The Witching Pool: A Justice Belstrang Mystery (Justice Belstrang Mysteries Book 2) by John Pilkington (love letters to the dead .TXT) 📗

fresh in my mind as it if it were but an hour ago: how she fought him, screaming and crying, and how he shouted and railed at her in turn. Alison and I were locked in our chambers – by Dowling, of course – but we listened. We listened until we heard doors bang, then all was quiet.’

She looked up at me, her face pinched with emotion. ‘I believed Susanna had fled from the house, how I do not know. All I know is that we never saw her again. And given where she was found, I fear they might even have taken her there.’

‘They might have taken her?’ I echoed.

‘My father and Humphreys… did I not say that he too was there, that night?’

I stared at her, while several things fell into place: Dan Tait speaking of two men who used his boat… like a fool, I had not pressed him to tell who the other was, besides Cobbett. Ned Berritt’s report of men by the Witching Pool, and the discovery of the girl’s body next morning. Then I thought of Standish, and his apparent eagerness to bring about a suicide verdict – as he had done again in the matter of Howell Rhys. I recalled the father’s face of anguish, and the promise I had made him.

I let out a sigh: at last, I believed I had my conspiracy. Had I been alone, I might have cried out in triumph.

‘You poor girl… what wickedness you have suffered.’

It was Childers, regarding Jane in dismay. I could not recall seeing him shed a tear, but likely this was as close as he came. For her part, the girl merely returned his gaze.

‘I believe I’ve told you all I can, Master Justice,’ she said, turning to me.

‘You have told enough,’ I said, after a moment. ‘Had I known…’ I frowned as it struck me. ‘Had I known such things were already occurring when I was a magistrate, I-’

‘Nobody knew,’ Jane said at once. ‘Save those who shared my father’s desires - or took payment for their silence.’

‘Indeed… there seem to have been a number of those,’ I said, feeling my anger rise anew. I thought back to what Boyd had told me of the first inquest, and what I had seen myself at the second – and on a sudden, I banged my hand on my chair.

‘Like Justice Standish,’ I muttered.

Childers gave a start. ‘Sir, that’s most-’

‘I know what it is,’ I snapped. ‘But one way or another, I will lay the whole business bare, or…’ I broke off; this was not something to air before Jane, who had told her story so bravely.

‘You humble me with your courage,’ I told her. ‘You have done right – and again, I assure you that you are safe here. You and your sister may remain under my roof, for as long as you wish. Meanwhile…’ I hesitated. ‘Meanwhile, I need you to trust me to take what actions are needed.’

I paused, weighing my words, but the time was past for avoiding the facts. Meeting Jane’s eye, I spelled it out.

‘The matter is, we may be speaking of murder, mistress: the double murder of your sister and her unborn child. And there are the deaths of Howell Rhys and Ned Berritt, who were almost certainly murdered too - though as yet, I know not by whom. Hence, I must ask: are you willing to swear an oath as to what you have told me? And if you do, and the law takes its course, do you realise what the consequences might be?’

A moment passed, while Jane lowered her gaze. Childers and I exchanged looks, but it seemed there was no more to be said. Terrible crimes had been revealed, as wicked as any I had heard. For the present, I thought, there was only the word of this girl to set against that of her own father, one of the most powerful men in the shire… but perhaps that could change. For I knew who to confront next – and woe betide Abel Humphreys, if he should try using that fixed smile to disarm me again.

My train of thought was broken by Jane’s quiet voice.

‘I will do whatever is needed to bring justice, sir,’ she said. ‘For my sister, and for Howell… even the old woodman.’ She sighed again. ‘Indeed, I fear I will not sleep soundly until it is done, and we may lay the past to rest.’

At last, for the first time since her arrival, she managed a faint smile. It was brief, but it was enough.

EIGHTEEN

For the remainder of that day I remained alone in my private chamber, dwelling on Jane’s testimony. Much was now clear, but it brought little comfort: the matter weighed upon me, and I could see no immediate source of aid. I dismissed Standish: he had questions to answer, but they would wait. I consoled myself somewhat in writing a letter to Boyd, giving him a full account of what had been revealed; Elkins would ride to Worcester and deliver it. Then came the difficult matter of informing Cobbett that his daughters were safe.

I confess I struggled over that, penning two versions of the letter before rejecting both. At last I decided to throw caution aside and tell him outright that the girls had sought my help, and were now lodged at Thirldon. I was uncertain what action he would take: given the kind of man he was, he might simply arrive in force and demand I hand them over. Or would he resort to the law, even accusing me of kidnapping? Hence, I took the decision to hold back the letter until the morrow. This day was the Sabbath, and I would wait before doing what I now burned to do: ride to Humphreys’ farm and force a confession from