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“But what?” Miriam was not going to let it go.
“But it doesn’t help Sidney,” he replied.
“That isn’t what you were going to say.”
“Oh? What was I going to say?” He kept his voice soft, and his face almost entirely without expression.
She lifted her chin a little higher. “It doesn’t indicate a crime. Particularly, it doesn’t sound as if she was killed by someone else. I can’t see why anyone should kill her over the house. Can you? It’s nice, but there are many others like it, and in better repair. Did we miss something?” She looked at him curiously.
“I don’t know. I can’t think what. It would take quite a lot of money to turn it into a really beautiful house. It’s too small to be a hotel. The views are marvelous, and the garden is I think the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. But you don’t kick someone to death over a lovely garden, with an exquisite view.”
“It’s very solitary,” she said. “If you wanted to be left alone…”
“A hermit?” he said, half-jokingly.
“Possibly. Of interest as a religious retreat. Or to a painter or, even more likely, someone writing a book. A lot of peace.”
He had let go of her arm and they walked along the street slowly.
“Or a smuggler?” she suggested.
“Smuggling what? There aren’t enough people here to buy much. Tobacco? Brandy? I thought they took that sort of thing into Cornwall.”
“They probably do. I don’t know. It’s halfway between France and England, but it’s a lot shorter straight across the Channel from Dover to Calais. I want to see the doctor, Dr. Mullane. See what he says.”
“You think she was murdered!”
“I won’t be satisfied until I’ve proved to myself that she wasn’t.”
“Then let’s find him.” Daniel started forward determinedly. “And after that, we can see if there is someone who deals with the sale of houses. Or who can at least tell us something about whoever was interested in buying May’s house. From the postmistress’s description, it certainly wasn’t Sidney.”
* * *
—
IT WAS TWO hours before Dr. Mullane was free and could see them. This time they had decided that Daniel should begin the conversation and Miriam ask questions only if necessary, at least to start with.
Mullane was in his late forties, with a full head of untidy, sandy-colored hair turning white at the sides, and a pleasant, wind-burned face. Daniel liked him immediately. He decided to be candid.
“No medical particulars,” Daniel responded when the doctor inquired what he could do to help. “At least not anything for which there is any treatment now.” Daniel had already introduced himself and Miriam, without of course mentioning Miriam’s qualifications. “I’m a lawyer representing a man on trial for a crime for which, if he is found guilty, he will lose his reputation and career and, at least for a while, his freedom. Quite apart from the fact that I must do my best to represent his interests, I believe he is innocent. Others have made him look guilty, to cover a far more serious crime.”
Mullane looked frankly confused. “So how can I help? I can give you no medical opinion without seeing the patient.”
“Of course not,” Daniel agreed. “I would not ask it of you. But you can tell me medical facts of a case that is already closed, and with which I think you are familiar.”
“Not without the permission of the patient.”
“She cannot give it. Unfortunately, she is dead.”
Mullane started to rise from his chair, his face dark with distaste.
“Miss May Trelawny,” Daniel finished. “There seems to be a great deal at stake here, Dr. Mullane. I think her death may not have been accidental.” Had he just committed himself to a collision course with failure?
Mullane froze. “She was kicked to death by one of her own horses,” he said quietly. “How can that be deliberate? And who on earth would wish that on an elderly lady of moderate means and great charm?”
“For the house?” Daniel suggested.
“What? Don’t be absurd.” Mullane looked stunned. “I’m sorry, that was rude. But it’s a very ordinary house of quite modest proportions, and in need of major repair. I happen to know that the estate has not sufficient means to effect them. I believe it goes to a goddaughter. I think that is what May said.”
