Chapter 6 #3
There was something in his voice, something almost...sad, with a grief that seemed quite deep.
He gathered himself and nodded. “You must tell me the real reason you are here, Lady Forsythe.”
“I was hoping there might be something you could tell me about the last weeks he was here, what he was working on. Perhaps a case he was preparing to present that might have been difficult. Possibly a disagreement with a client.”
He watched me intently from across his desk.
“You are making inquiries into his murder.”
“Lady Ellsworth has requested it. I am hoping there might be something you could tell me about his time here that might provide some insight that the police are not aware of.
“Did he have any interaction with clients? Someone who might have held a resentment toward him? Perhaps a threat against the firm? Or some difficulty that he spoke of? Perhaps a personal matter that had he struggled with?”
“You are quite direct, Lady Forsythe.”
“I have found that often the smallest detail can reveal an important clue that might resolve a difficult situation. Anything that you might remember, something that he mentioned might be the very information that could bring resolution and peace to the family.”
Silence filled the office. It was there once again, that expression that revealed...something. Yet I could not determine what it was.
“Thomas was quite brilliant and driven. He mastered the aspects of Crown law with amazing clarity. His responsibilities here were as my assistant in the court cases. Once the required internship was completed, I had hoped to make him a partner.
“He met with clients on my behalf in order to take statements and outline prospective courses of action before going to court. I know of no difficulties in that regard. As for his personal life...” he paused once again.
“There was a young woman, Miss Athena Radcliffe. He had spoken of it some months ago. But I believe that was in the past by mutual agreement. He did not seem affected when her betrothal was announced.”
It did seem far more likely that the attack and his death was as a result of the robbery.
“I appreciate the information on behalf of Lady Ellsworth,” I replied, having made a mental note of the information he shared.
“I met Sir Thomas some years before through my great-aunt, along with his brother. For all they were twins, they seemed quite different in nature—the pranks of young men. This must be most difficult for the entire family and yourself as well.”
“I was quite fond of Thomas. He had a brilliant future, so very sad.”
He stood then, “If there is nothing else, Lady Forsythe?”
There it was, his reaction that I had seen twice. Most definitely something private that he had no intention of sharing.
An affection for a young man with a brilliant future, quite obviously. Was it more than that?
Our meeting was obviously at an end. I thanked him as I stood to leave.
“You will please give my condolences to Lady Ellsworth.”
“Of course,” I replied, although I thought the request somewhat odd.
With such a close association, albeit as an employee, he admittedly had great affection for Sir Thomas and would have attended the funeral and expressed his condolences at that time.
Yet, to express them now? A mere courtesy? Or was it something more?
Before returning to the office on the Strand, I sent a formal message to meet with Lady Ellsworth from the courier’s office.
I then returned to the office to make my notes from my meeting with Sir Anderson-Fitch and await a response from Lady Ellsworth.
It arrived quite timely…however, not precisely as I anticipated. It was from Sir Robert Ellsworth, Thomas’s father. He was frequently abroad handling business interests for his family. I was not aware that he had returned to London.
‘Lady Forsythe,
I am aware of your efforts on behalf of my mother, Lady Eugenia Ellsworth. You must understand the recent event affecting our family has been most distressful for her.
She has recently suffered a recurring episode and has left London for our country home.
At this time, I must insist that you cease all efforts in this regard, as any contact could be very stressful, perhaps even life-threatening.
My son and I appreciate your understanding. I will see that you are compensated for your time in this matter.
Sir Robert Ellsworth
A recurring episode?
There was no further explanation what that might mean. Only that she had left London to recover.
There had been no indication that she was afflicted by some malady when we met at Sussex Square. Nor had my great-aunt mentioned any affliction.
In fact, she seemed hale and hearty and most determined to find the person responsible for her grandson’s murder. Although at her age, very near the same as Aunt Antonia, I suppose an ‘illness’ brought on by grief was possible.
Providing Lady Ellsworth information on what I had learned so far, little as it was, was not required for now. Still, for her to have taken herself off to the country after an ‘episode’ did seem most unusual.
There was someone who might be able to provide information.