The Templar Detective and the Lost Children by Kennedy J. Robert

Author:Kennedy, J. Robert [Kennedy, J. Robert]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Action & Adventure
Amazon: B08SKPG695
Goodreads: 56651999
Publisher: UnderMill Press
Published: 2021-02-25T08:00:00+00:00

26 |

Sir Denys de Montfort Estate Paris, Kingdom of France

Marcus and Simon both rose and a troubled Sir Denys rejoined them, closing the door behind him. He motioned for them to sit, then dropped into his own chair, shaking his head. “This is far worse than we thought.”

Marcus leaned forward. “What have you found out?”

Denys sighed. “Sir Charles knows nothing of the baby’s origins, but a healthy boy was born to Lord François in the past several days.”

“You didn’t mention our suspicions?”

Denys shook his head. “No, and I suppose it would be Lord François’ word against ours if I did.”

“Something vexes you. What else did you learn?”

“It is most disturbing. It would appear that the midwife and chambermaid, along with the coachman, were murdered on their way back to Paris yesterday.”

Simon cursed. “If that doesn’t confirm things, I don’t know what does!”

Marcus held out a hand, calming his sergeant. “What else did he say?”

“He said he came upon a carriage belonging to Lord François outside of Paris. He found the coachman dead where he sat, and the two women raped with their throats slit lying in a nearby field. Shortly after, Lord François arrived in another carriage with his wife and newborn. They were apparently returning from their country estate. He was informed of what happened, and indicated that there was a third woman with them, the lady’s maid.”

“And they didn’t find her?”

“No. Evidently she escaped.”

Marcus frowned, leaning back. “Was there any indication as to who committed this atrocity?”

“Ruffians, it would appear.”

Marcus grunted. “I suspect something more nefarious. If we assume that Lord François did indeed have a newborn kidnapped in order to have a male heir, he would need to keep this a secret, otherwise everything could be lost. The three women in that carriage were probably the only witnesses to what had happened.”

“But what did happen?” asked Simon. “Can we be sure?”

“How many newborns were there?” asked Marcus.

Denys eyed him. “Just the one, I believe.”

“Then that confirms it.”

Denys’ mouth opened in understanding as his head slowly bobbed. “You mean if that boy were indeed kidnapped, then the child that Lady Denise was carrying must have died at birth, otherwise there would be two newborns in the carriage, a boy and a girl.”

“Precisely. And if their real child died at birth, the midwife would naturally be aware, and I’m assuming the lady’s maid and chambermaid would be in the room at the time as well.” Marcus shrugged. “I’m not really familiar with such things.”

Denys waved a hand. “Nor am I, though I believe you to be correct. Then there’s the fact that they went to their country estate so close to when the baby was due.”

“Yes, that’s curious, and I believe makes no sense unless we assume Lady Denise gave birth here, the baby died, then they headed for the estate where their kidnapped baby was delivered where there would be less risk of witnesses than at a large estate like here in the city.”

Denys shook his head in shock.

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