A False Mirror - Charles Todd [117]
“How do you know it was Hamilton who left that bandage out there?” Mallory interjected. “Someone could have done it for him, to throw you off his scent. Then the question becomes, who would help him, knowing he’d killed Mrs. Granville and now Nan Weekes?”
Hamish said only, Mrs. Reston.
Rutledge took a deep breath. “It all comes down to the fact that if Hamilton’s dead, whoever killed him is still out there. Which brings us to the next problem. Why isn’t he satisfied now?”
Mallory’s tiredness dropped from him. “I hope you aren’t suggesting that he’s after Felicity? In God’s name, why? And why kill me? I’m the one who will hang, for Hamilton, for Mrs. Granville, and now for Nan. Kill me and the police will know I’m not guilty of any of this.” He looked from Bennett to Rutledge. “What worries me most is that Hamilton is on the loose and half demented. And if that’s the case, he’s a very dangerous man. I can tell you I’m not looking forward to nightfall, if that’s the case.”
“What about his injuries?” Bennett said. “And who was it attacked him on the strand?”
“He might not have been as badly injured as Dr. Granville thought,” Rutledge said, slowly. “But there’s someone who might have struck Hamilton down by the Mole, who might have come back to get rid of him after learning he wasn’t dead, and who could have a very good reason for wanting to get into this house.”
He told them about Stratton and the diaries.
But Bennett shook his head. “I can see this Stratton arguing with Mr. Hamilton Monday morning, and anger getting the best of him then. I don’t see him killing two other people over a book that’s not been written. And how did he get in and out of Hampton Regis that day without anyone seeing him? I don’t think that’s possible.” He turned back to Mallory. “As for tonight, there’s the safety of the station for you, Mr. Mallory,” Bennett offered. “Safe as houses. And as for Mrs. Hamilton, we’ll put her up in my spare bedroom until this is finished. No one will touch her there.”
Mallory shook his head. “I’ve told you from the start, to turn myself in is an admission of guilt.”
“You’re helping us with our inquiries,” Bennett pointed out.
“And Hamilton, if that’s who is behind these killings, vanishes abroad and I’m left holding the bag. I’ve got the revolver. I don’t want to kill him, but I can damned well knock him down. I’m a decent enough shot for that.”
“Here, there’s going to be no gunfire in this house, tonight or any other time,” Bennett corrected him.
“Yes, well, we’ll see what the night brings.”
“Let Putnam take Felicity with him. I’ll stay in her place and together we’ll keep watch,” Rutledge said to stop their bickering.
“She’s no safer in that rambling warren of rooms in the rectory than she is here. Can you picture Putnam defending her? No, she’ll remain in the house, even if I have to sleep across her threshold.”
“Think about it,” Rutledge urged him. “You’re out on your feet, man. And you’ve got my word that I won’t take any steps against you. But another pair of eyes and ears could be very welcome at three o’clock in the morning. The wind is rising out there. You’ll be wishing by then that you’d agreed.”
“I’m armed, and Hamilton isn’t,” Mallory retorted, stung by Rutledge’s suggestion.
“Yes, but remember that old children’s riddle about transporting geese from one side of the river to another, while making certain the fox isn’t left with the flock on either bank? If I’m here and it comes to shooting anyone, I’ll be your witness. Otherwise it’s your word against a dead man’s. A man you’re already accused of beating until he was unconscious.”
It was unarguable. And Rutledge could see that Mallory was torn. In the end, he went up the stairs to speak to Mrs. Hamilton and the rector.
When he returned, he said only, “She wants you to stay. The rector offered, but I’d as soon