Page 45 of Dark Tidings on the Thames
“Do you think Mr. Yardley killed Glynn?” Kara asked gently. “Please, you knew them both. Tell us what you feel about it.”
Beth frowned, thinking, before she glanced uncertainly about.
“Tell them what you think,” Gyda urged.
“I just…” Beth sucked in a breath and surged on. “Glynn was my friend, but I never felt easy about how she accused Mr. Yardley. I only met him a few times, but he seemed kind. Sincere in his desire to help. We all heard that the people in his district appreciated him. Some of them even wrote to the board, thanking them and Mr. Yardley in particular.” She paused. “I asked her once if she was sure. She told me I just didn’t understand the sort of man Yardley was.” Her shoulder lifted. “But I think he wasn’t that man. Not any longer.”
“Then there isn’t really a choice, is there?” asked Gyda. “If you are all right in your assessments and Yardley didn’t do it, then Beth and the other people associated with the Wardrobe still have a killer in their midst. What if something else happens?”
Niall sighed, facing the inevitable. “Then it is agreed? We continue looking for another suspect in Glynn Foulger’s murder?”
“Yes, but how?” asked Gyda. “Where do we go from here?”
“We can start with that list of male volunteers with the charity,” Kara said. “Mr. Chambers promised to get it for me.”
“Wooten is ahead of you,” Niall informed her. “He’s even now looking into Mr. Jephson.”
“Why?” asked Kara.
Niall made a face. “I told you he was at the burial. Wooten didn’t like the cut of his jib.”
Gyda snorted, but Kara nodded. “The inspector has good instincts.” She looked to Beth. “What of Royston? What is your feeling about him?”
Beth winced. “I really couldn’t say. I have not had much contact with him, until lately. He comes in at all sorts of odd hours. Early and late, but that’s because he has other responsibilities, or so I’ve heard.”
“And what of the oh-so-helpful Mr. Chambers?” asked Gyda.
“Oh no, it couldn’t be him,” Beth said at once.
“Why not?” Gyda demanded. “He could have been looking to put Kara off his scent.”
“No, no. Mr. Chambers is genuinely kind. You know, the sort of kind that sends you home when you feel ill. He arranged for a temporary replacement for Mr. Martin when his son had an accident, so that he could see to him. He remembered that Mrs. Nolan loves eels and brought her a pie on her birthday.”
“Well. Fine, yes. That would seem to be a stretch,” Gyda grumbled.
“We can divvy up the list when it comes,” Turner said. “I can investigate the merchants, under the guise of looking for supplies or contracts for Bluefield.”
“Get me a copy of it when it arrives,” said Stayme. “I’ll check all the names against my files.”
Niall’s mind was turning. “I think I will go down to Scotland Yard to speak with John Yardley again. He’s had plenty of time to think these last days. Maybe he’s recalled something useful.”
Before anyone else could say anything, they all heard the overly loud voice of Tom, the underbutler, beyond the parlor door.
“Yes, indeed, Master Harold.” His voice was coming closer. “It is indeed teatime. I believe everyone is gathering in the parlor. Let me get the door for you.”
The latch was fumbled a bit before the door swung open and Harold came through.
Thank you,Niall mouthed to Tom.
Harold stopped, looking surprised to see all the faces staring back at him.
“Harold, there you are, at last!” Gyda said without a trace of guile. “We were waiting for you to come before we started.”
The boy’s face lit up at the sight of the food. “Good! I’m hungry. I only had two ham sandwiches and a bowl of soup for lunch.”
They all dug in then, and the talk turned general and a good deal lighter. Niall did serious damage to the pile of chicken salad sandwiches and the cream puffs. He watched everyone eating, laughing, teasing each other, and felt the tension ease from his shoulders.This. These moments. These people, who returned his care and regard wholeheartedly—they were what had him waking every morning with anticipation and excitement. His art used to be the only way he could cover the holes inside of him, but this… this filled them in. And they felt it, too. He was overwhelmed with love, and pride, and again with the desire to widen their circle.
Beth asked Harold to show her the laboratory, and they all decided to accompany them, except for Stayme, who went back to his rooms, and Turner, who went to see to the wines for dinner.
