“Yes. According to Mr. Longham.”
Mr. Shepard scoffed. “And you saw fit to believe him?”
“Mr. Longham said he’d been searching for me for a few years, and we only just connected. He had every manner of paperwork in his possession. A custody agreement signed by my mother, school payment records, and the like. And I had a letter written to me by my father.”
Mr. Shepard turned toward Mr. Warrington. “Can you confirm any of this?”
Mr. Warrington nodded. “I can confirm that she did have a letter signed by Robert Clark. I saw it and I read it. I read a reference letter signed by the headmistress at the school where Miss Hale previously taught. Mr. Longham visited here, and he was clearly familiar with the property and the house. I have no reason not to believe anything that was said.”
Mr. Shepard returned his attention to her. “And I heard an account that you both spoke with Peter Clark yesterday.”
Cassandra’s already tense muscles tightened. “Yes. Mr. Longham and I went to his office to discuss the matter of my father’s will.”
“And?”
She was not sure what to divulge. “Peter Clark was quite angry.”
“What was he angry about? I presume he’s seen the will prior to this.”
“Yes, but he said he did not believe me to be Cassandra Hale, despite Mr. Longham’s insistence and proof.”
“I see. And this letter from Robert Clark? Do you have it?”
“It was destroyed.”
“Destroyed?” Mr. Shepard jerked.
“Mr. Clark threw it in the fire.”
Mr. Shepard adjusted a satchel slung over his shoulder.
At first Cassandra thought very little of it, and then, as she looked at it closer, she noticed the initials embossed on the front. Surprise jolted through her. “Is that Mr. Longham’s satchel?”
Mr. Warrington nodded. “It was found by the body.”
Casandra’s heart gave a little leap in spite of herself. “All of my documentation should be in there. That is where he kept it.”
Mr. Shepard shook his head. “I’m sorry, miss. It was empty when we found it.”
The significance of his words showered over her, and she felt as if she’d been struck a blow. “B-but that’s not possible. I saw all of my papers in it just yesterday.”
Mr. Shepard extended it to her. “See for yourself.”
Hungrily she grabbed for it and flipped the flap open.
Mr. Shepard was right. It was empty.
Her ears rung noisily with frustration, distracting her as she tried to complete the puzzle in her mind. “But I don’t understand. Someone must have taken it.”
It didn’t make sense. Not any of it.
Their conversation was interrupted when Mrs. Towler enteredthe room. “Mr. Shepard. Thank goodness you’re here to make sense of this terrible tragedy. What have you learned?”
He bowed toward the older woman. “I have no specific answers yet, Mrs. Towler.”
“This is exasperating,” she cried. “How could this happen on our property?”
“That is what I intend to find out. Don’t worry. Bad deeds never go unpunished. Not on my watch.”
