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

“Excellent notion. I won’t have anything new for you to do until tomorrow at the earliest. You go off later and get some fresh air.”

I left him to his work. He had been right about me. I was tired. But then so much had happened since my arrival in Ambleside. I had barely become used to living with Uncle Jasper, when I had made the shocking discovery of a body, closely followed by the accident with the LaVelle’s carriage. Since meeting Evergreen, my life felt changed, chaotic. I chided myself to stop thinking about everything. Instead, I made a strong cup of tea, which I took over to the kitchen table and settled down to business.

The morning passed quickly. After luncheon with my uncle, I collected my things and set off outdoors. I had no specific plans, but it was a sunny afternoon, the temperature clement and I yearned for some good wholesome spring air. My feet automatically led me willingly to Wolfe Farm. I did not consider it improper for me to stop by in the middle of the day, although I was not certain Dominic would be there.

I arrived at the farmhouse and heard the low rumble of male voices talking inside. I lifted my hand to rap upon the door and then hesitated. Should I go away and not intrude? My curiosity was piqued. I knocked.

“Jilly?” The door opened revealing Dominic’s surprise at my being there. But he smiled and invited me in.

“If you have company,” I stated. “I do not want to interrupt. Would you prefer I come back later?”

“No, you are most welcome,” he said, and our eyes met briefly. In that moment I knew a sense of relief, for Dominic looked much improved since our last meeting. It must be due to the arrival of Mr LaVelle.

“Come into the kitchen, Jilly.” Dominic led the way. “Victor is here, and I would like him to meet you.”

I followed. “Actually Dominic, I have met—”

“Miss Farraday.” Mr LaVelle rose from the kitchen table and gave a curt nod. He appeared conspicuous within the unadorned room—by contrast, he was polished and sophisticated.

“Dominic, I had the pleasure of meeting this young lady yesterday. It seems Miss Farraday is quite popular with my family, and apparently yours as well.” He gave a dashing grin and I warmed to him immediately.

“Jilly and I are new friends,” Dominic stated. “But I feel as though I have known her a long while. She and Jasper have been most kind and supportive.” I liked that he used the affectionate abbreviation of my name.

“Good to know, Dom.” His green eyes drew level with mine. “I’ve long held a high regard for the professor. Miss Farraday, won’t you take a seat?”

“Please call me Jillian, Mr LaVelle.”

“I shall, and likewise, you must call me Victor. Now, Dominic, shall we continue with this later?”

I had disturbed them. I rose to leave.

“Jillian,” Dominic said quickly. “I want you to stay.” He looked over at Victor. “Jillian has offered to help with Billy’s case in any way she can. I should like her to remain, if you are in agreement, Victor?”

The older man nodded. “Whatever you decide is acceptable with me.” He threw a friendly smile in my direction. “Now. Dominic and I were discussing the evidence brought forth against Billy. All quite damning, unfortunately.”

“What evidence do the authorities have?” I asked.

“The murder weapon, of course. And a wallet belonging to Flynn, found in Billy’s room. Other than that, there is nothing else. But those two items are enough to convict him.”

“But there must also be a motive.” I rebutted. “What was the relationship between Billy and the blacksmith?”

“There wasn’t one, as far as I know,” said Dominic. “Flynn was a show-off; he liked the sound of his own voice. He’d teased my brother on several occasions, usually if he had an audience. But it seldom angered Billy. If anything, it would make him cry. I was the one who would get angry about it. I had more motive to hurt the man than my brother.”

“What of Billy’s whereabouts the evening of the murder? Does he have an alibi?” I asked.

“He was in the woods looking at the baby bunnies.” This time it was Victor who spoke. “Billy has no real concept of time, but he insists that is where he was. Unfortunately, it would not be difficult for any solicitor to question him upon that point and confuse him. The problem with a lad like Billy is he is guileless. He does not understand his tenuous position and cannot in truth defend himself.”

No one spoke as we absorbed Victor’s words. He was right. This was a horrific situation for any person, but for a boy like Billy, it was a nightmare.

I chewed my bottom lip. “If Billy did not kill Jareth Flynn, then who do you think did? After all, initially they must have had cause to arrest the other person. A gambler I believe someone said?”

“He was,” answered Dominic. “And it seems more likely that would be a far stronger motive. Perhaps not the fellow they held, but what about another? Flynn was a gambling man and money is often the cause of heinous crime. As for Billy’s motive, although he didn’t take kindly to being ridiculed by Jareth, he is easily intimidated by people. It would be one thing for him to hit the blacksmith or knock him down in a fit of temper, but quite another to stick a knife into a man’s heart. Jillian, you’ve seen him with the calves and the livestock. My brother doesn’t have that kind of rage in him.”

“But the knife—” I began.

“Ah, the knife.” Victor nodded. “The murder weapon is such damning evidence for the boy, and there’s no doubt it was his knife which was used. But Billy says he’d lost his knife, and we believe him.”

“So, do you think someone found the knife by chance and killed Flynn? Or is it more likely