In the same steely tone, he said, “Today in the pit, some of the Irish boys were talking about the ‘pretty red-haired lass that works for old widow Moyle.’”
Oh Lord.“Well, that’s nice of them,” I said, a bored note in my voice. “I best get to fixing your supper, hadn’t I?”
“Be still, Mina.”
My hands trembled as I planted them on my hips. The lump on my head began to throb.
“One of those boys had to leave his shift early yesterday and saw you walking home from work.AfterI told you that you were finished at The Magpie.”
I shrugged, as if my heart weren’t hammering away. “I spoke to Mr. Hilliard, and he told me there’s no more danger. Whatever got that solicitor has moved on now. Most likely a rabid dog.” I was twisting the truth pretty far, but I’d take the sin if it could save my job. Even after what had happened today.
His eyes narrowed. “Youknowthat I meant you were finished for good, Mina.”
“Why do you think it’s you who gets to decide that?”
His cold tone finally flared hot as he replied, “Do we have to do thisagain? Because Da is gone and I have to speak for him. I know he’d say the same, and so do you. Now, I won’t have you defying me! Aren’t you ashamed those boys were speaking about you like you were some bit of—”
“Jack Penrose, don’t you dare!”
I’d shouted so loud he took a step back.Good.
Bringing my tone down a notch, I said, “I know you think you’re taking care of me, Jack. But I don’t care what some strangers said about me, and you shouldn’t, either. It doesn’t sound to me like they meant any disrespect, anyway. I don’t so much mind being called a ‘pretty lass’ bysomebody. But if you don’t want them talking like that, next time just tell them you’re my brother and you won’t have it, instead of coming home and shouting atme.”
“And a good thing I did come home,” Jack muttered hotly. “Tregarrick, of all men! What were you thinking?”
I shook my head, annoyed that once I’d won my point he’d simply moved on to his next complaint. “What are you on aboutnow?”
“Don’t you know half the village thinks he had something to do with the murder?”
I stared, speechless for a second. “Why on earth would they think that?”
“There’s something not right about that old place. Not right abouthim. Everyone in Roche knows that, and you should, too. They found that solicitor almost—”
“Me,” I gritted out. “Ifound him.” Tears stung my eyes, and I knotted my fists in my skirt, fighting to hold them back.
Jack noticed, and the lines around his eyes softened. Even his voice was softer as he said, “Point is, didn’t you wonder why his body was just outside the wall, while his bag wasinside? And the fact that there was nobloodthere at all? Somebody moved him off the estate, Mina.”
I stared at Jack with my mouth hanging open, trying to take all this in. Though I couldn’t believe he had come up with it on his own, there was sense in it. For a few seconds my chest was too tight to breathe.
Finally I said, “Mr. Roscoe died from an animal bite, Jack. You shouldn’t pay so much attention to talk at The Wolf’s Head.” But even Mr. Tregarrick had seemed to question this, and I had to ask myself why I was hiding so much from my brother.
“Next time you see widow Moyle, you ask her if she knows any of the old stories.”
“Whatstories?”
“Stories about the Wolf of Roche Rock.”
My heart began to thump as I remembered the wolf in Mr. Tregarrick’s cup. But he had saved my life! Granted, I only had his word for that, but the idea ofhimattacking me made no sense at all. Yet I knew therewereold stories of a wolf on the estate.
By the light in Jack’s bloodshot eyes, I could see he thought he was winning, and I wasn’t about to go along with the notion that Mr. Tregarrick might be guilty of murder.
“That’s nonsense, Jack,” I snapped. “This comes of too much drink, and cheap talk with others who’ve had too much drink.”
At first, he looked like he’d been slapped. Then his expression hardened, and he stepped closer to me.
“You’re not to set foot out of this door without my leave. I know you think you’re smarter than me now, but I’m still the head of this house.”
He turned and walked out, slamming the door behind him.
