Homicide at the Vicarage by Callie Hutton

Author:Callie Hutton
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Callie Hutton

“I am frustrated, Husband. We are no closer to solving Mr. Smythe’s murder than we were the day after the body was discovered.” Amy finished dressing for church and studied herself carefully to make sure everything was as it should be.

William shrugged into his jacket and motioned for her to leave the room. “At least we have a few people on our list now.”

“Yes. But very little to point to any of them.”

“If you had to put one person at the top of the list, who would it be?” William asked as they stepped off the staircase onto the entrance hall floor and he handed her forgotten reticule to her.

She sighed and took it from his hands.

The discussion ended there when the others joined them for the trip to church. Both William’s carriage and Papa’s carriage sat in front of the Manor. William, Amy, and the Colberts climbed into the Wethington carriage while Aunt Margaret, Franklin, and Mrs. Elliot claimed the Winchester vehicle.

“Have you had a chance to speak with Mrs. Elliot yet about taking her meals with us?” William asked.

“Yes. I saw her this morning when we left the breakfast room. At first, she tried to dissuade me, but then she accepted that her role was an in-between one since this was temporary employment and she was not an official member of the staff.”

“We will have to find something suitable for her once Mr. Mackay recovers,” William said.

He shifted in his seat as the carriage moved forward. “That reminds me. Has anyone except Mrs. Elliot seen this man recovering in our home? I mean, he’s been here for some time now and shouldn’t he be on his way soon?”

“I think this afternoon I shall visit him and see what the progress is,” Amy said.

Lady Lily smiled at them. “I have a feeling Mr. Mackay has no intention of ever ‘recovering’.”

“I’m sure he has a home, and I know he has a job to return to. I’m surprised the Magistrate has not written to check on his employee’s welfare. After I received the missive from Sir Archibald that Mr. Mackay should remain and conduct the investigation, I replied with the information that the man was ill,” William added.

“Do you believe the Magistrate is anxious for Mr. Mackay to return?” Amy asked. “I don’t believe he performs such a service to the office that he is severely missed. In fact, I believe Sir Archibald sending him here was to get Mr. Mackay away from him.”

They arrived at the church, and apparently word had spread that the new vicar had arrived and was giving his first sermon this morning. Carriages and horses were haphazardly parked in the area both alongside and behind the building.

Even though the vicar had only just arrived a day or so before, the ladies had managed to arrange a meal to follow the service in the Fellowship Hall. Not being aware of it, Amy watched with guilt as woman after woman walked to the hall carrying bowls and platters of food and desserts.

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