Read Online Fallen Women by Sandra Dallas - Free Book Online Page B

yourself. Who wouldn’t have acted the same in your place?”
    “But she was my sister!” Beret almost sobbed.
    “This is no time for recriminations. Our duty is to find Lillie’s killer.”
    There was a knock on the library door, and a few seconds later, William entered the room, his arms filled with logs, and busied himself building up the fire. When he was done, he brushed his hands together and asked, “Will there be anything else, sir?”
    “No, go to bed,” John said, and after the butler left, the judge told Beret, “With all these servants to fetch and carry, I shall die of lethargy. But your aunt likes having them about, so I must put up with them.”
    Beret had risen from the stool and seated herself in a chair. Her glass was empty, but she didn’t want more brandy and set it on the table. “Detective Sergeant McCauley gave me the particulars of the murder. Would he have left out anything?” Beret tried to put her feelings aside to concentrate on the investigation.
    “We—he, that is, doesn’t know much. You are aware that she was stabbed with her own scissors? The house was empty at the time, except for Lillie and her killer. The detective believes she was murdered by someone in a rage and that he was not a thief, because he failed to take money and other valuables that were in plain sight.”
    “But he took Lillie’s diamond earrings. They haven’t been found.”
    “So they say. But I think it just as likely that the madam or one of the girls pocketed them.” He paused, considering something. “You’ll excuse me for my indelicacy, Beret, but the coroner believes, after a thorough examination of the body, that she was not raped. At least she didn’t suffer that indignity.”
    Beret did not find that consoling but said anyway, “We can be grateful for that.” She looked away and said in a soft voice, “I am told she was pregnant.”
    The judge swallowed but said nothing.
    “Does Aunt know?”
    “She knows, but it is best if you don’t mention it to her. She has had to face enough as it is.”
    “Was Lillie tortured?”
    The judge shook his head. “Not unless you consider being stabbed eight times by a pair of scissors torture.” He put the back of his hand to his forehead for a few moments. “I would not talk about such things with you, but I know your work at the mission prepares you—”
    “Nothing prepares me.” Indeed, Beret had seen women who had been beaten to death by their husbands, children who had been tortured by parents crazed by liquor or drugs, men who had been slaughtered in rage, but nothing had moved her like the death of her own sister.
    “No, of course not.”
    Beret stared out the window for a moment and was startled to see a shadow pass in front of the glass. “Uncle?”
    John looked up. “It’s only Jonas. He’s begun checking the grounds in the evenings since Lillie’s murder. He’s under the impression we might be in danger.”
    “Are you?”
    The judge smiled. “Not that I’m aware of, but Jonas feels protecting us is his duty.”
    “I met him earlier. He seems … odd.”
    “He is that. Jonas is a pet of your aunt’s. He was a newsboy. Varina saw some older boys beating him in the street. They’d stolen his money and broken his leg. She took her horsewhip to them.” The judge chuckled. “Your aunt can be a mighty impressive woman when her ire is raised. I believe you take after her in that respect. She got him into her carriage and took him to a hospital, then brought him home and set him up in a room in the carriage house two years ago, not long after your last visit. He’s been with us ever since, and there’s not a thing he wouldn’t do for any of us, especially your aunt. He all but worships her. Sometimes it seems as if he thinks she’s his mother. I believe Lillie’s death hit him hard, and he makes up for it by patrolling the house and garden to keep us safe.”
    Beret thought that over. Her aunt might be dedicated to society,