Page 31 of Murder at the Seven Dials
“Well, then, to get on with things…in addition to the victim’s severed carotid artery, a deep puncture wound in the pulmonary artery, and another, shallower puncture to the anterior artery were the main factors in her untimely death.”
Dr. Oppler had a list of names of those in attendance, and though he announced Mr. Bernadetto to be at the fore of the list, he shuffled to the next man to give the manager a few more minutes to compose himself.
“Mr. Newton,” he called, and one of the rag tag men Hugh had seen loitering around the hallways of Jewell House that evening stood up. He clasped his worn hat between chapped hands.
“I am told you were the first to come upon the scene. Can you expound on that for us?”
Newton bobbed his head, his scruffy neck and chin highlighted in a brief break of sunlight that streamed through the windows.
“Yes, doctor,” he said, his pronounced Adam’s apple bobbing. “I was on my way to the top floor of the Jewell to visit my brother, Reggie, who lets a room there, when I walked past number twelve. The door was open a crack. Never seen it open, so I slowed, curious like. It didn’t seem anyone were home. So, I knocked and called hullo—I didn’t want to barge in—but then I heard someone weeping and decided to peek inside.”
Mr. Newton had taken time to practice his statement. Hugh noted the man’s earnest expression as he recounted his reasons for entering the apartments.
“And what did you see?” Dr. Oppler requested.
Mr. Newton took a breath, but it faltered and caught, turning into a broken gasp. He shook his head and sealed his lips, his eyes drifting toward the corpse.
“The worst thing I’m ever likely to set eyes upon,” he replied, with a nod toward Miss Lovejoy. “She was in the bed…the blood…the stuff was everywhere.”
“And the weeping?” Dr. Oppler pressed.
“A man, on the floor near the bed. He was covered in it. Her blood, I mean. Rocking back and forth, muttering things. I can’t say what, it wasn’t all that clear. And then I ran, you see, to fetch the night watchman.”
He looked relieved to be at the end of his statement, and he sat down heavily as he was thanked and dismissed. However, Hugh had a few questions that the doctor hadn’t considered.
“Dr. Oppler, if I might ask Mr. Newton a question or two?”
Heads turned toward Hugh, and Thornton crossed his arms with a smirk, as if settling in for some entertainment.
“Of course, Officer Marsden.” Dr. Oppler glanced at the magistrate for confirmation. Sir Gabriel tucked his chin in a nod.
“How often do you visit your brother at Jewell House?” Hugh began.
The man stood again, the anxious expression back now that more answers he hadn’t prepared for were being sought.
“Every week or so, I would think. I was there twice last week, though, on account of my brother feeling poorly.”
“Have you ever crossed paths with the person who resides in room twelve? Or seen anyone coming or going?”
Hugh suspected Fournier only visited his rooms in the evenings when he could use the cover of night as an added cloaking. Mr. Newton frowned and shook his head.
“None I’ve seen.” But then his brows pinched together. “I did hear voices one time. Some hollering.”
“Hollering. As in an argument?” The witness nodded, and Hugh added, “Between a man and woman?”
“I can’t say as I heard a woman. These were men’s voices shouting.”
“Recently?”
“A fortnight or so ago, I think.”
“Thank you,” Hugh said, and again, the man sat back down.
Next to give a statement was the night watchman. He recounted being summoned to the rooms by Newton, finding a crowd of people surrounding the dead body, and having to push them all out into the corridor while sending a lad to fetch the parish constable.
Hugh perked up in his seat. He’d been so occupied once he’d arrived at Jewell House that he hadn’t taken into account that the constable had never shown. Hugh had dealt with the arrest and the removal of the body, which was sent straight to the bone house where the coroner would claim it.
“Do you know the lad you sent?” Hugh asked, wondering why the parish constable had not come.
