Page 56 of The Highland Heist
“Tony had an altercation with a man two nights ago. A foreigner,” Frederick said.
“Scottish?”
He nodded. “Went by the name of Clark.”
“Oh! Frederick.” She leaned forward, her hands twisting in her lap.
“And if Clark proves to be this Roberts fellow, then Johnson and Todd will hopefully find out when they question him at his hotel.”
Grace sighed back into her chair, trying to suppress a groan. “Then maybe we can end this entire situation before too many more horrible things happen.” Her eyes flicked to Mrs. Lindsay and then back to Frederick. “I don’t believe Lillias can manage much more.”
“What are your thoughts about Mrs. James?” Frederick glanced back down the hallway before turning his attention back to Grace.
Before she could answer, her mind sparked, a memory flashing to mind. “Well, before I divulge that particular information, I just realized something. When we entered the kitchen, I noticed the windows into the back garden provide an excellent view of the area where Mr. Clark was meeting with our mysterious someone.”
Frederick looked back toward the kitchen, then locked his gaze with hers. “And you think whoever Clark met with recognized that Mrs. Lindsay may have seen them?”
“I don’t know for certain.” Grace shrugged a shoulder. “But the information about Mrs. James does make me wonder all the more about her involvement in everything.”
He tipped his head in anticipation of her elaboration, and she sent a quick look to poor Mrs. Lindsay. It felt a little strange to have such a vital conversation with someone unconscious in the room, but this was hardly the first time they’d done so.
“Lillias hired Mrs. James out of desperation after her former housekeeper left abruptly. Apparently, Mrs. James was referred by the previous housekeeper, according to her. Lillias needed someone to help with the baby and the house, and Mrs. James’ inexperience was a bargain. She started working here two weeks ago.”
Frederick’s attention sharpened. “Not long after the inheritance became yours and your sister’s.”
“Exactly.” Grace stood and began to pace, her mind whirring through what they knew so far. “Mrs. James’ service hadn’t been long, but enough to learn the workings of the house. She could easily allow people inside without garnering suspicion or anyone noticing. The murderer entered the house while everyone was out of it.”
“Information an insider would know.”
“Exactly.” She rewarded her husband with a smile, then continued her pacing. “And she would have known when Lillias would return from her outing, allowing her to frame Lillias as a suspect.”
Frederick’s jaw tightened as realization set in. “Mr. Clark was there to cast doubt on your sister’s innocence and to ensure the police were called quickly, leading to Lillias being placed under house arrest or, worse, convicted. Her potential guilt would strip her of the ability to travel at all.” Frederick’s gaze sharpened on her, as he came to the same realization flashing through her mind. “What happens to your inheritance if you and Lillias do not claim it?”
Grace swallowed. The weight of it all was beginning to settle on her chest. “It goes to auction.”
Frederick’s face darkened. “And who might want that land, Grace? Bad enough to kill for it?”
Her pulse quickened as the pieces began to fall into place. “There are resources on it. Coal, for one. But Mr. Barclay mentioned others.” Her breath caught in her throat. “Frederick, Mr. Barclay brought the papers with him to his hotel for us to sign, in case we can’t travel right away, so we can still claim the inheritance before the time is up.”
The look Frederick sent her deepened the new chill running through her chest. “Mr. Barclay told you this just a few hours ago?”
She nodded. “And is it possible that Mrs. James overheard the conversation?”
Frederick’s gaze hardened as he stepped back toward the hallway. “Grace, we need to find Detective Johnson. If Mrs. James is part of Mr. Clark’s plot and she overheard your conversation …”
“Then there is a good chance the next victim in this growing list of victims will be dear Mr. Barclay.”
Chapter 14
Mr. Barclay was in trouble.
Frederick could feel it in the pit of his stomach. Every piece of the puzzle Grace had revealed combined with the clues they’d already uncovered pointed to a single conclusion: Someone was after Grace’s inheritance. And while the method was convoluted, each step—starting with Tony’s murder—seemed deliberately aimed at that very goal.
Grace looked down at Mrs. Lindsay. “We can’t leave her here alone.”
“No.” The vision of Mrs. James holding the pillow over Mrs. Lindsay’s bed gave off unsettling hints of what may still be in Mrs. Lindsay’s future. He held his wife’s gaze, not for the first time relinquishing the power to protect her when the logical choice required them to part.
“Could we ask Miss Cox?”
