by V L McBeath
Archie helped himself to a cake. “She’ll be fine, I put an extra-thick strapping on it yesterday.”
“Good afternoon, everyone.”
Eliza looked up to see Inspector Adams by her side. Archie was about to stand up but he waved him back down. “Please, don’t stop on my behalf, I’ve just come to say goodbye and thank you … again. Let’s hope you don’t see me down here again unless it’s for a social event.”
Mr Bell tucked a napkin into his shirt. “Well, you know where I live. If you’re ever passing and in need of a cup of tea, you must call in.”
“That’s very kind and I’m sure I will, but I’ll be working in the city when I get back. It’s a bit far to just call in.”
“How did you get on with Benjamin?” Eliza asked. “Did he confess to the murders in the end?”
“He did but not without a lot of persuasion. He’s so full of himself, he thought he’d get away with it. It was his pocket watch that did for him. As you suggested, it had been moved forward by fifteen minutes and with everything that was going on, he’d forgotten to turn it back.”
“Did Maria have anything to do with it?” Connie asked.
Inspector Adams shook his head. “No, we don’t believe she did. In the end it was down to Benjamin being tired of working for Edward when he believed he should have had a lucrative career in the City.”
“And Jane knew nothing of it?”
“Not that we can tell. No, Benjamin just found Mr Hartley’s will in the safe, worked out the date of the fifth wedding anniversary using the marriage certificate and bided his time. The fact his mother chose to have the garden party on the same day was entirely coincidental.”
“So you’ve sent him to London?”
“We have. He’s gone to Brixton prison to await his trial. It’s scheduled for next month and we expect him to hang.”
“What a shame,” Connie said. “A young boy with a bright future turning to something like that.”
Eliza shuddered. “It was the premeditated nature of the murders that unnerved me. He’d planned his alibis so well; he must have known what he was doing. He’s a nasty piece of work if you ask me.”
“So how’s Maria Hartley?” Archie asked. “I gave her a sleeping draught the other day, do you know if it’s working?”
Inspector Adams shook his head. “It’s difficult to say, but she looks to have aged ten years. Losing your husband and then expecting to lose your son within the space of a month can’t be easy. I’ve asked Sergeant Cooper to keep an eye on her until the trial to make sure she’s all right. He’ll come and see you if she needs anything.”
Connie bristled beside Eliza. “The same could be said for poor Georgina Hartley. I know she technically wasn’t married to Mr Hartley, but I got the impression she still cared for him … and she lost a son too.”
Inspector Adams sighed. “She did, and she’s blaming herself for that. As you suggested, it was James who had asked her to invite Constable Jenkins into the house for a cup of tea. If she’d reported James to us like we’d asked her to, he might still be alive today.”
“So, no happy endings then, although I suppose Robert Hartley was relieved to be a free man.” Eliza glanced up at the inspector, a frown on her face. “Have you any idea what will happen to the money? Has it been discussed?”
“No, none at all, although I heard the solicitor was at the house yesterday. As you can imagine, because it was Benjamin who killed Mr Hartley but Maria is the principal beneficiary, Robert has challenged the will.”
“Mr Hartley was a very wealthy man from what I can gather,” Eliza said. “Can’t they just share it?”
Inspector Adams gave a lopsided grin. “It’s a nice thought, but it’s likely to have to go through the courts to get to that stage. It might be enough money to keep a village like this going for years, but apparently if you’re from London, it’s not enough to share. Anyway, on that note, I really must say farewell. I want to be on the half past train. Good afternoon.”
“Nice man,” Mr Bell said as the inspector left them. “It does seem a shame to only see him when someone’s been murdered.”
“I’m sure he’ll be back from time to time, if nothing else to keep an eye on Sergeant Cooper and Constable Jenkins.”
“Talking of coming back, when are we expecting to see Henry again?” Archie asked.
“Tomorrow. He’s only gone to another weekend house party. All these people must synchronise their calendars, because he rarely seems to be double-booked, but never seems to have a spare weekend either.”
“Ah, to be young,” Mr Bell said. “I wish I’d had those chances when I was his age.”
“I’d say you’ve done all right for yourself,” Eliza said.
“Maybe I have, but it was hard work in my day, none of this partying. He doesn’t know he’s born.”
No, he doesn’t. Eliza smiled but moments later jumped in her chair. “Good grief, those church bells, when will I ever get used to them?”
Connie laughed. “It was only one ring.”
“That’s beside the point. It should give us some warning.”
Archie stood up and tucked his chair under the table before facing Mr Bell. “We need to be going. The next match is in five minutes; that was our warning.”
Mr Bell helped Eliza and Connie from their seats and followed Archie back to the bowling green.
“You’ve been very quiet.” Eliza gave Connie a sideways glance as they walked back to their seats. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m all right. I suppose Sergeant Cooper is only doing his job … although why the inspector couldn’t have asked Constable Jenkins to look after Maria Hartley, I don’t know.”
“I think you do. Would you trust Constable Jenkins with a responsibility like that? I’m sure I wouldn’t.”
Connie chuckled. “You’re right. I’ll be fine, I’m just disappointed that after coming to the realisation I could consider another relationship, he’s changed his mind about me. Still, I’ll get over it, I’m happy enough on my own.”
“I’m sure Sergeant Cooper hasn’t changed his mind. He’s not been any less courteous to you and he still has a twinkle in his eye when he sees you.”
“Well if he has, I’ve not noticed.”
Eliza found some seats on the front row and gave a broad smile to Archie as he stepped up to the mat and rolled the jack.
“Good afternoon, ladies. It looks like I’m just in time.” Sergeant Cooper smiled down at them, his round face flushed from the heat.
“Good afternoon, Sergeant.”
He stepped around Eliza’s feet and nodded at the chair beside Connie. “Do you mind if I join you, Mrs Appleton? With everything that’s happened this week, we never did have that glass of lemonade.”
*
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A Christmas Murder.
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Author’s Notes and Acknowldgements
One of the things I wanted to do when I started Eliza Thomson Investigates was have a familiar setting that would form the backdrop to the series. I had in mind a quaint English village, close to a larger town or city.
The outskirts of London seemed like a good place to start. Initially, this was because it’s internationally recognisable, but the main reason was because it’s a lot easier to research and find i
nformation about London and the surrounding villages than any other English city.
That was when I came up with the idea of Moreton-on-Thames. The location is based on a small town to the south west of London nestled along the banks of the River Thames.
Obviously, in a village the size of Moreton it would be unusual to have a murder every other month and so I opted to use other locations, too, although I expect every third or fourth book will return to Moreton.
The next book in the series is a Christmas novella set in London and after that I have plans for a family trip to Scotland. Also, although not specifically planned, Moreton-on-Thames happens to be close to Hampton Court Palace, one of the royal residences of King Henry VIII. I have a feeling this too may end up being a setting for a future book!
As always, I want to thank my family and friends for reading various drafts of the book and giving me feedback. I suspect they don’t realise how much it helps.
Finally, thank you for reading.
I hope to see you for the next book!
Also by VL McBeath
Eliza Thomson Investigates:
A Deadly Tonic (A Novella)
Murder in Moreton
Death of an Honourable Gent
A Christmas Murder (A Novella)
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The Ambition & Destiny Series
Based on a true story of one family’s trials, tribulations and triumphs as they seek their fortune in Victorian-era England.
Short Story Prequel: Condemned by Fate
(available as a FREE download when you get Part 1)
Part 1: Hooks & Eyes
Part 2: Less Than Equals
Part 3: When Time Runs Out
Part 4: Only One Winner
Part 5: Different World
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