alibi, or break it.”
“Alibi?”
“An account of where a person was at the time of a crime, making it impossible for him or her to have been involved.”
“I know what the word means, Mr. Pitt; I just had not realized-you were-only eliminating people on-on proof of imposs. . ” she trailed away, afraid of her conclusion, confused.
“Well, when we have suspects, Mrs. Ellison, it will help to whittle them down, cast the impossible out of the picture.”
She wished more than anything that he would leave. He was a policeman, which was almost like a tradesman; it was idiotic to let him dominate her like this. Emily was right; he did have a beautiful voice, resonant and soft. His diction was perfect.
“Quite,” she said awkwardly. “But I’m afraid my husband is not at home this morning, and I cannot help you.”
He smiled gently.
“I shall come back this evening, if Mr. Ellison is expected home?”
“Yes. He is expected to dinner.”
He gave a small bow, and went to the door.
When Edward came home at quarter past six she told him of Pitt’s call, and that he would return.
He stood still, staring at her.
“He’s coming back this evening?”
“Yes.”
“You shouldn’t have told him I would be here, Caroline.” His face was stiff. “I have to go out again-”
“You said this morning-” she stopped, fear suddenly cutting off her voice. He was avoiding Pitt because he was afraid of lying to him!
“Obviously I have made arrangements since this morning,” he snapped. “Anyway, it is quite pointless. I know nothing whatsoever that I have not already told him. You may say that to him, or have Maddock do so.”
“Do you think-” she said hesitantly.
“Good heavens, Caroline, he is a policeman, not someone to be socially entertained. Have Maddock tell him I had made previous arrangements, and I know nothing that would further his investigations. If he has found out nothing so far, after all the enquiries he has made and the time he has taken, either it is an insoluble mystery, or the man is incompetent.”
But Pitt returned yet again the following evening, and was shown into the withdrawing room where Caroline and Edward were sitting with Charlotte and Grandmama. Everyone else was out at a concert. Maddock opened the door to announce him, and before anyone could reply, Pitt himself moved past him into the room.
“In a gentleman’s home, Mr. Pitt,” Edward said tartly, “it is customary to wait until you are invited before entering.”
Caroline felt herself blush for his rudeness, and go cold for his fear. He must be afraid, to depart so far from his usual good manners. Usual? Did she know him as well as she imagined? Why in God’s name had he been in Cater Street?
Pitt did not seem in the least put out. He walked further in and Maddock withdrew.
“Forgive me. Murder doesn’t often take me into the homes of gentlemen; but even they have a disinclination to speak to me, which I have to overcome by the best means available. I am sure you are as anxious as I am to identify and apprehend this man.”
“Of course.” Edward looked at him coldly. “However, I have already told you everything I know-more than once. I have nothing to add. I don’t see how repetition will help you.”
“You’d be surprised. Details get added, small things remembered.”
“I have remembered nothing.”
“Where were you that evening, Mr. Ellison?”
Edward frowned. “I have already told you. I was at my club which is nowhere near Cater Street.”
“All evening, Mr. Ellison?”
Caroline looked at Edward. His face was pale. She could almost see the struggle in his mind. Could he get away with the lie? Dear God, what was he hiding? She turned to Pitt. The clever eyes were not watching Edward, but her. Suddenly she was terrified he could see her fear, that her knowledge of the lies was in her face. She looked away, anywhere else, and found Charlotte watching her also. The room suffocated her, terror almost stopped her breathing.
“All evening, Mr. Ellison?” Pitt repeated quietly.
“Er. . no.” Edward’s voice was tight, the strain rasping.
“Where did you go, then?” Pitt was perfectly polite. If he was at all surprised he hid it.
Had he already known? Caroline’s heart tightened. Did he know where Edward had been?
“I went to visit a friend,” Edward replied, looking at him.
“Indeed,” Pitt smiled. “Which friend, Mr. Ellison?”
Edward hesitated.
Grandmama sat a little more upright.
“Young man!” she said sharply. “Remember your position, both in this house, and in society in general. Mr. Ellison has told you he visited a friend. That is sufficient for your purpose. We appreciate that you have a duty to perform, and an arduous one, necessary for justice, and for public safety. And of course we will assist you as we can, but do not presume upon our goodwill to trespass beyond your duty.”
Pitt raised his eyebrows in humour more than annoyance.
“Ma’am, unfortunately murder is no respecter of persons, or of social distinction. This man must be found or one of your granddaughters may be next.”
“Nonsense!” Grandmama said furiously. “My granddaughters are women of moral rectitude and decent habits. I appreciate that you may not be familiar with such women, and therefore I will excuse your insult as coming from ignorance rather than ill will.”
Pitt took a deep breath and let it out.
“Ma’am, we have no reason to suppose this man has any exclusive hatred of immoral women, or even any predilection for them. Miss Abernathy was a little frivolous, but no worse; Lily Mitchell had a stainless reputation, and we have yet to fault it. Even her behaviour with Brody appears so far to have been perfectly correct.”
Grandmama looked at him with a slight flaring of her nostrils.
“What is correct for a serving maid or a policeman may be quite beneath a gentlewoman,” she said damningly.
Pitt bowed very slightly.
“I beg to differ, ma’am. I believe morality is universal. Circumstances may alter the degree of blame, but not that an act is wrong.”
Grandmama drew breath to condemn his temerity, then considered his argument instead, and let it out without speaking.
Caroline looked at Edward, who was still silent, then at Charlotte. She was watching Pitt with surprise, and some respect.
Pitt looked back at Edward.
“Mr. Ellison, the name and address of your friend, if you please? I assure you, it is necessary. Also, as near as you know it, the exact time of your departure from his house?”
Again there was a moment’s silence. To Caroline it was an eternity, like waiting while you tear open a message which you know will be news of disaster.
“I’m afraid I don’t know what time I left,” Edward replied. “At the time, of course, I had no idea it would be of the least importance.”
“Possibly your friend will know,” Pitt seemed unperturbed.
“No,” Edward said quickly. “My friend-is ill. That is why I called. Er-he was already drifting to sleep when I left- that is why I departed when I did. I’m afraid we can neither of us be of any very precise assistance. I’m sorry.”
“But you did come home from the far end of Cater Street?” Pitt was not easily discouraged.
