Page 53 of Murder at Hambledon Hall
Harry wasn’t as disappointed as me. Indeed, he had another suspect in mind, someone with far greater access to the house than the vicar. “Butlers put on cultured accents. Some sound more upper class than their employers.”
I gazed along the road that led to Hambledon Hall. “That’s true. The Kershaws’ butler is one such fellow, and he also has easy access to the silverware.” I set off in the direction of the house. “We’ll question him now. It shouldn’t be too difficult without the family at home.”
“Unless he’s napping,” Harry said, matching my strides. “Or drunk.”
The butler wasneither drunk nor napping. He was in his office in the service area, going through paperwork. The footman who escorted us closed the door as he left, giving us privacy.
Renton gave me a quizzical look. “Miss Fox, this is a surprise. The family are in London, staying at your hotel, as I’m sure you are aware.”
“We’re here to speak to you. This is my friend, Mr. Armitage. He’s a private detective.”
Renton’s bushy eyebrows shot up his forehead. “Is this regarding the death of Mr. Shepherd?”
“It is. We’ve been tasked with proving the murderer is the missing poacher.”
“The poacher! Yes, of course.” The eyebrows settled as Renton relaxed. “Lord Kershaw hasn’t said anything to me about hiring a detective.”
“He isn’t the one who hired us.”
Renton frowned. “Who did?”
“I’m not at liberty to say.”
“Why areyouinvolved, Miss Fox? I don’t understand whyyouare here whenheis the private detective.”
“Miss Fox is assisting me,” Harry said before I could answer. “Considering her unique situation as a witness, I thought she’d be helpful.”
Renton turned back to me. “Do Sir Ronald and Lady Bainbridge know you are here?”
I smiled through my clenched jaw. “I’m a grown woman and can do as I please.” I softened my snippy response by adding, “In any case, my uncle approves.”
“Very well, I’ll answer your questions.”
I could well imagine this imperious fellow being the third man that Crippen overheard in the woods arguing with Esmond Shepherd. He sounded cultured and gentlemanly and was far bossier than I remembered him being while I stayed at Hambledon Hall last weekend.
“You mentioned that athiefmurdered Mr. Shepherd,” Renton went on. He addressed Harry, even though I’d been the one to mention the thief.
“It’s a possibility,” Harry said. “What do you know about the thefts from the house?”
Renton’s gaze flicked between us, perhaps wondering how much we knew. “Some candlesticks went missing, as well as some cutlery and a few other valuable items.”
“Who do you think took them?”
Renton shook his head. “I don’t know. The house is usually locked up at night, so I doubt anyone broke in. It’s easier to enter the house during the day when the servants are busy and the doors unlocked.”
“Even so, wouldn’t a stranger be noticed?”
“One would assume so.”
Harry waited, but Renton didn’t expand on the theory. “Then wouldn’t it be logical to assume the thief was someone known to the household?” Harry prompted. “Someone who could freely walk in and out without raising suspicions?”
Renton’s jaw stiffened. “It’s possible one of the staff may be involved, but I cannot confront anyone without proof. Lady Kershaw has asked me to wait until we have it.”
“Isn’t the silverware under lock and key?” I asked. “In my experience, the butler is the only member of staff who has access to it.”
His jaw stiffened even more. “Are you accusingmeof theft, Miss Fox?”
“It would be remiss of us not to consider you. Indeed, given what we know, you should be at the top of our list.”
