The Tomb of the Chatelaine by Karen Baugh Menuhin

Author:Karen Baugh Menuhin [Menuhin, Karen Baugh]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Little Dog Publishing Ltd
Published: 2021-03-31T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

‘Of course no-one removed the gun while I was there,’ Lydia replied.

‘Could they have gone back shortly afterwards?’ Swift wasn’t giving up.

‘We all left together, we came back here and played a silly game until it was time to change for dinner.’

We were in the drawing room of the mansion, sitting on the sofas. It was bright, with sunshine falling through the tall windows. We’d gone through to the house and found Billie to send him off in search of Lydia. She was supposed to come alone, but Persi had been with her when the message was delivered and had refused to take no for an answer. I was pleased to see her, but she remained aloof.

‘Did Finn act strangely?’ I asked.

‘No, he made us all laugh; it was fun.’ She was enjoying herself despite our questioning.

Persi added, ‘I asked him where he was at the time of Monroe’s accident and he said he was in his room, making calculations.’

‘Can he prove that?’ I asked.

‘He said Trent had seen him,’ Persi answered.

‘Very convenient,’ I remarked.

‘Lennox, just because you don’t like him, doesn’t mean he’s a murderer,’ Persi retorted.

I decided to shut up.

‘Lydia, who arranged for the parcels to be sent back from Alaska?’ Swift continued.

‘And when?’ I added.

‘It was Sinclair.’ Lydia regarded us. ‘I only realised it was him when I was older and recognised his writing. Mama said he packed up the belongings after Papa was killed and returned them to her.’

Swift paused at that, as did I. It made sense, and it was probably one of the reasons why Lydia had begun her childhood detecting.

‘Do you believe Sinclair killed Randolph?’ I asked her outright.

Her silliness vanished. ‘Yes, I think he could have.’

‘Lydia, you’ve been plaguing everyone with this nonsense for years.’ Persi was exasperated. ‘If Sinclair had killed your papa, why would he send his belongings back? Why would he even have come here? He’d have tried everything possible to distance himself from it.’

‘Papa’s death never meant anything to him, he only returned the belongings because Mama wrote to ask him.’

‘At least he did return them,’ Persi retorted.

Lydia’s brows suddenly snapped together. ‘Persi, you’ve always supported Sinclair. Just because he helped your parents pay for your school fees.’

‘That’s a ridiculous thing to say.’ Persi seemed shocked.

‘No, it isn’t, everyone makes excuses for him,’ Lydia rebutted.

Persi retaliated. ‘Your mother would hardly have stayed with him if he were so dreadful.’

‘That has nothing to do with it. Sinclair gets away with anything he wants. He throws a handful of money at someone and they just buckle. He buys people, and I thought you were better than that.’ She looked close to tears and suddenly got up and ran out, which brought the interview to an abrupt end.

‘What was all that about?’ I asked.

Persi looked downcast. ‘My parents had a financial embarrassment and he loaned them money. They paid it back… Look, I don’t like Sinclair and I don’t admire his tactics, but he was prepared to help when no-one else would.

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