“What time would you say you discovered the body?”
“It’s difficult to say. We started our walk around nine o’clock this morning. Perhaps quarter past nine?”
“Would you describe what you saw and how you reacted?”
“There was something on the path ahead. When we got closer, I realized it was a man. I moved to his side, and I’m sorryto say that I turned him over. I wanted to see if he was alive.”
“Was he?” McGuire asked.
“No. He didn’t have a pulse and his eyes were cloudy. I draped my coat over him and sent the other women back to the house to call the police. I knew Dr. Turpin was with the hunt, so I went to fetch him.” As she spoke, her nerves evened out.
“I see,” the inspector said. “And you also informed Detective Constantine at that point?”
Mira frowned. “Detective Constantine?” Had Byron said something?
Rutledge gave a small laugh. “Oh, I meant to say ‘Mr. Sherard.’” He tapped the side of his nose. “He informed us of the true nature of your visit to Bath, so there’s no need to keep up the act with us. We’ve been investigating the burglaries ourselves, but I suppose a detective that works with Scotland Yard is a mite bit more impressive.” There was a sarcastic tinge to his voice.
“Not just any detective,” Constable McGuire said, entirely in earnest. “Byron Constantine.”
Rutledge blustered. “Yes, well, erm. Back to the question at hand.”
She nodded. “Yes, I informed him at the same time that I found Dr. Turpin.”
McGuire licked the end of his pen and Rutledge continued the questions. “Now, did you know Mr. Treadway?”
“I only met him yesterday. We spoke briefly before he excused himself for some fresh air.”
“Did anyone else witness him leave?”
“Miss Harris was with us.”
Inspector Rutledge nodded. “Is there anything else you think relevant?”
Mira considered the events of the morning and previous evening and shook her head. “No, I can’t think of anything.”
“That’ll be all for now, then.” Rutledge gestured towards McGuire who flipped his notebook closed.
The three of them returned to the sitting room where the occupants waited with rapt attention. Mira sat next to Byron on the sofa.
“Any of you may be asked to give testimony at the inquest. The coroner should send notice of the date by tomorrow afternoon. And don’t none of you worry. This case is as open and shut as I’ve ever seen. Pure accident. Though...” he pulled something from his pocket and held it out to them. “Do any of you recognize this?”
A gold work necklace dripped over his fingers, clusters of pearls separating the jeweled settings.
Mrs. Risewell brought a hand to her chest. “May I see it?”
Inspector Rutledge obliged. Mrs. Risewell turned the necklace over in her hands.
“Why, this is mine,” she said. “From my jewelry box upstairs.”
“Yes, I thought it might be. It was found in the pocket of his coat. And there were a few more pieces.” He gave a smug smile to Byron. “Seems we found our burglar.”
“So it seems,” Byron said.
Rutledge extended a hand. “I’ll need to hold onto it as evidence, if you don’t mind, Mrs. Risewell.”
“Oh. Yes, of course.” She handed the necklace back and the inspector pocketed it again.
“I’ll send a man to get your statement on the theft in a few hours. I believe we had best get the body to the morgue. A good day to you all.” The inspector tipped his hat and left the room.
