Page 147 of Once Upon A Haunted Castle
She knew it would be hard to persuade him there was no other way.
“I think you’re right. The pin has to belong to the murderer, pulled off accidentally when he removed his bloodstained shirt. We can leave it somewhere and watch who takes it or I’ll wear the pin.” He held out his hand.
She took a step back from him.
“It’s our one chance. We can’t have him take it and not capture him. As for you wearing it, you’re as big as a tree. He’ll lay in wait and kill you. It must be me and it must be done today.”
“I don’t like this. Everything in me says not to do this.”
“No, Jamie. I wear the pin and let him find me alone. You, of course, are not far away.”
“We may need to get this solved before Herbert returns tomorrow, but how could you think I would allow you to be put in such danger? I’ll let it be known that the pin’s locked in Herbert’s desk and I’ll station myself there. You and I will get the murdering bastard together. I promise. Don’t look so miserable.” His voice turned low with concern. “Your idea was a good one only it needed a bit of adjusting.”
“A compromise,” she said. “We’ll have a nice walk through the courtyard and ask people if they know to whom it belongs. If they want to look at it again, they should speak to you. It will be in Lord Herbert’s desk.”
“I’m not sure I like this compromise, but it does keep you out of danger and accomplishes what we need to do. While you dine, I’ll keep watch.”
Laura gave him a nod. She grinned, quite satisfied with herself. He took her hand and they moved on to their little conspiracy.
The weather was crisp. She pulled the wool tightly around her as they approached the tinker’s wagon.
“Lord Jamie, can I help you?” the tinker asked.
“Holger, yes two things. We’ve found a jeweled pin that Lady Laura is wearing. Do you recognize it? We’d like to return it to its rightful owner.”
Holger looked at the pin and shook his head. “It’s a pretty piece, but I can’t say that I’ve seen it before? Is there something else I can help you with?” Holger pointed to the wagon.
“I’m looking into the deaths of Evan and Angel.” Jamie glanced at the man’s hands. No crooked little finger on either one.
The man pulled his cap off and averted his eyes.
“Bad thing that was. And I thought they were such a loving couple.” The man’s unconvincing sing-song voice and insincere words struck her. Laura touched her beads, cold as the biting breeze.
“Tell me what happened.”
“What happened?” The tinker glanced at Laura. Jamie stepped in front of her. Laura moved away to look at the wares on the wagon. A panicked expression washed over the man.
“Thomas said you were in the pantry when he entered with Brian and Jermyn.”
Holger stiffened for a moment.
“Yes. It was awful. I went to put a barrel of salt into the pantry when I heard them arguing something fierce. She wasn’t any angel with the words she tossed about. I didn’t want to interrupt them and decided to go back when they were gone. When I returned with Mary they were both dead.”
“What did they argue about?” Laura stepped closer to hear the man’s response to Jamie’s question.
“It may have been a lover’s spat. All I heard was noise. She probably accused him of being unfaithful and he denied it, of course. What else would a woman argue about? I’m sorry I can’t give you more information.” His voice was unconvincing. Her beads confirmed his words were a lie.
“If you remember anything else, make sure to let me know.” Jamie stepped over to Laura. She put her hand on his outstretched arm and walked through the market.
“You didn’t want to question him about the argument? With all we know about Evan and Angel, you don’t really think they had a lover’s spat?” She was about to tell him about the beads and thought better of it. She didn’t want to upset their new found closeness.
“Not at all. He got a good look at the pin. His faulty memory doesn’t mean he’s the murderer. We’ll continue with our plan.”
“No one recognizedthe pin. Not even a hint,” Laura said, disheartened after traipsing through the market.
“Did you think the murderer would hold up his hand and say, it belongs to me? No,” he snorted. “I’ll take you into the hall then go lock the pin in Herbert’s desk as we planned. Hopefully, before supper is over, we’ll have the murderer with a full confession and you’ll be able to put Evan to rest. Now, to supper m’lady.”
