  “Is this funny to you?” Liam demanded, catching only Violet’s wink and smirk. “The earl’s daughter watching the rest of us fall to ruin?”

  Violet’s head tilted at him, but before she could reply, Jack stepped in front of her.

  “That’s my wife,” Jack said. “This is our home. Speak with respect or discover the limits of my patience.”

  Liam faced Jack, but he didn’t have the same height, so he turned and stormed away. Violet giggled into her hand and said to Denny and Geoffrey, “Did you hear that?”

  “Sounded almost as stiff and ridiculous as those books you write,” Denny told Violet. “It was fabulous.”

  “This is a joke to you,” Frank snapped. “We’re going to lose everything. We don’t have earl daddies who give us money like you or the rich aunt who dumped her fortune on you.”

  Geoffrey was the one who snapped next. “How is what you want any different? You didn’t earn the fortune you expect from Grandfather Wakefield any more than Violet earned the money from her aunt. We’re all beggars. You included.”

  “I have a job,” Frank said. “I work for my money.”

  Geoffrey shoved up out of his seat. “You work for an inheritance.”

  “Grandfather will see reason. He might have favored Anderson, but my mother is his comfort and peace. She sees to his needs, she takes care of him. No one looks after a father like a daughter.”

  Violet’s brows lifted at that, and she knew that she probably failed on that front. Was she a bad daughter? She glanced at Jack, who said, “You’re like a book sometimes, Vi. Your father doesn’t need from you what Hyacinth does for Grandfather. He’s old, he’s widowed, he’s alone. She makes sure the servants make his favorite food and the doctor looks after him.”

  Violet sighed, thinking of Hyacinth. What would a mother do for her sons? Violet considered an idea. Would Violet murder her brother—perhaps Gerald or Geoffrey—for her children? And then go about seeing to her, and their, father’s needs while he grieved?

  Violet couldn’t imagine it. That took evil to a new level. She could, perhaps, see killing a brother to save her child. There was very little she couldn’t imagine doing to protect the baby Kate was about to have. The safety, however, the life—not the ease of existence. That was the difference. Violet had never really thought that Hyacinth was the killer, but now she was sure.

  She nodded at Jack and slipped out the door and found that Lila had followed.

  “You’re up to something,” Lila told Violet dryly. “I know you well enough to see that flash of understanding in your gaze.”

  Violet looked beyond her and found Geoffrey following, who seemed to have realized the same. He glanced back and then whispered, “Jack isn’t coming. He didn’t notice that look on your face. He was baiting Frank and Liam instead. I believe he mentioned something about possibly working for you once Herbert fired them both.”

  Violet had to bite down on her bottom lip to hide her shout of laughter.

  “I can see why Denny stayed,” Lila muttered. “But what are you up to?”

  “Would you murder me to save the life of your baby?” Vi asked her.

  “Yes,” Lila said immediately, “but I wouldn’t have to. You’d save my baby almost as quickly as you’d save Victor’s.”

  “Would you murder me knowing I’ve put something in my will so your baby could have money from me?”

  “No, I fear my little one is going to have to work for a living. The poor mite. He’s coming to such idle parents and then will have to have a true position. Especially as Denny and I will certainly spend all of what we’ve been given.”

  Violet laughed, then placed a finger over her lips and hurried up the stairs. The other two followed her and they moved towards the bedroom that Hyacinth took for the weekend.

  “What are we doing?” Geoffrey asked.

  Lila placed a hand over his mouth as she whispered. “If Violet is sneaking, we’re sneaking.”

  Grandfather Wakefield had been placed in the one bedroom that didn’t require him to climb stairs. Violet headed back down the servants’ stairs and towards that back bedroom. The bedroom door had been left cracked and she tiptoed towards it as Hyacinth asked, “Why must you be so stubborn?”

  Grandfather Wakefield humphed as Hyacinth told him, “I know you, Father. I know you don’t think I killed Anderson. You know I loved him.”

  He just harrumphed again.

  “You think one of my boys did,” Hyacint
h said. She took a seat next to her father, holding his hand. “Why?”

  “Someone did, Hyacinth.”

  “It was his heart,” she moaned. “It was his heart.”

  “It was poison,” Grandfather Wakefield told her gently, taking her hands. “It was poison, my daughter. One of your boys thought Anderson was manipulating me into giving all of the money to Anderson and took his chance.”

  She shook her head over and over again. “No. No, I don’t want to believe it. I won’t believe it.”

  “Do you think I want to?” Grandfather Wakefield demanded. “Do you think I don’t remember the days they were born? Do you think I don’t recall those early birthday parties or them learning to walk or read or the way they looked at me as though I were some sort of god come to earth, just at the sight of my face?”

  “It could be Jack,” Hyacinth tried, still weeping.

  “Jack’s bride offers far more.”

  “Perhaps his pride does not allow it.” Hyacinth knew she was grasping at straws, but what mother wouldn’t?

  Grandfather Wakefield gave his daughter a look and shook his head. “If he wanted the money, all he needed to do was come work for me. You and I both know it. I am old-fashioned enough for that. A brilliant grandson who carried my name? Even now, it is Herbert who benefits the most. Herbert and his son, young Carter.”

  Hyacinth bit down on her bottom lip. “No! No!”

  She rose and fled the bedroom, never even looking towards the servants’ stairs. Violet glanced in at Grandfather Wakefield and asked, “Are you all right?”

  He nodded.

  “Do you worry that they’ll come for you?”

  “It is too late if they do. Solicitors are not required. Nothing is required but witnesses and the right words.”

  He looked beyond Violet to Geoffrey and Lila.

  “You should, perhaps, be a little more forthcoming about what is in your will than I or your Aunt Agatha were.”

  “I left it all to Jack and Victor.”

  “None for your little brother?” Grandfather Wakefield asked.