Page 60 of Death at a Highland Wedding

“Then he shall not learn of it,” Fiona says. “He believes he has his man, and he gave no indication that he intended to return even to gather evidence. Violet and I will see to Archie. We will discover where he is being kept and protest against his incarceration, which will throw Mr. Ross off the trail.”

“Clever,” Violet murmurs. “With his suspect’s sister and fiancée wailing, he will believe we have all accepted Archie’s arrest as fait accompli.”

“And if he grows suspicious,” Fiona says, “I will wail and rail louder to distract him.”

McCreadie raises a hand. “As long as you do not distract him from continuing the investigation himself. It would be better for all if he did so and discovered the true culprit—or at least discovers that he is mistaken about Archie.”

“Unless he is not.”

Everyone follows that voice to the woman in the corner. Edith Frye. Beside her, James shifts in his seat and takes great interest in a mounted deer head.

“Well?” Edith says. “Are we all going to ignore the elephant in this room? The possibility—nay, theprobability—that the young constable is correct?”

“And Archie murdered his best friend for borrowing his coat?” Fiona says. “Does that make sense to anyone?”

McCreadie clears his throat. “The theory, as I understand it, is that Archie did not know it was Ezra and did not intend to kill the thief. As Archie’s friend, I do not think that is what happened. As a criminal officer investigating a murder, I must consider all possibilities.”

“Fine,” Edith says. “You can consider it. We wish you all the best with this little mystery game, but we came for a wedding and the groom is in jail. So we will be going.” She rises. “Come, James. I will have our girl pack while you tell the groom to ready the horse.”

“That will not be possible,” McCreadie says.

Edith turns to him, her eyes narrowing. “What will not be possible?”

“Leaving. Or, perhaps I should say, I do not recommend it.”

She snorts. “I don’t give a fig what you recommend.”

“But you should because if I prove Archie did not do it, then Constable Ross needs to reopen the investigation, and he will discover that two people left the house in a terrible hurry.”

Edith stares at him. “Are you accusing me of killing Ezra?”

McCreadie gives the most casually elegant of shrugs. “I accuse no one without proof. However, I certainly will investigate you. As for First Constable Ross, I doubt he will consider you a viable suspect. James, though?” He turns to the other man. “There has always been friction between you and Ezra.”

“Wh-what?” Frye says.

“Friction. Jealousy. You look up to Archie. Always have. You took up with Edith after—” McCreadie clears his throat. “Yet despite your admiration, you could never wedge Ezra from his side. You invested heavily in Archie’s whisky company, proving your support and loyalty, and still he chose Ezra to be his best man.”

Frye’s mouth works. “That’s not—I—”

“Also, you argued with him last night. We all heard it.”

“That wasbusiness.”

“I am not saying your actions are suspicious. Only that they may be seen as such to an outsider, such as Constable Ross. I would suggest you stay to show you have nothing to fear, but that is up to you.”

McCreadie turns to Violet. “On that note, I fear I must also ask you to keep your parents from joining us, if that is possible. I understand they may wish to support Archie, but more people in the house will only hamper the investigation. They will also have questions, understandably.”

Violet nods. “They will question the investigation, you mean.Yourinvestigation specifically, given…” She swallows and straightens. “There will be friction that we can ill afford. I will not tell them that Archie has been arrested. That would bring them running. But after Ezra’s death, Archie postponed sending a coach for them. I will now send a letter telling them of that and saying they must stay a while longer.”

“Thank you. Fiona? Will you add a letter to our parents, please?” A twist of a smile. “Probably best coming from you.”

“Of course.”

“We shall begin with that, after which I will interview each of you, to properly construct the timeline. I apologize if you have already given that information to First Constable Ross.”

Fiona snorts. “We gave nothing to him, as he requested nothing from us. Yes, Violet and I will pen our letters, and then come speak to you when we are done.”

TWENTY