Page 51 of Death at a Highland Wedding
“I found this in the coach,” I say.
Gray takes it and frowns down as he works on deciphering the hand.
I put my finger on the words and read, “‘He deserved it for what he did to Nora.’” I look up at Gray. “That’s what it says, right?”
“It certainly does appear to be.He deserved it…”Gray’s head snaps up, and he meets my gaze.
“I’m guessing they mean the murder,” I say. “Someone saw us carrying the body into the doctor’s and figured out why. We already know the rumor was circulating.”
“The rumor being thatArchiewas dead,” Gray murmurs. “Murdered. But the body we carried out was obviously not Archie’s.” He stops and then shakes his head. “No, the body was wrapped in a sheet.”
I nod. “That boy who ran into the Rendalls’ said His Lordship had been murdered. Archie isn’t a lord, but the Hall siblings called him that.”
“But how did this get in the coach?” Gray’s gaze rises to Simon, who has been quietly listening. “Did you step away from it?”
Color rises in Simon’s cheeks. “Er, yes, sir. An older fellow needed help and, er, I did not think anything of leaving the coach. I checked to be sure you had not left anything valuable inside. If you would have wished me to stay with it, I apologize—”
“You were not required to stay with it. I am only trying to understand how this was left.”
Simon still shifts in obvious discomfort at Gray’s abrupt tone and lack ofbody-language cues. I’ve known Gray long enough to recognize this tone as efficiency rather than curtness or annoyance, but Simon isn’t so sure.
“May I speak to Simon about this?” I say to Gray. I flash a smile. “Practice my interview skills?”
Gray doesn’t miss a beat. “That is an excellent idea. I will tell the Rendalls that we are briefly delayed in our departure.”
“Can you also ask whether Dr. Rendall saw anyone near the coach? Maybe get the name of the boy who came running to tell them of the murder?”
“Certainly.”
As Gray heads into the Rendall house, I lead Simon out toward the road. There’s a huge old oak tree nearby, the canopy providing welcome shade and a bit of shadowed privacy. I wave Simon there.
“I was set up, wasn’t I?” Simon says.
“Hmm?”
“Being led away to help that fellow. Someone wanted me to leave the coach unattended. In the city, I would never have fallen for it.”
“I hadn’t thought of that. Maybe? It’s just as likely that whoever left the note was watching for a chance. Can you tell me what happened?”
Simon leans against the thick trunk as he relaxes. “I moved the coach, getting Folly out of the sun. Then I heard a shout. There was a cart full of logs that seemed to have struck a rut in the road and the logs tumbled out. Seeing me, the cart driver waved for help, and I went to provide it.”
“Where was that?”
He points. “In front of the third house there. You can see the rut in the road.”
“Would you know the man if you saw him again?”
“I would. He was elderly, which is why I was quick to help. He said he lived a few cottages down…” Simon walks onto the street and shades his eyes. “There. The cart is in front of the house, and he is unloading it.”
I walk out onto the road for a better look. While the man is a few hundred feet away, he’s clearly gray-haired and stout, and very obviously unloading a cart of logs.
Simon continues, “He’d received permission to chop up a dead tree in the kirkyard and he was taking the pieces home to dry for next year.” He pauses, still watching the man. “While I ought to have been more careful, there was nothing suspicious in it.”
“I agree,” I say. “I’ll note the house, but I’d be shocked if it were a setup. Someone took advantage of you stepping away from the coach to leave a note.”
Simon’s voice drops, though there’s no one else around. “Is Dr. Gray annoyed with me? If he is, I would rather he said as much.”
“He’s not,” I say. “That’s just his face.”
