Page 139 of The Cottage at Brambleton Hall

By the time Magnus began unfastening the door, two officers were coming up the steps. And behind them – Nate. Scowling. So not a routine follow-up. He fumbled with the last lock, pulled the door wide, and went outside.

The two officers stood side by side in black, one older, stockier, solid in his uniform; the other younger, with a notebook in his hands.

‘Good morning officers – how can I be of assistance?’

‘Morning sir,’ the older officer said. ‘We’re looking for a Ms Samantha Jenkins.’

Magnus gaze sharpened. ‘She is on duty.’

Miss Jenkins joined. ‘Is something wrong?’ she asked.

The officer’s gaze slid from Magnus, settling on the housekeeper. ‘Ms Jenkins?’

‘Yes.’

‘We detained a man on the estate earlier this morning. James Morgan.’

Magnus shook his head. ‘That man has no business on the estate.’

‘Thank you sir,’ said the officer. He switched his attention back to Sammy. ‘Mr Morgan was in possession of a rifle. He’s been released pending further investigation. We’re establishing how he came to be on the property.’

The younger officer read from his notebook. ‘He claims: “I had permission. From the housekeeper Sammy. She told me it was okay to be there.”’

She shook her head. ‘He’s lying. I didn’t give him permission.’

Magnus watched her as she spoke. No hesitation there.

The officer didn’t close his notebook, and something about that made it clear he wasn’t finished with her. ‘He also claims he’s been staying at your cottage.’

Magnus went still. Staying at her cottage? After what she’d said this morning?

‘Ms Jenkins?’ said the officer.

‘He has not been staying,’ she said. ‘My friend’s staying with me. She knows him. He’s come by . . . occasionally. That’s all.’

That took too long; too complicated, and too defensive.

‘So, you were aware of him being present at the cottage?’ the senior officer said.

She shuffled her feet. ‘Yes. But I didn’t know he was on the estate grounds.’

‘He was found well within the boundary.’

‘I didn’t give him permission,’ she repeated.

‘Were you aware he had access to a firearm?’ asked the officer.

When she didn’t answer. Magnus spotted it – that hesitation.

‘I’ve seen it,’ she said at last. ‘A shotgun. Not a rifle.’

Magnus drew in a sharp breath. The distinction was not accidental. And the officer’s pen had moved in response, a quiet scratch across the page before the notebook snapped shut.

‘Thank you for your time, sir,’ said the senior officer. His gaze switched to Miss Jenkins. ‘We may need to speak to you again. Once charges are confirmed.’

The officers returned to their vehicle. Doors shut. Engine turning over again, the sound receding down the drive.

‘They picked him up at first light,’ Nate said. ‘Lower orchard. Rifle on him.’