Read Online Sonnet to a Dead Contessa by Gilbert Morris - Free Book Online

waited for Welles to speak, and when Welles simply stared at him in disbelief, he said, “We checked his movements very carefully. He was, of course, on stage until ten o’clock, at which time the play was over. He went out to eat with some of his fellow actors, and they were together until eleven thirty.”
    “They have lied for him, of course.”
    “No, sir, they would not lie for him, not those that I have mentioned. We checked not only the actors but others who were present. One of them was Lord Cherbourg. I’m sure you’re familiar with his record. Lord Cherbourg said that Mr. Tremayne was with him until eleven thirty.”
    “But the papers say that my wife was killed sometime between midnight and eight in the morning.”
    “That’s true.”
    “Then this actor fellow would have had plenty of time to come to my house, break in, and kill my wife.”
    “What would his motive be?”
    “He’s a maniac. I’ve had threats before, Superintendent.”
    “Well, as far as I can ascertain, there was no motive. Your wife did go backstage and congratulate Tremayne, but she remained only for a few moments and then left. That’s when Tremayne went out for supper.”
    “But after the supper he would have had plenty of time.”
    “Yes, sir, he would have had time, but we know exactly where he was all that night.”
    “What does the man claim? I suppose he has some lying actors, low-class people, to swear he was with them.”
    Grant ground his teeth together. “He was at the Water Street Mission from midnight until the next morning.”
    “The Water Street Mission? That’s some sort of work carried on for drunks and harlots, isn’t it?”
    “It’s a Christian organization. They try to feed and care for those who are unfortunate, yes.”
    “I refuse to believe that you are such a simpleton, Grant! You’re going to take the word of those people? You’re not fit to be superintendent of Scotland Yard!”
    “Dr. Able Matson was there all night. I have his sworn statement that Dylan Tremayne never left the side of a dying man that Dr. Matson was treating. I suppose you have heard of Dr. Matson?”
    Sir Herbert opened his mouth to speak but found that he had nothing to say. Dr. Able Matson was a nobleman and actually could have the title “Sir” before his name, but he preferred “Dr.” All of London knew of his work, and his reputation was spotless.
    “I refuse to accept this. I’m going to look into it further. I’ll have a word with Dr. Matson myself.”
    “If you choose. I have his sworn statement if you’d care to read that.”
    “I’ll speak to the doctor himself, and I’m warning you. I’m expecting results from you, Superintendent, and soon!”
    The door slammed as Welles left, and Matthew Grant went slowly back to his desk and sat down. He would have liked to have struck a mighty blow right between the eyes of Sir Herbert Welles, but he had more control of himself than that. He sat there waiting until finally he calmed and then went to the door and called out, “Kenzie, come in here, please.”
    He went back to his seat as Sergeant Kenzie entered and said, “I heard most of what was said. It was rather stupid, if you ask me.”
    “Don’t let the reporters hear you say that about a member of the House of Lords—however true it might be.”
    “Of course not, sir.”
    Grant leaned forward and said quietly, “Kenzie, I’m giving you an assignment. I want you to go find out everything you can about Lord Herbert Welles and about his wife. Dig deep. Talk to the servants. Anyone who might know something.”
    Kenzie nodded at once. “You suspect him?”
    “I think he’s overreacting, Kenzie. A man would be upset about the death of his wife, but from all I’ve heard of Sir Herbert Welles, this behaviour is not typical. I think he’s putting on some kind of a show, and I want to know why. Get right to it.”

    “Tell us about the knife, Mr. Tremayne!”
    Dylan had just stepped out of his carriage