Page 71 of Evidence of Evil
Elizabeth continued to ignore him. “What can I tell you now, inspector?”
“You understand it is expected of us to confirm all the information we are given concerning our case.”
“Of course.”
“We have just come from London,” Omand said, holding her gaze. “Perhaps there is something else you would like to tell us about your life before your marriage?”
Elizabeth paled. Constance had to concentrate on keeping still so that she didn’t grasp her friend’s hand. Omand’s eyes, outwardly benign, missed nothing. Napier’s were avid—he was eager for the lady’s fall, or perhaps just to prove his own cleverness.
A low growl issued from the door.
“No there isn’t, you insolent jackanapes,” Sir Humphrey barked. “For one thing, it’s not remotely relevant to your investigation, and for another, it’s none of your dashed business. You may leave!”
As Maule strode into the room, Constance quietly vacated her place beside Elizabeth, to let him sit there instead. She chose a more distant chair, from where she could still hear and see everyone present.
Maule’s face was an impressive, angry glower, his bushy eyebrows almost hiding his eyes and meeting across the bridge of his nose. It should have terrified the policemen, but Omand, although he looked meek, remained clear eyed. Young Napier was almost triumphant.
“Sadly, sir, I may not leave just yet,” Omand said. “My duty requires me to investigate, and I’m sure the matter is easily solved. Perhaps, however, her ladyship would prefer to answer in private?”
“Her ladyship would not,” snarled Sir Humphrey. “Say what you came to and be damn—”
“Humphrey,” Elizabeth said quietly, and he subsided, merely taking her hand in a show of support that at least relieved Constance of one worry. Until she glanced at Napier and saw the gleam of victory in his eyes brighten. He was sure that support was about to be broken.
“Very well,” Omand said in a resigned tone. “You previously stated, my lady, that you are the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Lorimer, who reside at Cedar Grove, Kensington, and that you came from there to The Willows to take up employment as governess to Sir Humphrey’s children.”
“I did,” Elizabeth said. Her shoulders remained tense. She knew what was coming.
Napier leaned forward. “Would it surprise you to know that Mr. and Mrs. Lorimer denied they had a daughter?”
Elizabeth lifted her chin. “No, it wouldn’t surprise me at all. They disowned me.”
“So we established,” Omand said with a glance of annoyance at Napier.
“Then what the devil is your business here?” Humphrey demanded. “Family quarrels are scarcely your concern.”
“They are when they reflect on the character of a murder suspect,” Napier said.
Sir Humphrey shot to his feet in fury, his fists clenched, while Napier gazed back at him with undisguised insolence.
Inspector Omand rose also. “Perhaps you’d be better employed taking notes, Napier,” he said acidly. “Too many speakers drag the matter out unnecessarily. Forgive my constable, Sir Humphrey. He is young and overeager.”
Sir Humphrey allowed himself to be mollified, and resumed his seat with dignity, although his scowl remained firmly in place.
“Mr. Lorimer informed us,” Omand said, also sitting down again, “that he cut all ties with your ladyship when… Are you sure, my lady, that you would not rather have this conversation in private?”
“Quite sure,” Elizabeth said with dignity. “Although your tact does you credit, both my husband and Mrs. S—Greyare aware that my parents disowned me for bearing a child out of wedlock. I still fail to see that it is a matter for the law.”
Napier leaned forward once more, apparently unable to contain himself, until Omand snapped his fingers without looking at him and pointed to the notebook on the constable’s knee.
“It is not, of course,” Omand agreed. “But the trouble is, this leaves a certain part of your life unaccounted for.”
How much did they know? Hiding her dread, Constance glanced from the inspector to Napier.
“How on earth is that relevant?” Humphrey exploded. “We were married months before the Nialls returned from India! And Lady Maule lived here for almost a year before that.”
“You must have a very forgiving nature, sir, to employ a governess with such a past,” Napier said. “And then to marry her.”
Sir Humphrey’s fists clenched again, his face a mask of anger. Before he could rise, Omand said between his teeth, “Wait in the hall.”
