Chapter 3 #2
Mary sighed. “I didn’t because of the dowager.
” She paused, then went on, “When I was newly widowed and seeking a position, the dowager behaved as something of a white knight for me and Julian. Few would have so readily accepted a maid-companion with a young child into their households, but she did without a blink, and she was always encouraging and supportive when it came to Julian.” Mary frowned slightly.
“And then there was the situation with the earl—whatever was behind that.” She met Penelope’s eyes and explained, “Over recent years, there’s been a steadily building tension between the earl and the dowager—driven by the earl, I hasten to add.
I’ve heard them arguing, but I’ve never been sure about what.
I know she doesn’t agree with his approach to…
something to do with the family or possibly the estate, but I never heard details enough to be sure of what the actual issue was. ”
“How did she react to the news of your dismissal?” Penelope asked.
“She was furious but…I would say controlled, for she knew that it was within the earl’s purview to dismiss me.
He was the one paying my wages and supporting our board, not her.
” Mary hesitated, then admitted, “If I’d protested the dismissal, even to Pratchett, the dowager would have heard of it, and she would have argued even more than she did, and despite her iron will, she’s no longer as strong as she once was. ”
Mary met Penelope’s eyes, then glanced at Barnaby and Stokes.
“All in all, I knew Julian and I could survive well enough—we’ve saved well over the years, and there will be other positions for me, and”—she smiled at Julian, then glanced at Curtis—“Julian now has steady employment as well.” She looked back at Penelope.
“So I decided I didn’t want us to be the cause of a serious—more serious—rupture between the earl and the dowager.
I didn’t want that on my conscience, not after she’s been so kind to us over the past ten years. ”
Impressed and, indeed, reassured by the sentiment, Penelope nodded in understanding.
Stokes had been studying Mary. His gaze flicked to Curtis, who was watching her closely, then Stokes stated, “I want to be abundantly clear. After viewing the scene of the crime and interviewing the staff and the family, we see no reason to think that you, Mrs. Alder, were in any way involved with the murder of the earl.”
“Indeed,” Penelope put in. “You were merely the one who was unlucky enough to first come upon the body.”
“And the reason you did,” Barnaby added, “was because of a pre-arranged meeting decreed by the deceased.”
“Exactly.” Stokes took back the reins. “However, all that said, there will be considerable— considerable —pressure brought to bear to apprehend the earl’s killer with all speed.
While we will certainly do our level best to oblige, for the next several days at least, it would be in everyone’s best interests if you officially ‘remain in police custody.’”
Mary’s eyes widened, and Curtis tensed, but it was Julian who, aghast, exclaimed, “You’re going to put Mama in jail?”
“Good gracious, no!” Penelope smiled reassuringly at Julian and at Curtis and Mary, too.
“Not at all.” She glanced at Stokes, who nodded for her to continue.
Looking back at the three on the sofa opposite, she explained, “We discussed our options on the way back here, and we think it would be best if you—Mary and Julian—remain here, in this house. At present, no one knows where you are, and it might well be preferable to keep your whereabouts from the press, at least until we’re further down the road with this investigation. ”
“If you will agree, Mrs. Alder,” Stokes rumbled, “to remain within the house, then I believe that, in the circumstances, that solution will be acceptable to the Commissioner.”
“To put matters bluntly,” Barnaby said, “the powers that be and the press will be howling for a quick arrest, and you don’t need to be the one arrested for something you didn’t do.”
Mary stared at them, then glanced at Curtis.
He felt her gaze, met it, and nodded. “I think they’re right, and it’s a good idea. You’ll be safe from any bounders of the press in here.”
“Julian, of course,” Barnaby said, “would be free to come and go.” He looked at Curtis. “And I expect you’ll have work for him.”
“Too right,” Curtis averred. He leant forward and, across Mary, caught Julian’s still-wide-eyed gaze. “I’m thinking I’ll be putting men on to watch the earl’s house, just to see who comes and goes. Who takes an interest.”
Barnaby inclined his head. “That could prove helpful.”
Curtis looked at Stokes. “With your permission, I’ll also send some of my crew around to see if they can turn up any sightings of someone in that lane or in the mews at the time of the murder.
” Curtis switched his gaze to Julian. “You can help with that. Enough of those ’round about the area will know you and speak to you more freely than they will to anyone else. ”
Stokes nodded eagerly. “That would be a great help.”
Barnaby caught Stokes’s eye. “Later today, we’ll need to follow up with individual interviews with all the family members who were at Moran House last night.
They might have been in the drawing room throughout the murder itself, but it’s possible they’ll have insights into the earl’s activities and who might have been motivated to strike the fatal blow. ”
Penelope nodded. “At present, given the family seem to have all been in the drawing room, it seems most likely that someone came in from outside the property. They might even have already been in the study when the earl entered.” She frowned, then pulled a face.
“Short of Curtis and Julian learning of someone lurking outside at the right time, that’s going to be difficult to prove. ”
“Obviously,” Stokes said, pushing out of the armchair and getting to his feet, “we need more information. Lots, lots more information.”
Barnaby rose, too, bringing Curtis and Julian to their feet as well. Barnaby smiled tiredly. “And if we’re to make sense of what we learn, we all need to get some sleep.”
Penelope stood and, beckoning, took Mary and Julian in charge. To Mary, Penelope said, “Come and I’ll introduce you to Mostyn. Julian and he are already acquainted, but Mostyn will arrange everything we need—he always does.”
Inexorably, she steered Mary and Julian ahead of her and out of the room.
Standing with Stokes and Curtis, Barnaby watched the trio depart, then turned to Stokes. “I’ll go and speak with my father later this morning, in case the Commissioner needs any assistance in keeping the howling hordes at bay.”
Curtis nodded at Stokes. “As early as I can, I’ll get my people on the job. I’ll let you know if we find anything useful.”
Barnaby asked Curtis, “You’ll take Julian with you?”
Curtis nodded. “Never fear. I’ll keep him busy and keep an eye on him as well. The truth is, if there was any cove lurking around Moran House last night, young Julian’ll be the one to find his trail.”