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“We go to a friend of mine who works as the magistrate in the next county, Marcus Billsdon. He has had his concerns about Olley’s capabilities for a while, but I think this might just be enough to get Olley removed from his position. Let’s set that aside for now. What we must do now is go through the rest of the victims. Tell me what you know about them,” Moss demanded of Clementine.
Dutifully, Clementine relayed what she knew, which wasn’t much to be fair, but Moss still scribbled notes in his little book. Eventually, Clementine had told him everything and Moss was left studying the details which, if he was honest, weren’t enough to solve four murders.
“What do we do now?” Cameron asked quietly.
“Now, I think we need to look at a map, and locate where each of the deceased people lived.”
“I have some parchment in the study.” Cameron left the table to fetch some parchment, a quill, and some ink, which he placed on the table between them.
The Captain set about drawing the map while Clementine pretended that she wasn’t really studying Moss.
“It will be all right, you know,” Moss urged her gently.
“How do you do that?” she asked.
“What?”
“Seem to know what I am thinking?” Clementine squinted suspiciously at him.
Moss grinned at her and was rewarded by an answering smile that relieved some of the worry shadowing her eyes.
“He is a good judge of character,” the Captain assured her.
Aware of the silence that lengthened while he and the Captain drew the map, Cameron glanced up only to find Moss and Clementine trying hard to avoid each other’s gaze. When they were certain the other wasn’t looking, Moss and Clementine took sneaky peeks at each other. Ostensibly, they were sizing each other up with far more intent than was usual. Not that Cameron had any objection to Moss being Clementine’s suitor, he didn’t. It was just that Clementine had never shown any interest in any young men who had come through their door in the past and he struggled to understand why Moss was different. With Moss, Clementine was not only actively engaging in lively conversation with him, but she was studying him, giving him long, searching looks in much the same way as he kept looking at her, all the while smiling insipidly at him like a love-struck youth.
Good Lord.
Cameron began to look at the man sitting at the head of the table with a newfound purpose and wondered if he was looking at his future son-in-law. If he was then as far as Cameron was concerned it could only be a good thing. What he knew about Moses Banfield-Moss was that he was a trustworthy gentleman who had earnt himself a sterling reputation for being the best private detective in the area. He was strong, and bold, and someone they could all rely on. Moss had taken Clementine’s claims of foul-play on board, had considered them, decided they were worthy of further investigation, and had come straight over to tell her. How much of that decision to see her again was because Moss had a more personal interest in Clementine was something Cameron didn’t want to contemplate. He was just grateful that Moss was there, and Clementine had been to seek his help. If Moss said Clementine wasn’t to do something, she was more likely to follow his orders. That made Cameron’s life considerably easier because he wouldn’t have to battle with his daughter whenever she wanted to go out. He could rest assured that Clementine would have the best protector it was possible to have: Moss.
“You are more than welcome to stay here while you investigate this if you would like,” Cameron found himself offering.
Moss opened his mouth to reject the offer but then closed it again with a snap. He suspected that if he did go home then he would be unable to settle until he returned. Besides, if he ventured home every day, he would spend at least a good couple of hours riding through the damned winding country lanes and it would drive him out of his mind with frustration.
“He can stay with me,” the Captain offered.
“What if this killer is after Clementine, like you say? While I will do everything possible to ensure that the house is always secure, I cannot be on guard all the time,” Cameron argued.
“I think it might be best if I stay here. I can keep watch when you go out, Cameron, and vice versa. That way, we can make sure that Clementine isn’t left alone and vulnerable,” Moss replied.
“Excuse
me, I can take care of myself, you know,” Clementine interrupted.
Moss smiled at her, but it was brief. “I am sure the four victims thought they were safe in the village too. One thing you should remember is that the killer is someone you know. What will you do if someone comes knocking on the door for a quick chat? You can hardly refuse to allow them in, can you? But how do you know you are not allowing a killer into your house? You must consider that may be what the victims all did; invite the seemingly innocuous person into their home only to be murdered by their trust in the wrong person.”
Clementine closed her eyes as her stomach turned over.
Moss saw the horror on her face and immediately regretted his words. Still, he wanted her to be wary of everyone.
“It will help deter the killer if he or she knows you are not alone,” he urged.
“She? Surely, all those deaths cannot have been carried out by a woman,” the Captain gasped.
“We cannot discount anybody.” Moss carefully folded his pocket book up and tucked it back into his pocket.
“Good Lord,” Cameron whispered.
Moss looked at Cameron. “So, in answer to your question, I think it would be best if I stayed here. If that is all right with you, Captain?”
