Kate Kingsbury - Wedding Rows

“I see.” Elizabeth leaned back in her chair. She distinctly remembered Fiona saying that Priscilla didn’t know the victim. But Fiona didn’t mention the fact that she knew him, either. Then again, she probably wouldn’t want to advertise the fact that she’d visited the man in his room. Especially in front of Malcolm, who seemed to have a proprietary interest in her.

“I didn’t tell Tess before the wedding, of course,” Sadie said, reaching for her teacup. “I didn’t want them having it out with each other and spoiling everything for Wally and Priscilla. So I waited until we were at the reception before I said anything.”

Elizabeth pursed her lips. “Was that before the cake was cut, or after?”

Sadie frowned. “Before. Soon after we first got there, actually. I saw Brian dancing with Tess, then Fiona came in and I knew there’d be trouble so I told Tess right then. She was really upset, so I told her we’d go down the pub as soon as Wally and Prissy left. She was only too happy to get out of there. Practically dragged me out, she did.”

“Did she say anything to you about her argument with Mr. Sutcliffe?”

Sadie’s eyebrows rose. “No, she didn’t. I didn’t know she’d said anything to him. What’d she do? Send him packing back to Cambridge?”

Violet turned, a lump of porridge dripping from the wooden spoon in her hand. Her expression mirrored the thought going through Elizabeth’s head, but she mercifully kept her silence.

“I’m afraid Mr. Sutcliffe met with an unfortunate accident yesterday,” Elizabeth said quietly. “He won’t be going anywhere.”

Sadie’s eyes widened. “He’s dead? ”

“Yes.” Elizabeth pushed her chair away from the table and stood. “I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t talk about this to anyone until the inspector has paid us a visit. Most likely he’ll want a word with you. Just tell him what you’ve told me.”

Sadie’s mouth dropped open. Elizabeth had reached the door before Sadie could speak again. “If the inspector’s coming, does that mean he was murdered?”

“With Rita Crumm’s wedding knife,” Violet said, with unnecessary relish.

Sadie clapped a hand over her mouth. “Does Tess know?” she mumbled behind her fingers.

“Yes.” Elizabeth paused to look over her shoulder. “She’s extremely upset, naturally. It might be better if you don’t mention this to her unless she wants to talk about it.”

Sadie nodded. “I’ll keep me mouth shut, m’m. Promise.”

“That’ll be a miracle,” Violet muttered, but Elizabeth had closed the door on Sadie’s retort. Much as she hated to admit it, things looked black for Tess Winterhalter. It was hard to believe that that fragile creature had taken a knife to her faithless lover, but who knows what a woman was capable of when confronted by such an ugly betrayal.

If Tess was guilty of murder, she hated to think what might happen to the young girl once the inspector got his talons into her. Far better that Elizabeth get a confession out of her first, and then present the result to the inspector herself. Perhaps put in a good word for Tess. She wasn’t looking forward to the task. It was so tragic to think that a beautiful young woman could have possibly ruined her entire life.

The Winterhalters had already been served breakfast in the dining room, and Rodney still sat at the table, a newspaper spread out in front of him. He rose as Elizabeth entered the room and waited for her to sit before reseating himself.

“What’s the latest news?” Elizabeth asked, as he started to close the newspaper.

“The Germans have retreated from Anzio.” He tapped the newspaper with his finger. “It’s only a matter of time before Rome will be liberated.”

So many times she’d heard positive news from the front, only to hear of a setback soon after. Nowadays, everyone was afraid to hope, even though it seemed the tide might be turning at last. “Do you think we are seeing an end approach?” she asked cautiously, not really expecting a positive answer.

Rodney shook his head. “The Germans are not going to give up that easily. I have a bad feeling that they’ve got something up their sleeve. If we don’t invade Europe soon and get this war over with, we could be in for a good deal of trouble.”

Elizabeth sighed. “It’s hard to believe the war has dragged on this long. Five years. Who would have thought it could last so long.”

Rodney nodded, his bleak expression chilling Elizabeth’s bones. “Let’s just hope it doesn’t last another five years.”

The thought was so depressing, she dismissed it from her mind. Besides, right now there was an immediate concern that had to be addressed. She hated to heap more worry on him when he looked so downcast, but the problem had to be faced, and as soon as possible. She took a deep breath. “Rodney, we really need to talk to Tess about what happened to Mr. Sutcliffe.”

He seemed to stir himself with an effort, and his face was drawn with anguish when he looked at her. “I know. That damn inspector will be here soon, and I dread the thought of what will happen to her.”

“You think she was responsible for his death.”

It was a statement rather than a question. He buried his face in his hands for a long moment, then slowly withdrew them. “I knew that wretched man spelled disaster from the first moment I set eyes on him. I tried to warn Tess, but she wouldn’t listen to reason. She has my temper… I don’t know…”

“Why don’t I talk to her,” Elizabeth said, her heart going out to the distraught man. “Where is she?”

“With her mother.” He looked up, his eyes dull with pain. “I don’t know what Daphne will do. Tess is all we have…”

“Let us not assume the worst until we know the truth.” Elizabeth rose, bringing Rodney to his feet. “I’ll send your wife down to you. I’d rather talk to Tess alone.”

He gave her a brief nod. “Very well. I’ll think of something to tell her.”

She left him alone with his agony, her heart aching.

A few minutes later, she found Tess alone. Daphne, it appeared, had felt the need for some fresh air and was taking a walk. Tess sat fully dressed on the edge of the bed, as if at a loss as to what to do next.

She looked terribly frail and helpless. Her dark eyes seemed to have sunk into her head, and the hollows in her cheeks were even more pronounced.

Elizabeth had to stifle the urge to put her arms around the child and hug her. “I thought we’d have a little chat,” she said, when the young girl invited her to sit down. “I know you lied last night, when you said you didn’t know who went into Brian’s room with him.”

A large tear squeezed out of Tess’s eye and rolled down her cheek. “I didn’t want to talk about it,” she whispered.

“Why don’t you tell me exactly what happened yesterday,” Elizabeth said, as gently as she could.

Tess shook her head. “No, I… can’t.”

“I think you know you’ll have to talk about it eventually. If not to me, then to the inspector. He’ll want to know everything that happened.”

Naked fear turned the girl’s face white. “What will happen to me?”

Elizabeth felt a spurt of anger for the events that had caused this young girl so much heartache. It wasn’t until that moment she realized just how much she’d been hoping she was wrong about Tess’s guilt. “That’s something we’ll have to worry about later,” she said, knowing she could offer little hope. “Just tell me what happened. Did he threaten you?”

“I pushed him,” Tess said dully. “He was standing in the doorway of the cellar with his back to the steps. I told him I knew about Fiona being in his room and that I didn’t want to see him again. He laughed at me and called me a silly little prude. I lost my temper and picked up the knife.”