Galore - Michael Crummey [33]
It had been years since she’d been troubled by the dreams that preceded Laz’s birth, the blood in the wake of that separation, but the memory was still visceral and immediate and she carried it with her over the Tolt Road. She went to the servant’s entrance at the back of the building and waited in the kitchen while the mistress was called. Selina beckoned for Devine’s Widow to follow her and they went down the hall to the parlor where Lieutenant Goudie and Reverend Waghorne were drinking brandy and smoking. Devine’s Widow turned to Selina when she saw the men there.
—I gave you my daughter, Selina whispered. —I can’t be any assistance to you in this matter. And she ushered Devine’s Widow in to sit with the other guests. —Master Sellers will be along directly, she said.
The vicar and Lieutenant Goudie were boarding at Selina’s House while the investigation was carried out and they fell into silence so suddenly the widow assumed they’d been discussing the case. She took a seat near the window and they all three waited for King-me to join them from the office. Selina clearly hadn’t told her husband who it was waiting on him and he stopped inside the door as he entered, startled to come face to face with the old woman.
Devine’s Widow looked up at him, then glanced around the room. —Just like old times, Master Sellers, she said.
King-me didn’t follow her meaning for a moment but he straightened when he saw it. A naval officer, a clergyman and Master Sellers facing her. Devine’s Widow put on trial half a century ago. She smiled her lopsided smile at him. It was the wrong way to begin the discussion she’d come for, but the configuration in the room was so unlikely she couldn’t resist.
—There’s no talking to be done where Judah is concerned, King-me said, guessing the reason for her visit.
—There’s no one saw him raise a hand to that soldier.
—There’s none will admit to seeing it, Reverend Waghorne said.
—You was there, Reverend, did you see it?
—My vantage point was not ideal, he said defensively.
—Judah had no part in killing that soldier, no more than Master Sellers’ grandson.
King-me turned to Lieutenant Goudie. —Pay no attention to this witch, he said.
Goudie was slouched against the arm of the chesterfield, combing a hand against the grain of a massive sideburn. He had a lazy Scots inflection that made him seem disinterested in life in general. —These soldiers, he said. —They’re sentimental men, understand. They’ll have blood for young Arscott. We might be able to do something for Judah Devine if someone could help us identify the Toucher lad.
Devine’s Widow waved a hand. —It was the soldier’s own knife killed him, people are saying.
—I’m not at liberty to discuss the details.
—He fell on his own knife trying to get at the dog is what happened and everyone knows it for the truth, whatever else they might be telling you.
The officer nodded thoughtfully a moment. —There was no Toucher involved, was there.
Reverend Waghorne stared at Goudie. —I don’t follow, Lieutenant.
—We can’t distinguish the Toucher in question from his brothers, Goudie said slowly, still piecing it together. —And there’d be hell to pay if we hang all three. So. It would appear that witnesses named a man they were reasonably sure would not be convicted.
—Judah has no family you’ll have to answer to, the widow said. —That’s the only reason he’s locked up now. He got no one belonged to him.
—He has you, Missus, King-me said without meeting her eyes.
She stared at Sellers standing stock-still at the door, as if on guard. —How long before you leave, Lieutenant? the widow asked.
—We’ve delayed the Spurriers vessel a fortnight already, he said. —We’ll have to sail within the next day or so.
She stood abruptly and left then, not waiting to be shown the