“Nothing like that. But we’ve ascertained that the prussic acid we found in the shed was used for the crime. At least we can surmise that it was because both the packet and jar were wiped clear of fingerprints. Somebody didn’t have time to put on gloves and had to make sure there was no incriminating evidence. So I would have to surmise that it must have been a family member or one of their staff—because what outsider would know that there was prussic acid in a shed?”
“I agree,” I said. “Unless he went into an outbuilding to hide until dark and noticed the jar containing the prussic acid on the shelf.”
“Rather a long shot, don’t you think?” His smile was condescending. “A man comes here with the intention of killing Brian Hannan but hasn’t thought out the method until he spots the prussic acid on a shelf? I don’t think I could go with that.”
“You’re probably right,” I agreed. “It is a long shot.”
“So if I could just speak with your husband for a few minutes. He’d want to be apprised of this, I know.” He was now attempting to open the front door.
He was beginning to annoy me. I suppose it was the condescending smile that did it. “I will pass along this information to my husband as soon as he seems well enough,” I said.
He hesitated. “I had hoped he might share a little expertise, you know. He’s obviously faced murders more frequently than I have. I can only remember two other deaths since I’ve been police chief and one of those was a drunken fight between sailors. I’m going to have to play one family member against another to extract a confession, Mrs. Sullivan. I think they must know more than they are telling me. But they are remaining stubbornly close-lipped and I can’t keep them all here indefinitely. I got an earful from Joseph Hannan about how I’m wrecking his business by keeping him here.”
“If you like,” I said cautiously, “I was thinking of going to New York myself tomorrow. I’d be happy to visit Brian Hannan’s office on your behalf—not officially, I realize. But I could ask some questions and see if Brian Hannan had confided in his secretary any concerns about his family.”
“Mrs. Sullivan, I couldn’t possibly…” he blustered, completely off guard. “I mean to say that kind of thing … if word got out…” He was grinning now. “I’m sorry, but I can’t ask a woman to do this kind of work. I’m sure it’s very good of you to want to help, but your place is looking after your husband.” He touched his cap to me. “I will return tomorrow then, and hope your husband will be well enough to speak with me. In the meantime please understand that it is not your place to interfere in a police investigation.”
I swallowed back what I wanted to say to him. He was happy to use my husband but not me. I found my gaze going up to the tower. Now I was even less inclined to spill the beans about Kathleen. The thought went through my mind that I might find myself in trouble for withholding evidence and keeping what I knew about Kathleen from the family and the police. I wondered if I was letting my impulses rule my head again for no valid reason other than my pride had been wounded. It wasn’t as if I was any nearer to solving this murder than Chief Prescott.
Gus and Sid moved closer to me as he walked away.
“I don’t think that man is likely to be solving anything in the near future, do you?” Sid said.
“But you heard what he told you, Molly. He warned you against going to New York and asking questions,” Gus muttered.
“When has that ever deterred Molly in the past?” Sid grinned. “My thoughts are that if you don’t get to the bottom of this, then no one will. You have to prove beyond a doubt that the girl is not responsible.”
“Easier said than done,” I said. “I really don’t know what to do. I don’t like to leave Daniel and I expect he’ll be furious when he finds out.”
“So you’re going to sit back and watch them drag off a child to a mental institution, are you?” Sid demanded.
“You’re right. Somebody needs to find out more and the only way of doing that is to speak to people who know the family. And it would also be helpful if Dr. Birnbaum took a look at Kathleen. So I’ll go. But what on earth can I tell Daniel so that he’s not suspicious?”
“We’ll think of something,” Sid said. She stared out across the lawns. “Ah, there is one of the suspects right now, skulking through the bushes—now she’s bending down. Probably burying some evidence. Go and find out, Molly. The suspense is killing me.”
I could see a dark shape among the bushes. As I got closer I was surprised to find that it was Eliza. She was on her hands and knees.
“Hello,” I said. “What are you doing?”