The Hanging Cheat (Lady Fan Mystery Book 10) by Elizabeth Bailey

Author:Elizabeth Bailey [Bailey, Elizabeth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sapere Books
Published: 2023-11-23T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

“Looking at this list of yours, Tom, it seems we have tackled every one of your papa’s patients except Roland Huish.”

Ottilia set the paper down and glanced around the table. As well as Patrick himself, who had finished his morning examinations, both investigating parties had returned in time to partake of the light repast provided by Betty. Ottilia had taken opportunity to pool their findings and institute a discussion on what to do next.

Averil Deakin, prevailed upon to remain both to eat and join in their talk, here entered a caveat. “You cannot have questioned Ralph.”

Ottilia laughed. “I think we may acquit your husband of any involvement.”

“I did not mean that.”

“What, then?”

“He was very well acquainted with Mr Penkevil senior. I only wondered, since Lord Francis heard so much of the young Penkevils from Bess Gubb, if Ralph might have heard some similar tale.”

“You mean for the purpose of corroboration?” Ottilia considered the question. “Do you think he will recall it?”

“He is better at recalling long past incidents than what happened yesterday.”

“Perhaps you might ask him?” Ottilia smiled across at her brother. “Averil has joined our team, you must know.”

Patrick cast a glance towards the heavens. “You mean you inveigled her into it.”

Averil spared Ottilia having to protest. “No such thing, Patrick. The murderer involved me. It is only fitting that I help to unveil the miscreant.”

“Miscreant? He is an evildoer.”

“Or she.”

Ottilia received a wry look from her brother. “You’ve thrown that theory at her too, have you?”

Before she could answer, Ben piped up. “You know, Auntilla, that might hold with Petrus Gubb too. Don’t you think so, Uncle Fan?”

“Aha! You’re thinking of that Bess,” Tom said in glee. “I’ll wager she was the one who drugged Mr Penkevil. She couldn’t abide him, could she, Uncle Fan?”

Francis raised an eyebrow. “You have settled it between you. Why bring me into it at all?”

Both boys laughed and Tom turned to Ottilia. “You see, Auntilla? You had better arrest them without more ado.”

“She will require more proofs than that, Tom.” Francis caught Ottilia’s eye. “Moreover, your aunt does not arrest anyone. She will leave that to the constables once she knows the culprit.”

“Well, I do wish you will hurry up, Auntilla. Papa is threatening to send us back to school already.”

Here Patrick entered the lists. “You can’t be absent for much longer, Tom.”

“I don’t see why we can’t just stay home till after Christmas. After all, there’s not much left of term.”

“Which is precisely why you must put in an appearance and show willing. Your masters will be a good deal more lenient with you than they would if you were absent until January.”

This reference to their bereaved state caused Ottilia to glance at Averil as Tom entered a spirited defence of his argument for remaining at home. Had Sophie’s death caused the couple to curtail their meetings? Or was it rather Ottilia’s presence? Given the conversation they’d had earlier, she inclined to the latter theory. It could not but strike

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