Page 81 of Murder of a Dead Man

“Mr. Turnbull-Minchin wants to search the room.”

Julia laughed. “Someone already has! Is there something specific you are looking for, Mr. Turnbull-Minchin. Perhaps we have seen it.”

The superintendent frowned, his lower lip thrust forward. “I’m missing a ledger book.”

“As you can see,” Julia said, waving a hand at the bookshelf, “Mr. Montgomery had many books. I have not seen a ledger book in any of the books I have picked up off the floor and put back. It’s possible we will find more books under all that tossed bedding. Perhaps you have already reviewed that area?” she asked archly.

“You and Miss Dorn were in this room at least once before we came this morning,” Mrs. Vance said with her bird-bright manner. “Have you asked Miss Dorn?”

“Ladies,” said Dr. Worcham repressively.

Beside him, Mr. Turnbull-Minchin looked like he was ready to explode.

“Are you quite all right?” Mrs. Vance asked. She kept Liddy pinned to her side.

“Where is Lady Branstoke?” he asked suddenly, looking about.

“Her husband came to visit. She is with him,” Julia said.

“Harrumph. If you find a ledger book, bring it to my office,” he ground out.

Mr. Turnbull-Minchin stomped out of the room. Dr. Worcham turned to follow him but stopped at the door. “This room is in a worse condition than I thought it was,” he observed.

“Someone was not happy with Mr. Montgomery,” said Julia.

“If you find any estate books, bring them to me first,” he instructed.

Julia smiled. “Of course.”

He closed the door behind himself as he left. Mrs. Vance went to the door to ensure she heard him walking away then waved a hand at Julia to open the hidden door.

“Could you hear?” Julia asked as Cecilia and James came back into the room.

“Yes,” James said. “That space is lined with narrow shelves and old ledger books. I noticed a sliver of light at the other end. Is that an entry into the estate office?”

Liddy nodded.

“Does Mr. Turnbull-Minchin know about that door?”

“Mr. Montgomery said no,” Liddy said.

“Does Dr. Worcham know?” he asked.

“Yes! He showed Mr. Montgomery.”

“When did he do that, do you know?”

She thought. “About Easter?” she said. “He asked Mr. Montgomery to check the books. Mr. Montgomery was very smart with the maths. He was teaching me.”

“Yes, that is what Lady Branstoke told me. That was kind of him.”

She nodded enthusiastically then turned sad. “I miss him.”

“I’m sure you do. Were you with him the night he died?”

“Yes, until he sent me away.”

“Can you tell us about that night? Everything about that night?”