'And the cash?' Gilbert asked.

  'Oh yeah, and the cash, too,' he added as an afterthought.

  Harland studied him, leaving a moment's silence to see if Donahue would fill it, but he didn't, and Gilbert knew not to proceed until he got the nod from his superior, which came next.

  'Allow me to clarify the agreement, Mr Marsh. You and Mrs Rowe had a deed to do, but you were getting paid cash on top of your deed. Is that correct?' Gilbert asked.

  'What does it matter now?' Donahue asked with a shrug.

  'Because when we first spoke with you and again now when we mentioned the cash, you did not seem to recall it or associate it with this deed you agreed to do,' Gilbert said.

  'Which leads us to think, Mr Marsh, that Mrs Rowe asked something more of you and brought the cash hoping to persuade you to do her bidding again,' Harland said, studying the prisoner before him.

  Donahue Marsh scoffed, and Gilbert looked slightly surprised. He had not thought of that but leaned forward for the answer.

  'No, the cash was for me to get rid of Ernest.'

  'But if you and Mrs Rowe were lovers and intended to be together, why would Mrs Rowe pay you when you would soon inherit her wealth by marriage?' Harland asked, and again, the detectives waited in silence before Harland said, 'Perhaps the truth, Mr Marsh, it will save you coming up with a story, and as you are in for two murders now; you will not be seeing the light of day anytime soon.'

  'I have a good lawyer now,' Donahue said with a satisfied smirk.

  'You can trust me on this, Mr Marsh; your lawyer might save you from the rope but not from gaol time. This will be your home for a long time,' Harland told the man a truth that Donahue Marsh did not want to contemplate.

  The prisoner looked toward the window and the blue sky beyond it. They waited, and eventually, he grimaced, looked back at the detectives, and put his hands flat on the table.

  'She tried to buy me off,' he said, his eyes narrowed, and Harland saw the vicious side of the labourer in his glare and how he now fisted his hands. 'Elizabeth said that she had fallen in love with Ernest's brother, Leslie, and that they didn't mean to, but it just happened. She still wanted me to get rid of Ernest because that was what we agreed on, and she did her deed and got the ring back for me. But Leslie wanted me to have the money to start over. In other words, he was saying get lost; she's mine. Well, if I wasn't having her, no one was.'

  'And that is why you drowned her,' Harland nodded, fully understanding the passion of the crime now. His mind processed the information, and Gilbert shuffled beside him, bursting with a thousand thoughts and questions. Harland nodded for him to proceed while he thought about Donahue Marsh's admittance.

  'Did Leslie Rowe know you were going to kill his brother?'

  'I'm guessing so, but I don't know when he found out. Elizabeth and I were going to be together when we first made plans, but now I wonder if this was always Leslie and Elizabeth's plan. They thought they could trap me into doing their dirty work if she pretended to want me, as she did when married to her first husband, Tyson.' He shrugged, 'But maybe Leslie didn't know until recently and suggested the money would shut me up, and I'd go away.'

  'Well, it worked,' Gilbert said. 'You didn't mention Leslie Rowe in your confession. Although you still have Richard Tyson's death on your hands, regardless.'

  'Ah,' Harland said with a better understanding of the situation. 'Leslie Rowe is paying for your lawyer and believes he can get you off. He has bought your silence.'

  'He said the lawyer's the best money can buy,' Donahue boasted, 'so I won't be saying anything against him under oath.'

  Then Harland landed another truth on the man Elizabeth Rowe had so well manipulated.

  'You killed the woman he loved, Mr Marsh. He is not going to get you off. He's hired a good lawyer to bury you.'

  Lilly Lewis had dropped in to thank the detectives for involving her in another astonishing case, but she could not believe her ears.

  'Another twist! Have you arrested Leslie Rowe?' she exclaimed.

  'He is waiting for us in a cell block as we speak,' Gilbert said.

  'He is summoning his lawyer,' Harland said. 'Sadly, I doubt we can charge him with anything. It is the word of Donahue Marsh—a murderer—over the respectable Mr Leslie Rowe, and his brother is still alive after all.'

  'Despicable,' she answered. 'I feel very sorry for Ernest. He appeared to love his wife only to find out Elizabeth tried to kill him, and now he learns she was in love with his brother, and they might have both plotted his death. Goodness gracious, what a melodrama!'

  'My thoughts exactly, Miss Lewis,' Harland said with a smile. 'Mrs Rowe was quite the manipulator, playing three men as if they were putty in her hands.'

  'Well, I am grateful for another exciting twist to the story, and thank you, as always, Detectives, for letting me run with it.' With her quotes for the next edition in hand and in a rush, as always, to meet a deadline, Lilly Lewis departed, and Harland rose.

  'Let's get this arrest over with, Gilbert; I am keen to close this case once and for all.' He put his hat on and added, 'Well done. It was worth your while to lose sleep over that loose end last night.'

  'Thank you, Sir,' Gilbert grinned, 'but I would never have thought for a moment that Leslie Rowe was involved. I suspect you will be asked to discard that letter of thanks from him for saving his brother Ernest's life, given we are about to charge him.'

  Harland chuckled at Gilbert's odd thought. 'Yes, I imagine we will no longer be held in high regard by him.' He gave a small sigh. 'Brotherly love. A strange thing.'

  'As neither of us has brothers, Sir, we'll never know.'

  Chapter 35

  One month to the day of the River Lady ferry tragedy, the newspaper issued an invitation to the citizens of Brisbane. Miss Lilly Lewis, who knew the sad event and its outcome better than anyone, was tasked with writing it by her editor.

  THE RIVER LADY ONE-MONTH ANNIVERSARY

  SPECIAL CEREMONY ON SITE THIS AFTERNOON

  One month ago this evening, not only in Brisbane but in the uttermost parts of the British-speaking world, there was a thrill of horror and sympathy as the news spread that the ferry steamer River Lady had been overturned into the flood waters of the Brisbane River and that many persons were thereby instantly consigned to a watery grave.

  One month to the day, the departed have been buried, and so many homes bear the impression of the shock and sadness. A special remembrance and blessing will occur at 4pm this afternoon at the site of the tragedy, concluding with a hymn at the time of the heart-rending sinking. All are welcome.

  Hundreds of people gathered on the banks of the Brisbane River that afternoon to pay their respects to the victims of the River Lady tragedy. The captain was not among them. By the waterline stood the bereaved families, a priest, and a choir of a dozen singers donned in blue robes: friends, the sympathetic public and the curious spread around the riverbank.

  Julius Astin, with his wife, Violet, and his siblings, Ambrose and Phoebe, arrived, representing The Economic Undertaker and In Mourning – Attire for the Family, which played a large role in seeing the deceased on their next journey and their relatives appropriately dressed in black. They stayed on the rise, close to where Mrs Elizabeth Rowe was photographed on the last day of her life. Here, they could hear the priest and individual readings from the bereaved families. Candles were lit, and the choir sang a hymn.

  'There's Miss Lewis and Mr Griffiths,' Julius said, nudging Phoebe, who subtly raised her hand to attract Lilly's attention.

  As the two reporters joined them, one of an elderly pair of ladies nearby could be heard saying to Lilly, 'We saw our names in the newspaper, Miss Lewis.' The other, who looked just like her, added, 'A wonderful report you did, too.'

  Lilly whispered, 'Thank you, Miss Jane, Miss Jean. I hope to see you again soon,' she said with a small wave as she moved closer to Phoebe and Violet. The party greeted each other.

  'Are you reporting tonight?' Ambrose asked Fergus.

  'Yes, I will return to the newspaper afterwards to write a few paragraphs about the memorial gathering,' Fergus said, shaking Julius and Ambrose's outstretched hands. 'But just me; Lilly is not working and is here to pay her respects.'

  'Hopefully, we're not working either if everyone could stay away from the water's edge,' Julius said drily, making the group hide their smiles.

  Julius then raised his hand slightly to acknowledge someone, and Phoebe turned to see Harland and Gilbert arriving. The senior detective locked eyes with Phoebe and smiled before sobering, given the occasion's solemnity. The detectives approached the Astin group and were greeted by the family and two reporters.

  'A very good turnout,' Gilbert said.

  'Indeed,' Harland agreed, standing next to Phoebe. 'Did we miss anything?'

  'A few readings and a song by the choir.'

  'Good,' Harland said, and Julius huffed as Phoebe playfully scolded Harland, telling him, 'The choir is very good.'

  'No doubt,' Harland said, and again, they looked at each other until Julius cleared his throat to get their attention and broke their concentration on each other. Julius rolled his eyes at the pair, and Phoebe poked him.

  'Do not be such a stick in the mud.'

  'It is his job, and he is very good at it,' Ambrose said, teasing his brother.

  The priest raised his voice, and they ceased their low conversation as he spoke of the apostle Paul's address to the Romans, saying, 'We have been raised out of the watery grave of baptism a new man, empowered to bear righteous fruit in service to God…'

  Gilbert seemed to be the only one in their party familiar with the apostle Paul's teaching. The priest, whom Julius had not recalled seeing before at any of their funerals, explained Paul's meaning to the gathering in a fire and brimstone voice: 'After being raised from the water in newness of life, the repentant sinner stands before God perfect, holy, and sinless.'

  'That is comforting,' Gilbert agreed, 'if not an odd choice given the victims were not baptised by the flood waters but had their lives extinguished.'

  'True,' Phoebe agreed. 'But perhaps the thought of them arriving for judgement cleansed by the waters as one is with baptism, will comfort the families,' and the young detective and lady mortician agreed, smiled and strengthened their friendship.

  Harland supported their comments, even if he was not overly comforted by the thought himself, and earned a raised eyebrow from Julius. Harland gave a small shrug.

  The choir burst into song, and then, at the exact time of day when the River Lady sank, the crowd joined in one more prayer before dispersing. The twins bid Lilly farewell, and several people acknowledged the Astin family on departing.

  'Well, a sad affair indeed,' Harland said, watching relatives of the deceased clinging onto each other as hugs and well wishes were exchanged.

  'There's Miss Prout,' Ambrose said, nodding towards an attractive young lady talking with several other women. She caught his eye simultaneously and, excusing herself, came over.

  'Mr Astin, Mr Astin, Miss Astin,' Billie said. 'I see you are here too to thank the dead for their patronage.'

  'Eloquently put, Miss Prout,' Julius chuckled, and Ambrose did the introductions.

  'Oh, I love your articles,' Billie said to Lilly. 'My father gets the paper daily, and I always point out to him that women can do anything they put their minds to, which he supports.'

  'I completely agree, Miss Prout,' Detective Gilbert Payne said.

  'That is because you are a true gentleman, Detective Payne,' Lilly told the man who loved their friend, Miss Emily Yalden. 'And thank you, Miss Prout, for reading our work,' she included Fergus beside her. 'Phoebe tells me your monuments are beautiful.'

  'Too kind,' Billie said with a gracious nod and smile to Phoebe.

  'They are exceptional,' Julius said, 'don't you agree, Ambrose?'

  Ambrose smirked at his brother's attempt to make him acknowledge Miss Prout in a manner more gracious than he was at her presentation. He nodded, answering, 'Yes, which is why we are now partnering in business.'

  'Please, Mr Astin, do not be so effusive about my work; I fear it will go to my head, and it might swell so my hat will not fit,' Billie said cheekily to Ambrose, creating much amusement at Ambrose's expense.

  'A busy time for Prout Monumental Masons too, I'm guessing, Miss Prout?' Harland asked Billie, saving Ambrose from a retort.

  'Indeed, Detective,' Billie agreed, 'but our workload will increase some time from now when the ground has settled and the headstone can be placed upon it. That is when our orders come in.'

  'Well, it has been lovely to see you all again despite the sad occasion,' Gilbert said, turning to Harland and announcing, 'If there is nothing more, Sir, I shall depart. Miss Yalden and I have a recital this evening.'

  'By all means,' Harland said.

  'How lovely,' Phoebe added, and the group bid Detective Payne goodbye.

  'I must hurry too,' Lilly said. 'Bennet is coming to dinner tonight. My parents like to see him occasionally to assure themselves he is still around and hasn't abandoned me,' she said with a laugh. 'Goodbye for now.'

  'And I have a story to file. Good day to you all,' Fergus added and hurried down to the water's edge to get the correct spelling of the priest's name and details of the choir before rushing off to write up his small story for the morning edition of The Courier.

  The Astin family, Detective Stone and Miss Prout remained.

  'Well, I am sure we shall see each other again now that we are in business, and it is very good to meet you, Mrs Astin and Detective,' Billie said to Violet and Harland. 'I shall be going.'

  'Miss Prout, do you like ice cream?' Phoebe asked before Billie could depart. 'It is just that we are all here, and while it is nearing dinner time, it has been some time since Julius treated us to ice cream. Could we not have dessert first this evening?'

  Julius laughed, drawing the admiration of those present – his handsomeness enhanced by the rare laugh he shared with friends.

  'We are finished for the day,' he agreed, 'and you have all worked so hard of late. I think that is a fine idea.'

  'And we are alive and should celebrate that after such a solemn occasion,' Violet agreed. 'Besides, Spilsbury's confectionery shop is on our way.'

  'I do love ice cream,' Billie agreed, 'but of course, I will pay for my own.'

  'Absolutely not, Miss Prout,' Julius insisted. 'You will detract from the pleasure of me shouting everyone, including you, Harland.'

  'Excellent, my favourite is vanilla,' he said. 'Oh, that's your favourite too, isn't it, Phoebe?' he teased, and she laughed.

  'Banana ice cream for me,' Violet said, looking up at Julius, 'it is nothing short of divine.'

  'Then you can have two serves,' he joked as the party started walking towards Spilsbury's confectionery shop. Julius saw the pleased look on Ambrose's face at the inclusion of Miss Prout.

  'I love chocolate ice cream. It is by far the best,' Billie declared.

  'That is my favourite too,' Ambrose said, looking at her suspiciously. 'I am sure I like it more than you.'

  'I doubt that,' Billie huffed. 'It has been my favourite since I was a young girl. My mother used to make it.'

  Julius looked at Violet and shook his head as she laughed at their antics. He glanced back to check on his sister on Harland Stone's arm and gave them a menacing look to behave, which made Phoebe laugh. With a wink, Violet distracted her husband, leaving Phoebe in Harland's care.

  As she walked beside the handsome detective, Phoebe felt as if her heart might burst with happiness. Here, on this solemn occasion, she could walk away with the people she loved and, with a glance to the river, she silently wished the dead eternal rest.

  Harland acknowledged people who passed them and recognised him from his duties, while Phoebe felt herself floating between conversations. She heard Julius and Violet talking about dinner this evening.

  'Tom is cooking for us tonight. He was quite excited to do so,' Violet said of her brother.

  'Good Lord,' Julius said, alarmed, 'should we eat something before we get home?'

  She heard Violet's laugh and turned her attention to her brother, Ambrose, walking with the lively and beautiful Miss Billie Prout.

  'As I am older than you, I have liked chocolate ice cream for longer, so you cannot claim to like it more,' Ambrose said competitively.

  'How do you know you are older? That is quite an assumption, Mr Astin.'

  'I am a gentleman and would not dare ask your age. I can only go by your appearance, and you are much younger than myself, without a doubt.'

  'Mr Astin, I have been charmed by some of the best. You will have to work harder if you think you can win an argument with me using your manners and good looks,' Billie teased.

  'I am sure you have, Miss Prout, but the good looks in my family belong to my brother, so the ladies tell me.'

  Phoebe heard the edge of vulnerability in his voice; he had loved Lilly, who admired Julius, and Ambrose always seemed to be in Julius's shadow.

  Billie looked at the eldest Astin brother, who walked ahead with his wife. 'He is beautiful, of that there is no doubt, but I have never sought the Byronic types – dark, quiet and considered. I prefer a man who is one of the lads – playful, irreverent and full of character,' she declared. 'And where is your lady today, Mr Astin, so I might discern your excellent tastes?'

  He laughed. 'Thank you for that compliment, but alas, I am a single man. But I do like a woman with a bit of sass.'

  A small tug on her hand saw Phoebe turning her attention to Harland, who gazed down at her.

  'This is promising,' he said in a low voice, nodding at the pair ahead.

  'It is indeed,' Phoebe smiled and flushed at having been caught listening to their conversation.

  But apparently, Harland had been as well, and he asked most formally, 'I do hope you like those Byronic types, Miss Astin. Tall, dark, and extremely handsome?'

  She grinned up at him. 'They are my favourite types, Detective,' she responded in kind. 'And pray tell, what sort of lady attracts your attention?'

 

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