The Corpse at Ravenholm Castle (Lady Thea's Mysteries Book 2) by Jessica Baker

Author:Jessica Baker [Baker, Jessica]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-08-10T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Everything seemed to move rather quickly after that. Inspector Anderson positioned himself between the guests and the body. Leslie stepped forward to get a better look and the Edinburgh inspector let him, the two men discussing something in hushed tones.

“Let me go,” Thea muttered to her brother, who still had a hold on her elbow, keeping her from wandering too close to the scene.

“You don’t honestly think I did it?” Hurt filled James’ eyes.

“No but I want a look.” He didn’t let go or relax his grip, only shifting to place himself between her and the body.

“Did you happen to go to medical school and I don’t know about it?” he asked, a bit snide. “Because that’s the only way I’m letting you examine a body in front of the police.”

Thea frowned. “Now I wish I had.”

The truth was that she didn’t have any formal education past what most of the other girls her age were given. With all the murders happening around her, she thought it would be nice to have had some extra knowledge to aid her.

He scoffed, as if he knew what she was thinking. “Like I said earlier, you and trouble.”

“I’m not the one that everyone thinks shot a man.” At least, she assumed that was what they thought from the wary glances the others kept giving James.

His expression darkened but his tone stayed even. “I didn’t kill him.”

“I’m not saying you did. But someone did.”

“Why didn’t they do that this morning? It was foggy then. It would have been easier to pass it off as an accident.”

She shrugged, hoping she came across calmer than she felt. “Everyone saw you fight at lunch. As far as they’re concerned, you hit him for no reason.”

“There was every reason,” James growled. “I feel like I’m talking to a wall with you sometimes.” She shook her head. “Why is it so odd that I can’t stand back when you’re in trouble?”

His words touched her. To be honest, Cecil had never seemed to feel that way. When Cecil’s inebriated friend had put his hands on her years ago, Cecil thought that Thea was interested in that lout. As much as she loved her younger brother, he wasn’t the most observant and had never jumped to her rescue the way James did.

Perhaps he was overcompensating for the years he had chosen to stay away. But his protectiveness didn’t scare her. In fact, it made her feel rather invincible.

Leslie stepped away from the body and ushered everyone back.

“Listen up!” He told the crowd. “We’re heading inside and everyone is going to stay together until the local police can conduct their investigation.”

“But it was just an accident, wasn’t it?” Anthony asked, his eyes hard as he stared directly at James.

“Don’t be naïve,” Mrs. Erskine chided. “We all saw the way he went after poor Mr. Livingston at lunch.”

James crossed his arms, his jaw clenched but he didn’t speak to defend himself. He seemed to know it would do no good.

Thea clenched her fist.

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