Betrayal of Innocence (A New Adventure Begins - Star Elite 1)

“Who saw Jemima leave here the other evening?” he asked.

“Well, I was here, of course. Then there was Elizabeth, she is our cook. She had dinner with Jemima before Jemima left for home. She was probably one of the last people to see her, but Elizabeth wouldn’t hurt her. It just isn’t in her nature.”

Justin shook his head when the memory of Vanessa saying a similar thing about Reuben sprang to mind.

“Who else was here?” he prompted when Magda fell silent.

“There was Sophia. Elizabeth and Sophia are my permanent ladies. They are paid for what they do.”

“Do they live here?”

“Yes.”

“How long have they worked here?” Justin asked.

“Elizabeth has been here for over ten years now, coming on for eleven. Sophia for about eight, I think.”

“Are they here now?”

“Yes, you can speak with them if you like.”

Justin waved her back down when she rose out of her chair. “Who else volunteers?”

“Well, I have a group of about six ladies from the village who help. Or used to. They all came in on different days of the week, and read to the children, played games, supervised their lessons, that kind of thing. They used to have lunch with the children and leave in the afternoon. They didn’t get paid for what they did. The ladies have all been helping out here for many years now, I am sure none of them would hurt either the children, or Vanessa.”

“Give me there names, please,” Justin asked.

“There was Vanessa, Geraldine, Mary Macguire, Eleanor Tompkins, Catherine Harrigan, and Bridgette Brigman.”

Justin sighed. His gaze slid to the window behind Magda.

“What about the gardens? Who helps with that? I understand Reuben used to help?”

“Yes, he did,” Magda sighed. “He doesn’t any more, though. He works for the vicar, digging graves. He is a little – unusual.”

“Vanessa has already told me,” Justin replied, softening his tone a little.

“He does still help a little, but not much. The garden is now tended to by Elizabeth’s husband. He stopped working recently because his arthritis became too bad, and so potters around here, but he isn’t the kind to harm anybody,” Magda replied firmly.

As if to prove her point, an elderly gent sauntered past the window, his gait slow and uneven. It reminded him so much of Reuben that for a moment, Justin wondered if they were related.

“Tell me about Reuben,” he said suddenly.

He had no idea why he wanted to waste time thinking about the odd gentleman who avoided people like the plague. Like Vanessa said, it was highly unlikely he would harm anybody. However, he was observant, and that would make him a very good source of information, if Justin could get him to talk to him.

“I know about his past,” Justin added before Magda could speak. He quickly relayed everything Vanessa had told him. “Why doesn’t he speak to people?”

Magda looked sad for a moment. “He withdrew into himself when Carlotta left and hasn’t recovered.”

“He doesn’t like people, though, even men,” Justin observed.

“No, he seems to be suspicious of everyone, and doesn’t engage in conversation much, I agree,” Magda replied.

“What would that have to do with Carlotta’s leaving?” Justin asked.

Magda shook her head. “I don’t know.”

“Where can I find Reuben?” Justin asked as he stood. “Where does he live?”