Page 120 of Murder in Highbury

Emma had to press a finger to her lips to hold back a laugh. Only her father could so dramatically miss the forest for the trees.

“Perhaps it might be best if we defer that discussion for now,” she said. “George will be sure to raise it at the appropriate time.”

“The poultry thief is, of course, very frightening,” Miss Bates ventured in a tentative voice. “But can it truly be that Mrs. Elton’s murderer has finally been caught?”

George nodded. “So it would seem.”

The spinster clasped her hands in a prayerful attitude, her cheeks flushing a bright pink. “Heavens, what a blessing! I do not mean to complain, Mr. Knightley, but I have been in such a terrible flutter, no matter how hard I try to be brave. And poor Mother and Jane! It has been such an ordeal for them both. If not for the support of all my dear friends, especially Mr. Woodhouse—” She broke off, overcome with emotion.

Emma’s father sat and took her hand. “You have undergone a great trial, Miss Bates. Who could blame you for possessing such feelings?”

“Your trials are now over, ma’am,” George said. “There is no further cause for alarm.”

The spinster drew in a shuddering breath. “I hardly know what to think. Dear me, should I thank Constable Sharpe? It is such a relief, you know. He has been so very annoyed with me.”

“I hardly think that’s necessary,” Emma said. “He was wrong to suspect you in the first place.”

Besides, if Miss Bates were to engage in one of her lengthy apologies, Constable Sharpe might never get around to telling them who the murderer was.

“You will certainlynotapologize,” said Emma’s father. “Mr. Sharpe acted in a very low manner and treated you most improperly.”

“But if he caught the killer, should we not thank him?” she asked. “It seems the Christian thing to do.”

“If you wish to thank anyone, thank Mr. Elton,” said George. “He’s the one who identified the killer and saw to his arrest.”

That led to another stunned silence. Emma practically had to push up her sagging jaw with her thumb. “What? How?”

“Mr. Elton!” cried Miss Bates. “How very courageous of him to capture his wife’s killer. I can hardly bear to think of the perils he must have faced in doing so. He has always been such a kind and mild person, but to hear that he faced down a ruthless killer . . . one hardly knows what to think.”

“Most irregular,” huffed Father. “I’m not sure I approve of such doings.”

God, give me strength.

“George,” Emma said from between gritted teeth. “Who is this blasted killer?”

Her father regarded her with dismay. “My dear, such language.”

Emma ignored him to scowl at her husband. She had the clear sense that he found this absurd conversation amusing.

“George,” she said in a warning tone.

He gave her a slight smile. “The constable has arrested Mr. Suckling. Apparently, he has been found in possession of Mrs. Elton’s necklace.”

As Miss Bates let out a squeak, Emma found herself once more gaping at her husband. It took a moment to gather her startled wits.

“How did this revelation come to light?” she asked.

“Apparently, one of Mr. Elton’s servants found the necklace in Suckling’s luggage.”

Emma plopped down in her chair, turning that bit of news over in her head. “But if he killed Mrs. Elton and took her necklace, why would he leave it where someone could find it?”

Much less cart it about with him, waiting for it to be discovered. It seemed entirely deranged. Then again, most killers probablywerederanged.

Miss Bates flapped her hands like an agitated goose. “Mr. Knightley, how can this be? The Eltons and the Sucklings were so very close. Mrs. Elton was forever speaking of their intimate relationship and of the beauties of Maple Grove. Why, it was a second home to her. And Mr. Suckling is such a genteel man and so very distinguished.”

Father harrumphed. “I never liked the man. He was quite rough in speaking to Mrs. Goddard at the inquest, and he insisted the windows be kept wide open. So reckless a man could be guilty of anything.”

Emma had now overcome her shock and rose from her chair. “We’d best go speak to Constable Sharpe. I hope he will be able to shed some light on the matter.”