No Stone Unturned, page 8
part #1 of Lucy Lawrence Series
“I’ll thank you to remember it is my job to determine who is guilty or not,” Wilson said.
“Forgive me, but I was under the impression it was for a court of law to decide such things,” she retorted.
Wilson gave her a withering look and grunted.
“Do you not realise the real culprit is long gone? Why did you not come when the theft was discovered on Christmas Day?” Lucy asked. Wilson smarted but made no comment. “It had to be one of the guests.”
“Well, you would say that, wouldn’t you,” he responded, quick as a flash.
Lucy stiffened. How on earth was she to convince him of her innocence? “For some reason my brother will not contemplate the idea one of them could have done it. Indeed, a servant could also be responsible. Have their rooms been searched?” Wilson shifted in his seat but continued to smirk. Lucy took a steadying breath. “Anyone could have entered my mother’s room and taken the pearls during the night.”
The sergeant flicked a glance at the constable who was scribbling in his notebook. “I have spoken to all the servants and to the family. Other than her maid, no one knew she had taken something to help her sleep, but you.”
“And most of the guests are regular visitors and would know the rooms are never locked. The thief was only waiting for the right opportunity,” Lucy replied.
“Why not last year or the year before? The only difference is your presence in the house. And, most importantly, how would they know the pearls were still in the room?”
“An opportune theft, perhaps?” she snapped.
Sergeant Wilson rolled his eyes. “However, you knew for certain. Your mother told me you undid the clasp and put them on her dressing table,” he replied with a self-satisfied look.
“She asked me to,” Lucy pointed out, her anger finally igniting.
“Like the feel of those pearls, did you?” he asked, leaning towards her. “Or was it the emerald that caught your eye?”
“No!”
“Bitter you were thrown off when you eloped, you hoped to get your revenge on these good people,” he continued. “No doubt, you planned it all along, eh? Your brother told us you changed your mind at the last minute about coming here for Christmas. Had your recent change in circumstances anything to do with it? According to Mr Somerville, you are virtually penniless, which gives you a motive.”
“What? That is utter nonsense,” she said, her stomach turning over. She could guess who had poisoned him against her.
“I don’t know. Seems plausible to me.”
Lucy clenched her teeth. “My brother and sister-in-law are mistaken. I have no grudge against my family. On the contrary, I am recently widowed, and I was grateful to them for welcoming me into their home. Why would I betray their trust so? It is ridiculous.”
The sergeant’s eyebrows shot up. “Is that so?”
“Yes!”
“Well, you have a strange way of showing your gratitude.” The constable snorted and the sergeant rested his rather large chin on his steepled fingers. “It all boils down to this, Mrs Lawrence. Your family believe you did it. I believe you did it. You had the perfect opportunity, and you knew you could go back into her room and she would not wake.”
“The pearls were on the table when I left. It was the maid’s job to give them to my brother to put in the safe. I had no reason to believe she would not do so.”
“We only have your word for it. Now, Mrs Lawrence, please be good enough to give my constable a full statement.”
“Certainly,” she said, “though it hardly seems to matter what my version of events is.”
The sergeant smiled and sat back in his chair, “Your problem, as I see it, Mrs Lawrence, is the evidence points to you and only you.”
“What evidence would that be?”
He held out his hand. A solitary pearl nestled in his palm. “Can you explain why this was found under your bed?”
Lucy could think of nothing to say.
Harrogate Police Station, the Next Day
Much to Lucy’s surprise the cell in Harrogate Police Station was larger than she had anticipated. However, all her other expectations were fully met: the building was old, cold and rat-infested and the food left a lot to be desired. For most of the morning she was left in her cell with only the constable stopping by with her breakfast. Lucy was sure it was a deliberate ploy by the sergeant to make her feel vulnerable.
Around midday, she was taken out to be questioned. The interview room looked suspiciously like a store room which had been hastily set up with a table and a couple of chairs. Boxes and crates were stacked up against the wall and the window was so obscured by grime, it was impossible to tell if it was day or night in the outside world. A smoking oil lamp sat on the table, its fumes making her empty stomach queasy.
Sergeant Wilson sat glowering at her. Not in a co-operative mood, she folded her arms, set her expression to indignant and stared right back at him.
“When is this farce going to end?” she asked after several minutes of a silent war of wills. “You can’t keep me here indefinitely.” She had no idea if this was true, but she had to try something.
“Can’t I, now?” he said, rubbing his chin.
“Surely I am entitled to a solicitor? What proof do you have?”
Wilson chuckled. “Proof, is it? Are you a police officer now? You still haven’t explained the pearl found in your room.”
The man was a clown. Unfortunately, he was a clown with a lot of power over her. “My bedroom was searched on Christmas Day. There was no sign of any pearl then.”
“Your brother says differently.”
“Then he is lying! Did you question the footmen who searched my room or indeed my sister-in-law who was present? They could verify what I have just told you. My brother is trying to put the blame on me,” she said.
“Come now, Mrs Lawrence, you know that is highly unlikely. Why would he do such an unspeakable thing to his own sister?”
“I do not know. You would have to ask him.”
He shook his head. “It would be in everyone’s interests if you were to confess at this stage.”
“I can see how it would be in your interest,” she said. “However, as I didn’t do it, I have no intention of confessing. You had much better spend your time finding the real culprit. One of the guests or servants could easily be involved.” Her exasperation was growing by the second. “How many times do I have to tell you I am innocent?”
Wilson gave her a pitying look. “I understand how someone in your position could be tempted into a temporary … moral lapse. Those pearls are worth a small fortune according to your brother. If you could tell me where you’ve hidden them, I’m sure I could persuade the Somervilles to reconsider and welcome you back. Mr Somerville is a gentleman, he’ll forgive you.”
Lucy sighed in frustration. “I have no wish to return to Somerville Hall, thank you.”
The sergeant shook his head. “This cannot end well for you.”
“And it will not end well for you either. If this goes to court, it will make you a laughing stock. With evidence which must have been put in my room by some malicious individual, and no witnesses, your case against me is ludicrous. My sister-in-law has coveted those pearls for some time. Maybe you should ask her about them.”
“What an ungrateful woman you are,” Wilson spluttered. “How can you say such things after all they have tried to do for you in your present circumstances? It’s a shame it is, you turning up again after all you put your family through and betraying their trust in such a fashion.”
They were interrupted by a knock on the door. The constable stuck his head in.
“Sergeant, you’re wanted at the desk.”
“Not now, Constable Carter. Can’t you see I’m in the middle of an important interrogation?”
Carter glanced at Lucy then back to the sergeant. “You’d best come, sir.” He lowered his voice. “Looks like trouble.”
Sergeant Wilson grunted as he stood. “I’ll be back,” he said to her as he made for the door.
“I can’t wait,” she snapped.
Minutes later, she was surprised to hear raised male voices outside. Then the door opened. But it wasn’t the sergeant. A tall, expensively attired gentleman entered the room. She recognised him immediately and gasped. “You!”
Standing just inside the door, leaning on his cane, Mr Stone regarded her with a steady look which held a great deal of amusement. “We meet again, Mrs Lawrence,” he said at last.
“What are you doing here?” she demanded.
Stone’s expression hardened as his gaze raked over her. There was little she could do but endure his scrutiny. After a few moments, he removed his silk top hat and placed it, along with his cane, on the table and took the sergeant’s seat. His eyes continued to bore into her, causing her stomach to tighten in anxiety. Here was a far more formidable man than the sergeant to deal with.
“Now that isn’t particularly friendly, Mrs Lawrence,” he remarked, “considering I’m about to secure your release.”
CHAPTER 10
Lucy stared at Stone in disbelief. “My release? Forgive me if I sound ungrateful, sir, but I don’t understand. Why do you want to help me?” she asked.
Mr Stone sat back in his chair, regarding her much like a butterfly pinned to a page. “You are the widow of Charles Lawrence.”
“Yes, but you already know this. What has it to do wi—?”
“It has everything to do with my presence here, Mrs Lawrence.”
She recalled his remarks at the mortuary. Clearly, he had believed Charlie was involved in something nefarious, but why would he turn up here in Harrogate? Now? What connection could there be?
“Would you care to explain?” she asked.
“We have unfinished business, Mrs Lawrence,” he replied with the ghost of a smile.
Lucy frowned. “Do we? I wasn’t aware of it.”
Mr Stone shook his head. “Or choose not to be.”
Lucy narrowed her eyes and glared at him. “Why were you at the mortuary that day? You never explained your presence or your interest in my husband. Did you know him in some capacity?”
“Unfortunately, yes, after a fashion,” Stone answered. “And I could have explained it all, if you had granted me admission to your home on the numerous occasions I called.”
The heat of embarrassment rose in her face. “I was not receiving anyone. I was … I am in mourning. If it were that urgent, why did you not contact my solicitor?”
Stone raised a brow and pursed his lips. “No matter. I believe we can help each other now and I can make this foolery go away.” He waved vaguely towards the station front desk. “In return for some information.”
Suddenly wary, Lucy gave him a cool look. “What kind of information, Mr Stone?”
“Please don’t be concerned, for we need not discuss it here, Mrs Lawrence. If you are agreeable, I will sort out this little misunderstanding with the sergeant and we can adjourn to the private parlour of the Red Fox Inn across the road.”
“Wait!” she said, as he stood up. “I have no intention of going anywhere with you. I do not know you.”
“You’d rather rot away in this godforsaken place?”
“Mr Stone, I am here because my so-called family, for some reason I cannot comprehend, want to put the blame on me for the theft of a family heirloom. It isn’t personal, but my faith in human nature has deserted me somewhat,” she said. “Why should I trust you?”
With an exasperated sigh, the man sat down again. “Mrs Lawrence, I understand you have had a difficult time.”
“Truly, I doubt you have any idea at all,” she replied.
A flicker of impatience crossed his face. “Let me assure you, you can trust me. In fact, I have your best interests at heart. The reason I am here is to find the Somerville pearls and have the culprit brought to justice.”
Not quite able to believe her ears, Lucy smiled tentatively. “You are here about the pearls?”
“Yes, your brother’s insurance company has engaged me in the matter. When your brother gave me a list of his Christmas guests this morning, I spotted your name. Upon enquiring of your whereabouts, I was informed you were here and why.”
“And you don’t believe I was responsible?”
This was incredible. Was her luck changing?
“I am fairly certain you were not,” he replied, “and I’m usually right in these matters.”
“It would appear you are to be congratulated on your superior understanding, but who are you really, Mr Stone?”
He smiled properly for the first time, and it wasn’t unpleasant to behold, making him less threatening and austere. “I am a specialist investigator. I scrutinise claims and probe suspected fraud where high˗value items are involved.”
“Such as the Somerville pearls?” Mr Stone bowed his head.
“Do you think this might be a case of fraud?” Lucy asked. While she knew for certain Richard had framed her, it was incredible this man shared that view. But it had never occurred to her that Richard was making a false claim: she had suspected it was expediency that had prompted his actions. Scandal was to be avoided at all costs.
“Far too early to say, Mrs Lawrence, as I only arrived yesterday evening.”
Deflated a little, she mulled this over. “But you have been to Somerville Hall? You have spoken to my brother Richard?”
“Yes, I have and it is why I am here,” he said. “I didn’t believe a single word he said.”
On entering the Red Fox Inn, Lucy was shown upstairs to a private room to freshen up. Having splashed her face and tidied her hair, she returned downstairs. Despite its overpowering aroma of beer and strong tobacco, the Red Fox private parlour was warm and welcoming. Stone was in the doorway ordering food from the landlord, so she settled down beside the fire and observed him closely. He had not struck her as the knight in shining armour type when they had met before. And could it really be a coincidence that he should pop up again? She was indebted to him but suspected he was only helping her to further his own ends. However, at this moment, she was without a friend in the world; whatever information he wanted from her she would try to provide if it meant her freedom. She couldn’t fathom what she could impart that he would want to know, but Lucy was certain it had to relate to Charlie’s business affairs. And that was a problem as she knew nothing about them.
Seeing Stone in action at the police station, she had been impressed. Her release had been so easily achieved. The sergeant had been obstructive at first, but eventually produced his prized piece of evidence. Stone took one look at the pearl and started to chuckle and shake his head, pulling out a loupe from his inside pocket. Briefly, he examined the pearl lying in the palm of his hand. The sergeant, red-faced, had blustered. Stone responded by scratching the surface of the pearl with his fingernail. Lucy had exclaimed as a flimsy flake had peeled away. The pearl was a fake. Stone had lost no time in informing the sergeant what he thought of his powers of detection. With what appeared to be a great deal of satisfaction, he had left Sergeant Wilson a quivering wreck in his wake through sheer force of will and a barrage of legalese.
A young servant girl entered the room and prepared a table near the window. Lucy sat gazing into the fire, her palms flat on the settle on either side of her. All of a sudden she was weary and the brave front she had maintained was starting to crumble. Richard had thrown her into this situation, God only knows why, and without the slightest concern for her well˗being. Her mother and sister-in-law had been all too ready to believe her a thief. How was she to retrieve the situation? She sighed heavily; she was everybody’s pawn, and she didn’t even know the rules of the game.
“That sounds defeatist,” Stone remarked as he came towards her.
“No, sir, I am contemplating possibilities,” she said, still staring into the flames.
“Might I enquire what troubles you?”
She leaned against the high back of the settle and began to tick off her fingers. “Let me see. I appear to be under suspicion of criminal activity. I have been shunned yet again by my family and my belongings are in a house in which I am no longer welcome. Added to this my beloved brother is executor of my husband’s estate and wants to sell my home. Mere trifles, I know, sir, but for me the idea of returning to Somerville Hall is abhorrent. However, the difficulty is, how else am I to retrieve my money and belongings? I require funds to purchase my fare to York and train fare to London. You find all of this amusing, Mr Stone?”
“No, not at all, but you are taking a very bleak view of the situation and obviously haven’t counted on my intervention.”
“Again? What have I done to merit such charity?”
“As I tried to explain earlier—” They were interrupted by the young servant entering the room carrying a tray laden with food. Stone gestured towards the table. “Please, Mrs Lawrence, won’t you join me?”
He pulled out a chair for her. “The soup smells wonderful. I am hungry, I must admit,” she said, sitting down. With a wry smile, she looked out the window in the direction of the station. “The food provided across the road was inedible. Even the mice turned their noses up at it.”
“You should never have been arrested. I hope the experience wasn’t too distressing?”
Lucy couldn’t help but smile. “I’m relieved not to have to spend another night at Her Majesty’s pleasure. Thank you.”
“Not at all,” he said. “I’m glad to have been of assistance.”
“But why have you helped me? Everyone else assumes I’m guilty.”
“I could not allow such an obvious miscarriage of justice. Unfortunately for the real culprit, I am under no illusion regarding the case against you. It is far too convenient, and I was immediately suspicious. The local constabulary did not strike me as being competent when I called upon them late yesterday evening. Once I learned your brother was the local magistrate, I suspected they were happy to do whatever he told them to do.”
“Yes! It was sickening to see them kowtow to him. They would not listen to anything I said. It was ridiculous. Richard waited until all the guests had left before calling them in. And another thing. Only my room was searched and by the servants, not the police.”
