The Golden Hour: A Lady Evelyn Mystery (The Lady Evelyn Mysteries Book 4) by Malia Zaidi

Author:Malia Zaidi [Zaidi, Malia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: BookBaby
Published: 2019-03-25T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 37

Agnes and Lucy are only vaguely impressed with my news from the inspector and Hugh, though Lucy gasps when I tell them of the vandalism at Elderbrooke Park.

She, too, recalls the vibrant blossoms delicately, lovingly planted in ordered beds in the garden, the elaborate topiaries and attention to every detail and is saddened that added ugliness has hailed down on the community.

“I spoke to an old friend of mine, who has lived in London his whole life,” Agnes begins. “She knows everyone in our circles and will ask around about Randolph Tallis.”

“She hadn’t heard of him?”

“Nettled though she was to admit to such a deficit in her social knowledge, no, she had not.”

“And what of you, Lucy? Were you able to learn anything new from your visitors?”

“Well,” Lucy spreads her hands on her lap, leaning forward, “there was plenty of chatter about Tilly. We are not the only ones beginning to wonder whether Josslyn’s death could be connected in some way. My friend Margaret indicated rumors have been coursing through the village.”

“Naturally.” I sigh. “Go on. When Lockhart was here, you mentioned that a band of gypsies was believed responsible?”

“Yes. If you ask me, though, it seems terribly convenient to blame it on the gypsies. Next, they’ll be responsible for last night’s storm!”

“Which begs the question: Why would the local police blame someone who, in all likelihood, was innocent and allow the real killer to go on living his or her life as they pleased?”

“You think the police were covering up for someone? Could it not be more likely they were incompetent and merely wanted the case closed?” Lucy frowns.

“Perhaps. Let us go back to your first question. If the police in charge were not incompetent or lazy, but instead discovered who murdered Josslyn, could this person not have been someone the policeman in charge wished to protect, a local?” My logic is far from flawless, earning me dubious looks by my aunt and cousin. Nonetheless, I barge on. “It may be valuable to learn who the investigating policeman was at the time.”

“That should be easy enough to find out. I might have even taken note of it when I was going through the paper’s archive. Surely, he was mentioned,” Lucy replies. “Nevertheless, I hope you are not suggesting local bobby tried to protect local boy, Teddy McNally. Or worse, that mother bought his silence.”

“Lucy!” I exclaim, for this was truly far from my mind. “I am thinking more of the likes of Ewan Blackwood, if you really want to know.”

She shrugs and gets to her feet. “Wait here while I fetch my notes.” She leaves the room. Should I be offended or intrigued by her supposition? I decide to simply push it aside for the moment.

“Lockhart is suspicious of Teddy,” Agnes whispers with Lucy out of earshot.

“He is suspicious of many young men. He hinted it is difficult to get people to speak openly with him, an outsider.” Such reticence is a common and often accurate representation of rural communities.

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