Page 14 of Murder in Highbury

“Constable Sharpe and I must disagree, Mrs. Knightley.”

George leaned forward, deliberately catching her eye. “Perhaps the thief was rattled by the escalation of events. He obviously wanted the necklace, but I doubt he wished to kill Mrs. Elton in the process.”

Emma had yet more questions, but her husband clearly did not want her quizzing Dr. Hughes.

Still . . .

“I wonder what Mrs. Elton was doing in the church in the first place?” she asked, more to herself.

Dr. Hughes nodded. “Ah, I have the answer to that. Mr. Elton was under the impression that his wife had a meeting with one of the villagers.”

“I assume the vicar doesn’t know who this person is,” George said.

“He does not.”

Emma looked at her husband. “Mrs. Elton rarely met with villagers on parish business, and certainly not in the church. She hardly stepped foot inside the building but for Sundays.”

George hesitated for a moment. “It is odd, I’ll grant you.”

“Then you must also agree that the timing was also odd—or at least spectacularly unfortunate. Mrs. Elton just happened to have a meeting at the church at the same time as an unknown thief decided to rob the place?”

Dr. Hughes held up both hands. “Forgive me for stating that your observations are rather beside the point at this time. As I have already cautioned, we must refrain from jumping to conclusions. Constable Sharpe is on the case, and he will follow the appropriate lines of inquiry, including ascertaining who Mrs. Elton was meeting in the church and why.”

“If anyone is jumping to conclusions . . . ,” she began.

George hastily intervened. “We take your point, Dr. Hughes. Carry on.”

“I wish to add only that since the cause of death is clear, there will be no need for an autopsy. Mr. Elton was adamantly opposed to another violation of his wife’s dignity, and I see no reason to inflict further distress upon a grieving man.”

Emma’s stomach flip-flopped at the notion of Mrs. Elton sliced open like a specimen in an anatomical experiment. If she were ever to be murdered, she hoped George would be sensible enough to object to such a procedure.

“But,” the doctor added, “as you know, the bereaved also insisted the body be removed to the vicarage. That will, unfortunately, complicate matters for the jury.”

“One certainly sympathizes with Mr. Elton’s feelings,” Emma said. “And is keeping the body at the vicarage truly such a complication? The house is only a step from the church, after all.”

“When the body is left at the scene, it does give the jury a more comprehensive picture of the crime,” George replied. “However, in this case, I think the complications are minimal and will be easily dealt with. Mr. Elton made a strong case that it was inappropriate to leave a murdered corpse, much less his wife, in a sacred setting.”

“Most irregular,” Dr. Hughes muttered, obviously annoyed to see his authority overridden.

“Well,” Emma said, “leaving it there would certainly put a damper on Sunday services.”

When George breathed out a small sigh, she wrinkled her nose in apology. Really, though, the situation was so bizarre that one couldn’t help blurting out the occasional odd comment.

“With your permission, Mr. Knightley,” Dr. Hughes said in frigid tones, “I would like to take Mrs. Knightley’s statement.”

Emma mentally rolled her eyes. “You needn’t ask my husband’s permission, Dr. Hughes. I am perfectly happy to give you a statement.”

Now the doctor looked scandalized. “I am simply trying to be polite, madam.”

“Your courtesy is greatly appreciated, Dr. Hughes,” George said. “I’m sure my wife is grateful, as well.”

Emma glanced at her husband. When he narrowed his gaze, she was tempted to stick out her tongue just to tease him. Dr. Hughes would surely faint dead away at the sight.

“I am at your disposal, sir,” she politely said.

“Then if you would please outline the events of this afternoon, beginning from the moment you entered the church until your husband arrived.”

Emma gestured to the empty chair next to her. “Would you like to sit down, sir? My husband can provide paper and quill if you wish to take notes.”