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“We’ll continue,” Ellis says. “So Gabriel and Calvin are out of the question. The next most likely suspect, I suppose, is… Suzannah?”
“I’ll talk to her,” I say.
“No. I want to.”
“But she – ”
“Hates me, I know. Because she’s in love with you.”
“She’s not – ”
“But we’re cousins,” Ellis goes on. “I don’t want us to have any bad blood between us. The sooner I can make peace with her, the better. Besides, it is Christmas.”
“And what if she was the one who sent you the note?” I ask. “Are you going to forgive her just because it’s Christmas?”
She shrugs.
“Ellis…”
“If she’s the one who sent the note, I don’t think she’s going to do more,” Ellis says. “She can be mean, but I don’t see her physically trying to hurt anyone else.”
I understand what she’s trying to say. I don’t see Suzannah trying to hit anyone, either. She’s had fights with other models in the past, but none of them have ever ended up in hospitals or ditches. Even so…
“Just promise me that if she’s the one who did it, you’ll let me know,” I say. “Don’t cover up for her.”
“Fine.”
I touch my chin. “As for me, I guess I’ll speak to…”
“Norman,” Ellis supplies.
I narrow my eyes at her. “Norman?”
“I actually told Calvin about the note…”
“What?”
“Don’t worry. I made him promise not to tell.”
And she thinks he’ll keep that promise? What exactly went on between the two of them? I’m starting to feel jealous.
“He said the most likely suspect is Norman,” Ellis finishes her explanation.
“Because he’s the butler? How cliche.”
“Because he’s also in Samuel’s will,” Ellis says. “Apparently, Samuel made a deal with him, saying that after his death, Norman would no longer be required to work here, that he would be allowed to retire and be given enough money so he can live comfortably for the rest of his life.”
“Calvin told you this?”
“Yes. Norman should have been in Samuel’s room with us.”
“But surely his share isn’t as big as the Northups’. After all, he isn’t one. And I’m sure he’ll be getting that share no matter what.”
Besides, I don’t see Norman threatening anyone.
Ellis shrugs. “Maybe it’s not for money. Maybe it’s because of his loyalty to the family. Maybe he thinks I’m causing trouble.”
That I can imagine. Norman is fiercely loyal to the Northups even though he doesn’t always approve of the things they do.
“Or maybe someone ordered him to do it.”
Also plausible.
“At any rate, I do think he’s worth investigating because after Calvin suggested him, I remembered seeing him right after I saw the note,” Ellis tells me. “You see, the note was under the door. I opened the door to find out who’d left it and no one was around but I do remember seeing Norman standing down the hall. When our eyes met, he looked surprised and then he disappeared inside one of the guest rooms.”
I frown. “And you’re only remembering such an important piece of information now?”
“I’m sorry, but yes. I did just remember this now.”
I sigh. “Anyway, I will be talking to Norman. Leave him to me.”
“Okay.” Ellis nods. “And you can leave Suzannah to me.”
“Okay.”
I guess our investigation continues.
~
I head to the servants’ quarters after dinner. I still don’t think Norman threatened Ellis, but after all she told me, I suppose I have some questions to ask him. Even if he isn’t the culprit, he might know who is. After all, he does know nearly everything that goes on inside this house.
As I pass by the kitchen, I notice someone fleeing with something in her arms. At first, I think it’s a maid but then she passes through a strip of moonlight and I realize who she is.
Suzannah.
What was she doing in the kitchen at this hour? What is she carrying?
I know that I’m not supposed to be the one to talk to her. I know Ellis is trying her best. But I just can’t ignore her now that I’ve caught her acting suspiciously.
Besides, I can still talk to Norman tomorrow.
I follow her upstairs, hiding in the shadows each time Suzannah glances over her shoulder. The fact that she keeps doing it just confirms my suspicion that she’s doing something bad.
Eventually, she disappears into a room – not her bedroom but a guest room. My eyebrows furrow. What is she doing there?
There’s only one way for me to know and I take it. I open the door and find Suzannah on top of the bed, surrounded by chocolate truffles and candy bars. She’s just popped one inside her mouth, which remains wide open when she sees me.
I frown.
“For goodness’ sake, close your mouth,” I tell her before turning back towards the door.
“Wait!” Suzannah grabs my arm just as I’ve opened it. “Please don’t tell anyone.”
I glance at the sweets on the bed. “That you’re eating too many sweets? I won’t.”
