Mrs. Jeffries in the Nick of Time by Emily Brightwell Read Free Book Online Page A

of the killer. Frankly, finding the murder weapon would have been very helpful. But it’s early days yet.”
    “Perhaps the killer managed to get the gun out of the house before the police arrived,” she suggested as she began to clear the table. “It did take you some time to get there.”
    “That’s possible, but the first officers were on the scene within minutes, and despite Barnes’ insistence that the place be searched again, the constable in charge assured me they followed all the established procedures and secured the premises.”
    “Are you sure, sir?” She smiled wryly. “Sometimes the first constables on the scene don’t realize how important it is to make sure that nothing gets taken away from the premises or that none of the witnesses leave. As you’ve said many times yourself, sir, often inexperienced police officers are very intimidated by the upper class.”
    “That’s true. Tomorrow I’ll have another word with them just to be doubly sure.” He covered his mouth to hide another huge yawn. “Even though I do like to think ‘my methods’ have influenced how officers behave at a murder scene, the rule about leaving the body alone and not letting witnesses leave the premises, has actually been around for fifteen years. Gracious, Mrs. Jeffries, you must be as exhausted as I am. I suggest you leave that clearing up until tomorrow and we both retire for the night.”
    Upstairs on the third floor, Betsy stood at the window of the bedroom that Mrs. Jeffries had recently converted into a cozy sitting room for the staff. The bed had been replaced by two old but comfortable armchairs they’d found in the attic and a blue velvet loveseat. In the darkened room, she stared out into the night.
    She felt a small rush of air on her back as the door opened behind her. She knew who it was. “I’m all right, Smythe. I just came in to have a bit of a think before I went to bed.”
    “You’re not all right, lass.” He came up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders. “You’re upset about somethin’. Tell me what’s wrong? You know I’ll keep badgerin’ you till I get it out of you, so why don’t you save us both a bit of time and talk to me.”
    She laughed softly and leaned back against him. “It’s really nothing,” she whispered. “But I was just wishing that I could find my sister. I’d do anything to have her at my wedding. She’s the only family I’ve got.”
    “You were just a child when you saw her last, weren’t you?” He chose his words carefully, knowing full well the awful circumstances that had led to the breakup of Betsy’s small family.
    “I was in my early teens. Norah was the oldest, but she was only eighteen when she married Leo and moved to Leeds. We kept in touch by letter until Mum and I got turned out of our room. I’ve not seen her since.” Betsy sighed. “Once I got settled here, I sent off letters to the last address I had for her, but she never answered. I don’t think she lives there anymore. I remember Mum getting a letter just before the baby died and we was turned out. Norah said she and Leo were thinking of immigrating either to Australia or Canada. But that’s all I can remember. Oh, I know it’s an impossible dream, but still, she’s my sister and I’d love for her to know I was all right and marrying a good man.”
    He hugged her close. He’d go to any lengths to get her what she wanted. She asked so little from him and he loved her so much. She’d had it hard in life and he was determined she’d never want for anything again. But he’d not say anything yet. There was a chance that even with all his money, he’d not be able to find Norah and Leo Hanrahan in time for the wedding. “I’m glad you think I’m a good man.”
    “Of course I do, silly.” She laughed. “Otherwise we’d not be getting married come October.”
     
    While the inspector and his household slept, less than two miles away in an elegant Georgian townhouse in