The Secret of Hollyfield House by Jude Bayton (first ebook reader TXT) 📕

Sidney had it straight from the Chief Inspector’s mouth. ’Twas Billy’s knife found in the bushes by Miss LaVelle an’ one of the staff at Hollyfield, not ten yards from where the body was left.”

“How strange it is only just now discovered, though a thorough search was made the day the body was found. Does it not occur to you that Billy would have removed the weapon, or at least hidden it, or thrown it into the lake to conceal his guilt?” I asked

“Fair points, Jilly.” Uncle Jasper agreed. “Except when searching, it would be easy enough to miss the object with all the new growth of grasses and such. As for the disposal of the knife, your regular criminal type would have the wherewithal to be devious enough to do just that. But Billy, as you know, is not your typical young man. I doubt it would even occur to him to hide the knife.”

“Yet you are ready to believe it would occur to him to stab a man to death in cold blood?” I was curt yet cared not. Why was I so quick to defend Billy Wolfe? Was I being fair giving him the benefit of the doubt, or was it because of my interest in his brother, Dominic? I pushed the notion away with distaste. I could not countenance the idea of the boy doing something so evil.

“You seem extremely sensitive to his situation, Jilly. May I ask why?” Uncle Jasper peered over his spectacles in inquiry.

I shrugged. “I stopped at Wolfe Farm on my way home. I was concerned for Dominic.” I felt no shame in my actions, nor did I care if I breached proprietary.

“I see. How did you find him?”

“Overwrought, tired, scared at the prospect of what might happen to his brother. Dominic cannot believe Billy capable of killing anyone or anything, for that matter.”

“Well now, he would think that being family,” Mrs Stackpoole announced. “Only natural to defend your own. Why I remember—”

“He believes Billy to be innocent and intends to prove it.” I snapped. “Dominic has not been able to speak with his brother yet, but he will, and then he can make some sense of it all.”

Uncle Jasper nodded solemnly. “Jilly, you are right. Mrs Stackpoole and I should not jump to conclusions without knowing the entire story.” He glanced at the older woman, who did not appear to echo his sentiments based upon the expression on her face. “You are correct in recognizing that a person is indeed innocent until proven guilty. Therefore,” he rose from the chair. “I shall not discuss young Billy until I have more information. ’Tis for the law to determine the outcome.”

Mrs Stackpoole placed her cup on the table and stood. “You think what you like, Professor. But mark my words. That boy lost his temper an’ killed Jareth Flynn. Sidney says people afflicted like Billy Wolfe are touched in the head. They don’t understand right from wrong, nor good from bad. Not out of wickedness, but because they are born idiots.”

My sharp intake of breath stopped her before she went further. Uncle Jasper glowered at me not to speak, and I held my tongue until she had left the room. I let out a gasp of derision.

“Why are people so discriminating of others, Uncle? Billy is no imbecile. He is stricken with a condition he was born with. Of course, he faces challenges we do not understand. But that does not make him an idiot, and I find it offensive when he is referred to as one.”

Uncle Jasper came to stand by me and placed an arm about my shoulders. I sat where I was and leaned my head against his side. “I am sorry, Uncle. I do not mean to sound so angry.”

“Don’t apologise, Jilly. It is a terrible thing which has taken place in our little village. You have spent time with Dominic, who is understandably torn up with anxiety about his brother. ’Tis no wonder you feel strongly. You are upset, and justifiably I might add.”

He moved away, and I got to my feet. As I went to the doorway Uncle Jasper took my place at his desk.

“Jilly, perhaps we should ask Dominic to join us for dinner today. He might need some company.”

“He plans to come by later, Uncle. I am unsure of when, but it will be after he sends his telegram.”

“Telegram?”

“Yes,” I said. “He requests Victor LaVelle’s help to prove his brother’s innocence.”

“Well now.” Uncle Jasper was pensive. “That should put the cat among the pigeons.”

TRUE TO HIS WORD, DOMINIC stopped by our house. He spent more than an hour behind closed doors with my uncle in the study. Mrs Stackpoole took them refreshment and a sandwich, but I abstained from joining them. I determined Uncle Jasper might offer better guidance without me in the way.

Later, I heard the study door open, and Dominic came into the kitchen. His face was still drawn and worried, but his expression conveyed fortitude and purpose, not the defeatism and concern which I had witnessed earlier that day. I was relieved to see him thus. I understood it would take courage for him to engage in the legal battle that might ensue. He would need all his reserve of strength.

He stood close. “Jillian, thank you for coming to see me earlier. It was good of you.” He reached for one of my hands and held it gently. “I was all at sea with what to do. Your visit anchored me so I could make a plan and go forward.”

I smiled, and my heart swelled. My hand in his seemed to know it was in the right place. “Uncle Jasper and I are here to help in any way we can. You have only to speak, and we shall be there.”

“Thank you,” he said earnestly, and his eyes warmed. “A telegram is on its way to Victor LaVelle and I have high hopes he will be here by tomorrow evening. Then I