“But you have no proof,” Bridget said.
“I don’t think it will be difficult to get them to confess. I believe they are, in all probability, proud of what they’ve done. It’s a statement, you see. They’ve taken action on behalf of their friend. Just as they did in getting Groby arrested and locked away. It’s the only way they can help him and preserve his dignity now.”
Bridget sighed. “Death has a way of making the living feel helpless,” she said. “Poor Rupert and Charlie. What will you do?”
“The only thing that can be done,” Nate said.And I won’t be sorry to see the back of them.
“Then, you’ll throw them out?” Bridget said, and Nate could hear the distress in her voice.
“I have no choice,” he said, and he meant it. Despite being happy to have Rupert gone, he really did not have a choice.
“I think you might have a difficult time of it. They seem to have made some friends here.” Bridget looked toward the Villa as she spoke, and Nate followed her gaze. Then his heart sank. Rupert had exited the villa in the company of Helen and Henry. Nate’s son stood between the pair, each of whom held one of his dear little hands. Nate watched as they lifted the child off the ground and swung him in the air between the two of them. The child laughed hysterically.
“She’ll accuse you of being jealous,” Bridget said.
“I know,” Nate said, his chest tightening with every breath.
“Then it’s best you leave well enough alone. We can’t prove that Rupert did anything to those paintings. And if I’m not mistaken, I saw an empty bottle of brandy next to Mr. Angert’s bed. For all we know, he could have done that damage himself when inebriated. His behavior is a little strange at times.”
“Strange is an understatement,” Nate said, his eyes still fixed on Helen, Henry, and Rupert. He could not believe Helen was making such a spectacle of herself. How long would she punish him for disappearing for three days with Bridget and her aunt? Helen had taken it as a personal insult, which was ludicrous. She thought the entire world revolved around her. Whatever happened, he could not let her think she had any control over his life or his emotions.
“It certainly looks like Rupert’s mood has improved,” Bridget said. “It’s almost as though he’s taken George’s place as the popular young poet among the ladies.”
“I don’t know. I think he’s just Helen’s pet project at the moment. She must have the attention of every man in her vicinity. What I don’t like is her palming off my son to every man who takes her fancy,” Nate said, lowering his voice as the trio approached them.
“Oh,” Helen said, clearly pretending to be startled at seeing Nate. “You’re here.”
“Yes.” Nate smiled at Henry and crouched to the child’s height. “Hello, Henry. Have you been having fun?”
The child nodded.
“I was wondering, do you like horses?”
Henry nodded again. “I like Prince.”
“Prince? Is he your pony?”
Another nod and a grin.
“How would you like to come riding with me someday? My horse is very tall, probably not like your Prince, but you can sit in the saddle with me. Would you like that?”
“Yes!” The child’s round face beamed.
Nate stood and faced Helen. “How about tomorrow?”
“Not tomorrow. Rupert and I are taking Henry on a picnic. Perhaps another day. It all depends.”
“On what?” Nate asked, his chest tight with both disappointment and anger.
Helen merely shrugged and gave Bridget another cold stare before sauntering away, taking Henry and Rupert with her.
*
Nate sighed ashe watched his son leave. “I suppose it’s for the best,” he said. “I do need to go and have that talk with Collins.”
“You don’t expect him to admit anything, do you?”
“He might if he is innocent. If he and Mrs. Groby do have a history together, it doesn’t mean he killed George, but it is something we need to know. I got the distinct feeling that the vicar in Harrogate wasn’t telling me the entire truth.”
