Tuppence (The Tipton Hollow 3)

“Do you think the killer will strike again?”

Sir Reginald sighed. “He has killed Mr Lewis and Mr Richmond and has now tried to kill you too. Anybody who has been near Tuppence ends up in mortal danger. That is something you must remember in all of this, Isaac. While your staunch defence of her is wonderful, you must protect yourself. You will be no good to her dead.”

“What do you think of Angus Richmond’s death? Do you think that he has annoyed one of the locals?” Isaac had no idea why he was asking. His uncle was hardly likely to know.

“I think that Richmond must have had enemies. Any one of the villagers might have killed Lewis and Richmond. We can’t lose sight of the fact that our enemy may be killing the people Angus has met.”

“But why?”

Sir Reginald sighed and stared at the floor for several moments while he contemplated the complexities of the case. “Maybe the killer believes that Angus might have said something incriminating to Mr Lewis and Tuppence and wants to stop them gossiping about it.” discussed.”

“The sale of Hilltop Farm was the only thing Tuppence discussed with Richmond. That’s what Tuppence said in any case,” Isaac assured him.

“Are you sure about that?” Sir Reginald pressed.

“I am as sure as I can be,” Isaac replied. “Don’t you believe her?”

“I think we are going to have to ask Tuppence to go over that meeting in fine detail. Until then, she must stay at the house from now on, Isaac. In fact, I do believe it would be wise for you to remain at home as well, for the time being at least. Those incompetent fools in Great Tipton couldn’t investigate their way out of a box of frogs and are looking for an easy culprit who doesn’t have the power to object to wrongful arrest. If Bosville sees you going about your business, and knows you are not at home, he might take advantage of the situation and come and drag her out of here before you can get back.”

“He will be sued for it if he does,” Isaac growled.

“It won’t keep him away. If Bosville wants her behind bars, he won’t give up until he gets her there,” Sir Reginald warned.

“Where does that leave us?” Isaac whispered, staring over Sir Reginald’s head at the wall opposite. Mentally, he was miles away. He was so far away in fact that he didn’t hear movement on the stairs until Tuppence appeared at his elbow. By then it was too late. He knew she had heard every word that had been said – and was devastated by what she had heard.

“I need to leave,” Tuppence whispered.

“You are going nowhere,” Sir Reginald argued. “You have to stay inside from now on.”

“But I haven’t done anything wrong,” Tuppence wailed.

In that moment, the walls of the house seemed to close in on her and confine her more than the walls of the jail cell. Tuppence struggled to breathe. Tears flowed down her cheeks, but she couldn’t stop them. She swiped absently at them but more followed, and more, and more. With a hiccupping cry, Tuppence whirled around and raced back up the stairs to her bed chamber. She was in such a headlong rush to reach the safety of her bedroom that she almost careered into Gertrude, but Tuppence still didn’t stop. She couldn’t stop until she flopped face-first onto the bed and caved into the tears of misery that overwhelmed her.

“Leave her,” Gertrude ordered grimly when Isaac started to climb the stairs after her.

“Can I remind you that you do not live here? This is my house, mother, and I shall do what I like in it,” Isaac snapped.

“Take it from me, Isaac, she needs a few moments to collect herself,” Gertrude retorted.

“Why? Because you don’t like comfort or affection?” Isaac snapped. “Oh, get out of my way.”

He elbowed past her on the stairs and raced up to the landing, but when he

reached Tuppence’s bedroom, all was quiet inside. Isaac cautiously eased the door open and slumped with relief when he saw Tuppence face-down on the bed sound asleep. The memories of what they had shared the last time he had ventured into her room kept him in the doorway because he had to decide how he was going to keep her safe from both Bosville and the killer before he could talk to her about a future together.

Isaac quietly eased the door closed again, content in the knowledge that she was in her bedroom, and perfectly safe. It was with that knowledge that Isaac descended the stairs moments later. Thankfully, there was no sign of Sir Reginald or Gertrude in the hallway, and that left Isaac with the peace he needed to get his thoughts in order.

In his study, Isaac removed the drawer key from his pocket. Unlocking the drawer, Isaac slid it open and stared thoughtfully down at the gun. He realised then that he hadn’t asked Mark how Richmond had died or told him about the strange appearance of the gun. Vaulting out of his chair again, Isaac raced around his desk only to retrace his steps and linger long enough to relock the drawer. Once the gun was secured again, Isaac went to find out if Mark had left yet.

“Is this one of the bullet holes?” Mark asked, squinting at a small hole in the centre of a large stone in the wall beside the French doors in the morning room.

“Yes, that’s one of them. The other is embedded in the tree over there.” Isaac led Mark to the old oak tree.

Mark studied the bullet hole and turned around to study the treeline several feet away. “There are certainly plenty of trees to hide behind. Has any of your staff seen anything?”

“I haven’t had the chance to find out,” Isaac sighed, running a weary hand through his hair. He wondered if he should tell Mark about the gun but something, a deep gut instinct, warned against it. “Tell me something, how did Richmond die?”

Mark turned to look at him. He blinked once or twice as if slow to leave his thoughts behind and remember that Isaac had asked him a question.