Page 81 of Lies in Little Sutherland
Crispin eyed me over his glass.“Is that a possibility?”
“No,” Christopher said, at the same time as I qualified, “Not a very likely one, I suppose.If we’re both unmarried at thirty, we said we’d consider it.But?—”
“Pippa isn’t likely to last to thirty,” Christopher said.“Or at least I thought not, until a few months ago.”
A few months ago, that statement might have confused me.As it was, I knew that he was referring to Crispin’s engagement to Laetitia.And so did Crispin.His cheeks colored.
“You wouldn’t be first in line anyway,” I told Christopher.“Francis is first after your father.And you know that he and Constance will have children.”
“You never know who can or cannot have children,” Christopher said, and I watched Crispin wince at the reminder.Christopher winced, too, once he realized what he had said.A beat of silence followed.Then we all took a collective breath.
“With that out of the way,” Crispin said, “what were you trying to prove, skulking around in my dressing room, Kit?”
Christopher muttered something.
“He was being daft,” I said, so Christopher wouldn’t have to.“Here’s the thing, St George.On paper, what we just discussed serves as motive for every one of these murders.Grimsby figured it out and told your grandfather, who called your mother on the carpet.Lydia Morrison left your mother’s employ when you were a few months old, presumably because she knew the truth.Margaret Hughes was her replacement, and she figured it out, most likely from Grimsby but perhaps from Morrison or your mother.Doctor Meadows delivered you, so he might have known.He did know that you were born ‘prematurely—'” I used my fingers to make quotes around the word, “—which would indicate that the delivery date didn’t line up with your father’s… with Uncle Harold’s expectations.”
“And you thought I killed them all?”
“No,” I said, with a glance at Christopher.“I know you wouldn’t do that.”
“You thought I’d killed Grandfather and Grimsby in April.”
“That was before I got to know you better,” I said.
He muttered something non-committal, and I added, “Come now, St George.You rescued me from a fate worse than death a month ago.You can’t tell me we aren’t friends.”
“She’s got you there, old man,” Christopher opined, and Crispin scowled for a moment before acquiescing.
“Very well.We’re friendly, and you didn’t believe me guilty of murder.”
“Not this time,” I said.“But you have to admit it’s all a bit suspicious.First your mother kills her father-in-law and his valet, and then herself.Then her former lady’s maid goes missing.Her current lady’s maid is murdered.Then her former lady’s maid is murdered.Then her doctor is murdered.Then the footman, or perhaps I should say chauffeur, is murdered?—”
“Someone left that night,” Christopher interrupted.“The night before we motored to Upper Slaughter.I heard a motorcar.”
Crispin shook his head.“It wasn’t me.I went to bed after we spoke, and I didn’t wake up until morning.I only woke then because I had set an alarm.”
“You did seem rather sleepy at the end of our talk,” Christopher confirmed.“Unusually so, I’d say.I don’t suppose you ate or drank anything that might have put you to sleep?”
Crispin sneered.“I assure you that I can hold my liquor, Kit.”
I rolled my eyes.“Not like that, you nitwit.He’s wondering whether someone doped you.”
“Not that I can noticed.But I suppose it’s possible.You and I didn’t have anything to drink while we were talking.Before that, it’s anyone’s guess.”
“I assure you I didn’t go out of my way to dope you,” I said dryly.“I wouldn’t have minded if you’d come along with us.Nor would Francis or Constance.”
“The obvious suspect,” Christopher said, “is your fiancée.You wouldn’t hesitate to accept a drink from her, and she had incentive to…” He floundered for a moment before settling on, “…to keep you home.”
“Aside from that,” I added, “Laetitia also has the most to lose if the truth comes out.Apart from you, of course, Crispin.But you said you didn’t motor up to the Cotswolds and kill Morrison, and someone did.”
“And you think it was Laetitia?”
I opened my mouth, but Christopher got there first.“That would depend on what she knows?—”
Crispin turned to him.“I certainly haven’t told her!”
“I didn’t think you had done,” I told him calmly.“It isn’t news we want to get out, is it?But she may have found out the same way Christopher did.”
