Murder at Oakschott Hall: A Gay Romance Mystery by Jim Austen

Author:Jim Austen [Austen, Jim]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: A Gay Romance Mystery
Publisher: Flying Heron Press
Published: 2019-02-18T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 19

MRS. ELLINGTON TELLS HER STORY

Mrs. Ellington was ashen pale, and her eyes showed signs of recent weeping, but there was a determination in her voice as she addressed Guthrie without bothering to say hello. “I want to speak to you. It’s most important. Will you both come up to my husband’s room?”

“Of course, Mrs. Ellington, if you wish.”

No more was said till all three were seated in the room where the previous day’s interrogations had taken place. Colin noted that Guthrie’s attitude towards Mrs. Ellington was both courteous and kindly. He appeared to have forgiven her outburst of the previous day. And no wonder, Colin thought. By dying, Max had proved his unfitness to stand the ordeal of the detective’s hostile cross-examination. “We shan’t be disturbed. You can tell me anything you like.” Guthrie patted his pockets to locate his pipe. “Do you mind if I smoke?”

She signified permission with an impatient nod. “I feel I must tell you—oh, I hate doing so, but I think it’s only fair to others. And I suppose I owe you an apology.”

“I can’t think what for.” Guthrie waved his hand dismissively. “Don’t let that bother you.”

“I hated your bullying Mr. Lambourne. That is if you were bullying him. I see now how right you were—from your own point of view.”

“What makes you think so?”

She paused. “I wouldn’t like to be a detective, Mr. Guthrie. How terrible for you to find people guilty.”

“Ah, but there are compensations. I often find people innocent as well.”

“And that is why I must tell you. It’s been so frightful for everybody here—the doubt and suspicion…” She managed not to break down by a last effort. “When I heard that Max had died, I was glad.”

“You were?”

“Yes. Glad. Can’t you guess why? Shall I have to put my reason into words for you?”

“I daresay I can make a guess. I suppose you think Max was guilty?”

Colin started in astonishment, but a glance from Guthrie quieted him. Mrs. Ellington nodded. “I not only think so. I know it. Max killed William Marshall. And Robert as well.” She buried her face in her hands and was silent for a while.

“Both of them, eh?” Guthrie didn’t act surprised. “And how do you know that?”

“Because he told me.”

She gathered courage now that her secret was out. “He was terribly ill—ill in his mind. I tried to comfort him. Then he told me. You were onto him, he said, and he had to confess to somebody. I froze. I didn’t know what to say. Oh, what could I have said to him?”

She stopped speaking to regain control over herself. “I told him he must confess to you in the morning. I think he was out of his mind when he did it. He was often out of his mind for short spells. I was sorry for him even after he had told me. Was that wrong of me?”

What does she expect Guthrie to say? Colin couldn’t take his eyes off her.

“He was raving at first, but I calmed him and made him promise to tell you.

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