Page 85 of Murder of a Dead Man

“No. If Soothcoor were found guilty he could argue he should remain the executor.”

“Yes, that is what the ladies think.”

“You are thinking we should notify Squire Eccleston that there is a witness?”

“I am.”

“Given his attitude this morning, do you think he’d do anything?”

“I think we give this over to the ladies to handle.”

“The ladies?”

“Yes. Mr. Ramsay, you will write to Mrs. Vance, Mr. Stackpoole, you will write to your mother, and I shall write to my wife.”

“To what purpose?”

“To suggest the interview at Camden House.”

“Why three letters?”

“So, between them, they can decide whose letter may be discovered.—Or if more than one should be.”

“Discovered, why?”

“To ensure the attendance of all parties.”

“Might this put the child in danger?”

“We will be there, too.”

“They won’t let us in.”

“No, they won’t. We can sneak in through Mr. Montgomery’s room.”

“Isn’t that kept locked?”

“Yes, but Liddy showed my wife where an extra key is hidden. We can take advantage of that knowledge.”

Mr. Stackpoole quickly stood up. “I’ll get paper, ink, and quills from Mr. Price!” he said.

“Request some Scotch whisky, too” Mr. Ramsay called after him. “We need somethin’ stronger to toast with,” he said.

Mr. Stackpoole laughed and agreed as he went out the door.

Cecilia was laughingand trying to hold back a cough when the majordomo approached them in the library after dinner. They were having a light, herbal tisane that was Camden House’s specialty for an evening beverage, before curfew called all the residents to go to their beds. He had letters for Julia, Mrs. Vance, and two for her. They looked at each other in questioning surprise, but eagerly opened their letters.

Mrs. Vance finished first. A deep frown pulled her brows together. She sat straighter in her chair as she carefully refolded her letter and held it in her lap.

After reading her first letter, Cecilia set it aside. James, in his letter to her, said all letters the ladies received conveyed the same information. Obviously, Mrs. Vance did not like the suggestion proposed. Cecilia picked up her second letter and slid her finger under the seal. This letter was shorter, and she was the only woman to receive a second letter. Cecilia read it carefully.

My dear delight,

By now I hope all have read their letters. Our messages are alike, each in our own voice. My request now is for either Lady Stackpoole or Mrs. Vance to accidently leave their letter behind to be found. As stated in our letters to you, we are requesting the magistrate come to Camden House tomorrow morning to examine Miss Lydia Wingate. How much he will believe her is unknown and might be inconsequential. Mr.Ratcliffe, Mr. Turnbull-Minchin, and Dr. Worcham will have no way of knowing how much she heard or saw the night Mr. Montgomery died. We know, we know what she knows is enough to counter their words that he died at the hands of Soothcoor.

We will not be leaving you to face the villains alone. We will come to Camden House and enter through Mr. Montgomery’s room. If you might convince them to have the examination done in either the parlor where we met with Dr. Worcham, or in the library, we can be waiting outside the door to lend support when it is required, as I’m sure it will be.

James