“You?” The shock on Mrs. Creasey’s face mirrored that of Levi. “Why would you murder her?”
“I’m certain you’ve read the newspaper articles about Miss Braddock.” He waited for Mrs. Creasey to nod her confirmation. “Miss Drummond was the party responsible for extorting my sister. When I discovered Miss Drummond coerced Eveline out of our deceased mother’s necklace, I felt nothing but rage.”
Sadness passing through his eyes, Mr. Venning knelt, unfastened the pearl necklace from Miss Drummond’s throat, and held the jewelry out to Levi. “Please accept my apologies, Your Grace. I hope you do not judge my family solely upon the actions of my niece.”
Levi inclined his head, accepting the necklace. “I hold no ill will toward you or your daughter.”
“Whatever your motive,” Mrs. Creasey sniffed, her beady eyes locking on Mr. Braddock, “you killed Miss Drummond, and there’s only one place for murderers. Prison.”
The crowd surged toward Mr. Braddock.
“Stop!” The stern command rang through the foyer.
Everyone froze and turned en masse, staring at the entrance.
After removing his hat and coat, Mr. Hughes passed the items to the footman who’d retrieved him, then strode forward, his gray eyes drinking in the spectacle, and grimaced.
“Ah, Your Grace,” Mr. Hughes clucked, approaching Levi. “Another death? It’s quite a shame we’re meeting again under the same circumstances. Is Miss Webb the suspect again?”
“He is.” Mrs. Creasey stabbed her bejeweled finger in the direction of Mr. Braddock. “He admitted to slaughtering that poor girl.”
“That poor girl,” Mr. Braddock snarled, “was extorting money from my sister!”
Mr. Hughes expelled a heavy sigh. “And what is your name?”
“Braddock.”
“Mr. Braddock, I’m arresting you for murder,” Mr. Hughes said, crooking his finger at the doorway.
The coach driver darted forward, a pair of iron manacles clanking as he hurried across the floor. Holding out his wrists, Mr. Braddock made no attempt to escape his fate. Once the cuffs were clamped on his arms, the coach driver led Mr. Braddock through the doorway to the waiting carriage.
“The body will be removed shortly.” Mr. Hughes nodded to Mr. Venning and then to Levi. “Fastest case I’ve ever solved.”
“Don’t celebrate just yet,” Levi murmured, pulling Mr. Hughes aside and slipping the note into the constable’s hand.
“What’s this?” Mr. Hughes frowned and glanced down.
Levi licked his lips. “It’s the missive we pried from Miss Drummond’s fingers after we discovered her body.”
“It could be Mr. Braddock’s hand.”
“It could…” Levi nodded toward the waiting coach. “However, if you compare his writing to those words, I’m quite certain the scrawl won’t match.”
Mr. Hughes pinched the bridge of his nose. “Then why would he confess to murder?”
“He believes his sister committed the crime.”
“Did she?”
Levi crossed his arms over his chest. “My fiancée did not kill Miss Drummond.”
Mr. Hughes looked as though he wished to swear. Mouth folding into a thin line, he strode to the entrance, waved at the coachman, indicating the carriage should leave with Mr. Braddock, and then marched back to Levi.
“Is there anything else you haven’t shared with me?”
Fingers curling around the torn lace, Levi shook his head. He couldn’t reveal the scrap of fabric until he was certain it hadn’t come from Miss Braddock’s gown.
Nodding, Mr. Hughes shifted his attention to Mr. Venning. “We should empty out the foyer to preserve any undiscovered evidence. Would you ask your guests to return to the ballroom until we can remove Miss Drummond’s body?”
