“Why do you think he came after you?”Alex asked, because there had to be a connection to Ernfield’s sudden determination to be rid of her.
“I saw him earlier in the day remove something from one of the decorative vases in the parlor.I didn’t see what it was, only that it was something small that he immediately tucked into his pocket.Perhaps two small things because I heard a light, tinkling sound, like glasses clinking together.”
Tulip stared at Alex.
“The vials,” she mouthed.
He nodded.
“I asked him what he was doing,” Mrs.Granger continued, “but he said nothing and merely strode out.The next time I saw him, he was coming at me with a cudgel.I think he is deranged and dangerous.”
“We know,” Tulip said, and Alex sent her a silent warning not to say more.
He wanted to hear the housekeeper’s own words and not have Tulip commiserating and telling the woman whattheyknew.
But he also wanted to learn more about Martha’s death which he expected was indeed by slow poisoning.“Tell me about Martha Carver.She had come to Thornwycke Hall and got sick shortly thereafter.”
“Yes,” she said with a nod, casting them both a look of confusion because she had to be wondering why they were asking about Carver’s daughter.“It was such a sad time for poor Mr.Carver.He was beside himself with grief.”
“I remember,” Tulip said.“I understand you had food sent to her daily.”
She nodded.“Oddly, it was Ernfield who suggested it.How could he be so kind one moment and then completely mad now?”
“Tell me about that arrangement…the food delivery.Take me through every step,” Alex said, bending on one knee beside Tulip as they listened to their housekeeper speak from her bed.
“Well, Mrs.Crabbe prepared the daily meals and stowed them in a basket.I would take the basket to Ernfield who then arranged for one of the stable boys to take it down to Martha’s house.She lived with her father in Burnham, as you know.Her father would return the basket the following morning and Mrs.Crabbe would load it up again.That’s all I can tell you.It was a simple arrangement, each of us doing our little part to try to restore her to health.”
“Thank you, Mrs.Granger.That’s very helpful.Was there one stable boy in particular assigned the chore?”
“Yes, young Edward Wilcox.Poor lad.He was a little slow-witted but so proud he’d been given this responsibility.”
“Edward?”Tulip gasped, and then turned to Alex with a groan.“How utterly, utterly stupid of me never to make the connection.The lad died shortly after Martha passed on.We all thought it might have been of the same wasting sickness and he might have caught it from Martha.But it turned out not to be contagious because no one else suffered similar symptoms afterward.”
He took hold of Tulip’s hand, hoping to soothe her.
They were dealing with a madman here, one crazed enough to kill an innocent boy.
Mrs.Granger now realized the purpose of his questions and gasped.“Oh, no!Do you think Ernfield killed poor Edward?And Martha?No…oh, no.And none of us ever had a suspicion.Is it possible he harmed your grandfather, too?”
“Not only my grandfather, but the next three dukes in the line of succession,” Alex said.“But start with my grandfather.Why mention him when he was already old and frail?”
She let out a breath.“Because Ernfield brought up warm milk and biscuits for your grandfather nightly.To me, it appeared there was a friendship between the two of them that I thought was quite endearing.The old duke and his ever-faithful servant fondly reminiscing about their younger days.This is why I was surprised when your grandfather started talking to me, confessing things to me, and not to Ernfield.”
“Yes, about that…what did he confess, exactly?”Alex asked.“And did his confession have anything to do with your aunt, Elspeth?”
Her eyes widened.“Yes, how did you know?Oh, your wife must have told you what we discussed.”
“I already suspected something before you said anything to my wife this morning.Mrs.Granger, I am fairly certain everything that has happened at Thornwycke is connected to Elspeth.What did my grandfather tell you?”
“He did not confess to her murder, if that is what you are thinking.”
He was, but did not allow it to show.“I am merely trying to collect information and assess the facts.Do go on.My grandfather did not confess to her murder, and…”
“Quite the opposite,” she insisted.“I think he loved her and was considering marrying her.”
Tulip turned to him, her eyes wide.“Marriage?”
Alex’s stomach was now in a roil.
