Symptoms of Death (Dr. Alexandra Gladstone Book 1) by Paula Paul Read Free Book Online

particularly slow child.
    She raised an eyebrow. “Then you are convinced that Elsie is guilty, since all the other suspects are confined to Montmarsh and she is the only one who is loose?”
    Forsythe spoke cautiously after a brief silence. “Not necessarily, but you must admit the evidence raises suspicions.”
    She turned toward him suddenly, defensively. “What evidence?”
    “Why the fact that she threatened Eddie, and the fact that she then fled.”
    Alexandra shook her head. “I believe that is called circumstantial evidence. You must take into account that he was not killed with a knife. He died of strangulation.”
    “That doesn ’t clear Elsie, does it?” Forsythe said. “She could have strangled him, couldn’t she? And then used the knife?”
    Alexandra glanced at him again. “But why would she do that?”
    Forsythe shrugged. “Who knows why anyone kills, really, but obviously she thought Eddie was somehow responsible for her lover’s death.”
    Alexandra frowned. “Oh, I know neither you nor the others want to think one of you could have done this,” she said. “But it actually could have been any one of you. Or any one of the servants.”
    “And with what motive?” he asked.
    Alexandra pulled her shawl a little tighter around her. “I don’t know. You knew Lord Dunsford better than I. Perhaps you can think of a possible motive. Perhaps you even had one yourself.”
    She expected him to claim insult. Instead, he seemed to consider the premise for a moment. “Well, Eddie did like the ladies, that was quite well known, and he wasn ’t always discreet about his liaisons, but I know of no reason for a jealous husband among the guests.”
    “Are you sure?
    “Well, I’m reasonably sure, although I’ll admit, I didn’t know everything about Eddie’s escapades, and I certainly hadn’t seen as much of him recently as I once did. And as for me, I’m afraid I have no motive.” He gave her a broad smile.
    “So it could have been a jealous husband?”
    “Well, anything’s possible, but…” Forsythe shrugged, as if he was dismissing the idea.
    “How about gambling debts?”
    “None that I know of. Eddie was quite wealthy, you know. Not likely to be in debt to anyone.”
    “Suppose someone was deeply in debt to him.”
    “I suppose that’s possible,” he said. “But it wouldn’t be likely to be anyone at the house, would it? One isn’t likely to invite someone who owes him money, is he? And even if Eddie did such a thing, anyone deeply in debt would be too embarrassed to come.”
    “Unless he thought to get revenge.”
    “My word, Dr. Gladstone. I don’t know whether to think you diabolical or merely analytical.”
    By now the carriage had reached her house. “I shall leave that for you to decide, Mr. Forsythe.”
    He got down from the carriage and walked around to offer his hand to help her alight while the driver untied Lucy’s rope. “If you are so certain that Elsie O’Riley isn’t guilty, I should like to help you investigate that possibility.”
    “I try to leave police business to the police,” she said as he walked her to her front door.
    His eyes held hers for a moment, then he tipped his hat and bowed slightly. “Very well. Good day, Dr. Gladstone.”
    She watched him walk away and then, in spite of herself, called out his name.
    “Mr. Forsythe…”
    He turned to look at her.
    “How, exactly would you go about doing that? Investigating possibilities?”
    He smiled in a manner that seemed to be triumphant and took a step toward her. “I could question the other guests. Discreetly, of course.”
    “To what end?”
    “Why looking for motives, of course.”
    “But you just said you know of no motives.”
    “I don ’t, but who is to say we ever really know the heart of even our closest friend? I shall report back to you with what I learn.” He tipped his hat and stepped into the carriage again, and, in spite of herself, Alexandra found herself wishing she