Murder she wrought THREE

"Ah, Ernest my dear chap, how have you been? You are looking a little... drawn."

"Well, I don't mind telling you, George, I have been a bit weary these past few days."

"I am not surprised with all the goings on you have had to face."

• Read: Murder She Wrought part one
• Read: Murder she wrought part two

"Yes, that damn girl. She has caused as much trouble dead as she did when she was alive.

"Does your good lady know about...?"

"She has known for some time. There is certainly no pulling the wool over her eyes."

"I see... well you look like you could use a drink. What'll it be old man?"

"Thanks, George. Whisky for me..."

"JENKINS! Whisky for Mr Christie, and don't forget the soda syphon this time! I'll have another pink gin, to save your poor old legs a second trip to the bar, what? Ha!

"Sorry Ernest... you were saying..."

"About the girl... Of course it was dreadful news to hear that she had been killed..."

"Yes dreadful business... what is the world coming to. No doubt some man she had been seeing..."

"One would imagine so, though we had some dreadful police inspector or whatever he was, paid a call, asking lots of questions. Grubby little man with matchbox moustache and dirty fingernails."

"Did you tell him about..."

"Certainly not. None of his damn business. Can't see what relevance that would have to his little 'murder investigation' as he put it, in any case."

"Good God! He doesn't think you might have something to do with it does he?"

"Can't see why he would. I'm hardly the kind of person who would bash a servant's head in, now am I?"

"Hardly."

"Might be best, though, if you could say I was here at the club with you last Thursday... just in case anyone asks."

"Hmmm, last Thursday... yes... yes of course old chap. You can rely on me."

"Yes, thanks George. I doubt you will be asked but, you know, just in case. They'll probably find the man that did it soon enough and with his hands still red. Until then, I don't want any more dealings with that police chappie if I can avoid it."

"Indeed. Such a wretched thing. To get dragged into all this fuss just because she was your parlour maid..."

"Until I dismissed her, three weeks ago..."

"Yes, of course..."

"That's when I told my dear wife... broke my heart to see the look on her face."

"I can imagine..."

"I'm a damn fool for allowing it to happen in the first place."

"Steady on, old man, don't blame yourself..."

"But I do blame myself, George. You show a little kindness to these people and they take advantage."

"Kindness, George?"

"Yes, kindness. Saw her crying on her own one night. I was just popping down to help myself to a bit of Cooky's wild boar pie. She'd swear blind it was all gone if I'd ask her, so I thought I'd check the pantry myself. There she was, the girl that is, sobbing her heart out about some nonsense."

"I see..."

"Yes, and all I did was put an arm around her to cheer her up and gave her a little smile... thought that was the end of it..."

"Hmmm... I can see where this might lead..."

"Well that's why I am such a bloody fool. Didn't take long for her to turn the waterworks on again, telling me about her sick mama and all that. Stupidly, I gave her a couple of shillings, thinking it might shut her up..."

"And of course it didn't…”

"Exactly. After that, she was always popping up to fuss around whenever Annabel was locked away in her study. Giving me furtive looks and brushing past me at every opportunity... "

"I can see what you mean, dear boy."

"Even so, I shouldn't have allowed it to happen..."

"Don't suppose she put up much resistance..."

"Resistance? She practically raped me."

"Oh dear... ha-hmm. Sorry, old man, I know it is not a laughing matter."

"No indeed. Not when she starts asking for money. Not for her, she says, it's her sick mother..."

"Ghastly business...

"What is it Jenkins?"

"It's Mr Christie, Sir. A gentleman to see him. Says he is an inspector, sir."

"An inspector? What kind of an inspector?"

"A police inspector?"

"A police inspector to see me?"

"Yerss Mr Christie, Sir. Shall I send him away?

"No, tell him to wait in the lobby. I'll come and see what he wants when I have finished my whisky...”

"Gracious, Ernest, whatever can the fellow want now?"

"Just some more of his idiotic questions I imagine. I'll just go get rid of him and then would you like another gin?"

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Part 4 the conclusion: The Unfaithful Servant

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• Read: Murder She Wrought part one
• Read: Murder she wrought part two