The Confession - Charles Todd [107]
He found the name of her husband in the marriage records and looked at his death date.
He had died in prison, just as the solicitor in Colchester had said.
If there was a child, he couldn’t find it.
Satisfied, he thanked the clerk who had been assisting him and left.
At the Yard, he went to a telephone, and after some effort on the part of the operator, he found the house in the Midlands where Mrs. Dunner had taken up another position. When he was put through to the number, a butler answered, and Rutledge identified himself before asking for Mrs. Dunner.
“I’m sorry, Inspector. Mrs. Dunner is no longer housekeeper here. She is now the housekeeper for Mr. and Mrs. Linton’s daughter, who lives in London.”
“Is she indeed?” Rutledge asked, relieved to be spared the long drive north.”I should like her direction, if you please.”
The butler told him, then inquired, “Is there any problem concerning Mrs. Dunner? She’s always been an exemplary employee.”
“Not at all. We are looking for information about a family she once worked for in Essex. We’re hoping she can help us locate other members of the staff at that time.”
The butler thanked him and rang off.
Rutledge looked at the address in his hand. Belvedere Place.
Cynthia Farraday hadn’t chosen a house at random when she was intent on eluding him. She had chosen the residence where Mrs. Dunner was employed. It was not surprising that the constable he’d spoken to hadn’t recognized Miss Farraday’s name. She didn’t live there and she wasn’t a regular visitor to the Linton family. Hamish was echoing his own thinking: Miss Farraday was too clever by far.
By the time he’d reached Belvedere Place, it was nearly the dinner hour, but he lifted the elegant knocker, and when a maid in a starched black uniform opened the door, he stated his business.
She hesitated, repeating “Inspector Rutledge? Of Scotland Yard? To see Mrs. Dunner?”
He was tired and felt an urge to ask if any of the silver had gone missing, but resisted the temptation. Instead he repeated what he’d told the butler in the Midlands.
“The family has only just gone in to dinner.” She looked over her shoulder, then said, “If you’ll come this way?”
She led him through to the servants’ quarters, and tapped on the door of the housekeeper’s small room. Mrs. Dunner was just finishing her accounts, and she looked up as the maid came in. She was tall and slim, her dark hair only beginning to show gray, although he thought she must be well into her fifties.
“What is it, Daisy?”
“An Inspector Rutledge from Scotland Yard to speak to you, Mrs. Dunner.”
“Thank you, Daisy. They will be looking for you in the kitchen, I think.”
The maid nodded and went away as Mrs. Dunner invited Rutledge into her room and shut the door behind him. “What has brought you to Belvedere Place, Inspector? Is there a problem with one of our staff?”
“Not at all,” he assured her. “It’s about the staff at River’s End. I’ve spoken to Nancy Brothers, and now to you.”
“How is Nancy?” she asked. “I had hoped to hear from her from time to time, but she’s never written to me.”
“I expect she’s been busy.”
“Yes, I’m sure. Does she have any children, do you know?”
“I don’t believe she has.”
“A pity. And now you have found me as well. What is it you need to know about River’s Edge? I believe the house has been closed since the war began. What interest does Scotland Yard have in it?”
But he thought she knew what he was about to ask her.
“You were there when Mrs. Russell disappeared?”
“I was. It was a terrible day. I don’t think I shall ever forget it.”
“What do you believe happened to her?”
“The most obvious conclusion was suicide, of course. But I could never reconcile myself to that. I found it hard to believe in murder, as well. Still, it seemed to be the most logical explanation.”
“Why murder?”
“Because Mrs. Russell wouldn’t have deserted her children. Yes, I know what was said about her belief that