Wolf shook his head. ‘You know more than you are saying, Annie.’
‘No, I don’t.’ She wrapped her arms around her skinny frame. ‘I told you, I don’t know anything. Now go away and leave me in peace.’
She sniffed, staring doggedly at the floor.
‘Very well, we’ll go.’ Wolf hesitated, his fingers tapping thoughtfully on the table. ‘My lawyer is presently arranging pensions for staff at Arrandale who were turned off when the house was closed up. I will instruct them to add you to the list.’
Her eyes flew to him, a mixture of hope and suspicion in her ravaged face.
‘Are you trying to bribe me?’
‘You will not be paid one penny until you have told me the truth about the night my wife died.’
‘Let him help you, Mrs Meesden,’ Grace urged her, coming up to the table.
‘What’s it to you?’
The question was flung at her with such malice that Grace flinched, but she kept her voice calm as she replied.
‘I want to see justice done and I would like to see you move on from this place.’
‘Justice? That won’t bring my mistress back. And you...’ her hate-filled eyes fixed on Wolf again ‘...you are as guilty as anyone. No.’ She hunched on her chair. ‘My mistress’s secrets will go with me to the grave.’
‘Even the name of her killer?’ said Wolf.
Grace saw a flicker of fear in the woman’s eyes.
‘And what of the necklace?’ he went on. ‘Who stole your mistress’s diamonds?’
With a cry that did not sound human the woman flew out of her seat.
‘No one stole the diamonds!’She stood behind the little table, her thin chest rising and falling with each angry breath. ‘Get out before I screams the house down. That wouldn’t look good for you and Miss Charitable Duncombe here, now would it?’
‘Think it over, Annie.’ Wolf moved to the door. ‘I know you could help me and you would. You can leave a message for me at the—’
‘I’ll see you hang first.’
‘Surely you do not mean that,’ exclaimed Grace and felt the full force of those malevolent eyes turned upon her.
‘Oh, yes, I do. Miss Florence never loved him. She shouldn’t have married him. She would’ve been happier with—’ Her voice broke and she dragged up the corner of her apron to wipe her eyes. ‘A curse on all men! Go away, the both of you. Get out.’
Grace reached into her reticule.
‘I hope you will reconsider Mr Arrandale’s offer,’ she said quietly. ‘But whatever you decide, this may help.’
She placed a silver coin on the table and the woman stared at it. Grace stepped away, wondering whether she had offended her even more.
Annie Meesden nodded to the parcel Grace was carrying. ‘What’s that?’
‘A gown for mending,’ said Grace. ‘It is only a torn hem, but I thought it might allay suspicions if I brought something.’
The woman put out her hand.
‘If you leave it I’ll see to it, in exchange for your half-crown.’ She added, when Grace gave her the parcel, ‘Come back the day after tomorrow and I’ll have it ready. Now get out.’
Without another word Grace and Wolf left the room.
* * *
