Every single servant seemed to have been accused of the crime, and according to the liveried man that Theodore spoke to in the hallway, the police had been rough and unkind, attempting to browbeat and bully them into confessions as the servants were each marched through a series of interrogations. “But none of us know anything, sir; not a thing, and John Parker was one of our own, sir. We’re scared and we’re upset but none of us are murderers, sir.”
“Did anyone dislike Parker?”
“He was hardly ever here. He was always off with the master. But when he was here, he was fine company.”
“Let it be known that I do not think any one of you are in danger,” Theodore said. “I don’t know what the police have told you, but the intended victim was clearly Lord Buckshaw himself and not Parker. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. There is not a murderer in the house out to get the servants. Indeed, it is Lord Buckshaw who is the target so you all need not worry.”
“Yet if there is a murderer in amongst us, of course we will worry,” the man replied.
“Oh, yes, I suppose so. But try not to,” Theodore said, attempting to be sympathetic even though his mind was already exploring the idea that the murderer had come in from outside. “What do you think to Oscar Brodie?”
“I – er – Lady Katharine’s son? He seems to be a fine young gentleman,” the servant replied politely.
Theodore dropped his voice. “You seem like a reliable and honest man,” he said. “I am speaking to you frankly and I would very much value your opinion. Does he ever come into the house?”
“Usually only when Lord Buckshaw is home. I have seen him about a little more lately, but he has usually been in your company, sir.”
“Ah. Yes. Of course. Has he been different lately?”
The servant’s eyes widened as he realised what Theodore was getting at. “No, sir. Are you suggesting that he is responsible?”
“Does that seem at all likely or unlikely to you?”
“Um. I would hate to say, sir.”
Theodore frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Nothing, sir. I really can’t say, sir.”
It was a dead end. Theodore let him go.
But he went straight to Adelia. She was back in the drawing room, on her own, and making the most of the space by indulging in some pacing around of her own. She jumped and stopped walking when he entered.
“Are the police still here?”
“They seem to be packing up to go. Listen to this conversation I’ve just had with one of the servants.”
“Which one?”
“A man in livery. Tall, young, gap between his front teeth...”
“Riley. He’s steady enough. Go on.”
Theodore was able to relate the whole dialogue verbatim and she was rolling his eyes before he had even finished. “He thinks that Oscar could be the murderer,” she said.
“He didn’t say that.”
“Exactly. If he thought Oscar was innocent, he would have protested as much. His equivocation speaks volumes.”
“Huh. I just thought he was being evasive.”
“He was, dear heart, but there’s always a reason for it.” Adelia smiled at him. “This is good information. Well done.”
“Are you my superintendent now?” he said a little crossly.
“Don’t be spiky. You know you have your strengths, and I have mine. Now you can listen to what I’ve talked about with Lady Agnes and The Countess, and perhaps you can offer me some insight.”
Theodore stood by the window, not really looking at anything, and instead paid close attention to Adelia’s recount of her conversation. At the end, he said, “I agree with you. It is utter nonsense to make such a big noise and fuss over some fake lapis lazuli, especially as it’s all from so long ago.”
“It makes more sense to tell everyone. I can’t see why it has to be hushed up. I suspect it is simply that The Countess lacks power and influence and this is nothing more than a stupid game to her.”
“Really? She is a well-respected woman and her word has great sway. Is that not power?”
Adelia gave him a withering look that he could not read, but he felt chastened anyway, even though he wasn’t sure what he’d got wrong.
“Even so, she is still only a woman, and of an older generation,” Adelia said. “And poor Lady Agnes is thoroughly bound to her and I don’t think she enjoys it. She might be our way in.”
“I am not sure I follow your thinking. But more importantly, do we suspect them of any involvement in either of the crimes?”
“No,” Adelia said. “I think they only look guilty because they are so caught up in this silly curse. It’s become an obsession with them. I suppose they have very little else to occupy themselves. And as Knight knew something about it, he looks like he is linked to them, but he probably isn’t.”
Theodore nodded. He turned to look at his wife, and was struck by her faraway expression. “What is it?” he asked.
“They spoke of money and marriages,” she said slowly. “I wonder if it is worth examining the family tree again.”
“It could be. And we have nothing else to do.” His attention was caught by the movement of figures across the lawn outside. “I think the police are leaving.”
She came to his side. “And no arrests made. Do you think they went to the gatehouse?”
“I heard that they did, and spoke to both Brodie and his mother.”
“What do we do now?” she asked. “Mrs Carstairs has furnished me with a list of tasks I need to do before this Friday’s ball. I confess, I am hardly in the mood for
