An Unexpected Misfortune (An Anna Fairweather Murder Mystery Book 4) by Blythe Baker

Author:Blythe Baker [Baker, Blythe]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-02-19T16:00:00+00:00

8

When we arrived back at Mrs. Montford’s home, Mr. Jerome had changed his mind. Instead of going right to the authorities, he decided to come in with me to speak with his aunt.

It seemed that the trip in the car had somehow solidified his resolve on the matter and his trust in me had only deepened.

“I imagine my aunt will not be pleased that the matter has yet to be settled but at least she will be happy to be one step closer,” Mr. Jerome said.

“Maybe so,” I said as we made our way up the front steps. I was still far from convinced that anything Maddie might tell the police would be of use.

Mr. Fitzroy greeted us at the door and informed us that Mrs. Montford was in the sunroom at the far end of the hall.

“Aunt Bea?” Mr. Jerome asked, the two of us walking into the room together. “Aunt Bea, are you in here?”

“Over here, boy.”

I looked and found Mrs. Montford standing before the row of built-in shelves along the wall the door was fixed upon. It was filled with empty planter pots, all of which were ready to be filled for the spring. She seemed to be arranging them.

“Well, what did you learn?” she asked, dusting off her hands.

Mr. Jerome’s eyes jumped to me at once. “Anna spoke with the maid,” he said.

“I did, yes,” I said.

“And?” Mrs. Montford asked, raising her brows as she looked at me. “What did she say?”

“She…told me a great deal,” I said. “Things that she had been too frightened to tell anyone else.”

Mrs. Montford’s eyebrows rose even further. “Really?”

“Yes,” I said. “And I have chosen to keep the girl’s secrets, until she has the chance to speak with the police.”

Her expression hardened. “Did she kill him?” she asked.

“I do not think so but I cannot yet be certain. I hope for her innocence,” I said.

“Yet you keep her secrets,” Mrs. Montford said, walking away from us and toward the sitting area nearer to the windows.

“She does not wish to endanger the girl,” Mr. Jerome said, using my own words from earlier.

Mrs. Montford glanced at me, her eyes flashing. “Yes, well, she has agreed to speak with the police?”

“Yes, ma’am,” I said.

“That is all there is to it then,” she said, folding her hands. “They will do with her information what they will.”

She took a seat at the window, picked up a cross stitch that was partially finished, and resumed working on it.

Mr. Jerome looked over at me, his eyes betraying surprise.

This is not the response we were expecting…

I had thought she would be a great deal more upset that there were no further answers. Given how we had spoken about the other deaths in detail, I thought she would immediately begin a barrage of questions for both her nephew and me. I had prepared myself for an assault that I might not be able to refuse.

“Well, then you must be on your way, Jerome,” Mrs. Montford said. “I know it will not do you well to delay in sharing this information.

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