glared again at the policemen. “You need not torment this good woman anymore on the worst day of her life. Such a small mercy is not beyond you, I hope?”
Silence.
Inspector Brighton laughed, the sound soft yet unpleasant. “You are right, Mrs. Cousins. Good night, ladies. Mrs. Treadles, I will see you first thing tomorrow.”
* * *
“They are gone,” said Mrs. Cousins, who had disappeared from view. She must be listening at the door.
Mrs. Treadles exhaled audibly. “Thank you, Eleanor. Thank goodness you came. I don’t think I could have taken another minute of that interrogation.”
Mrs. Cousins returned to the narrow slice of the drawing room visible in the private parlor’s mirror. “I’m glad I was able to do something. At least have some rest before you must face the police again.”
Mrs. Treadles shook her head. “I don’t know how I shall sleep.”
“So is it all true, what happened?”
“Eleanor, please don’t believe what the papers are trying to imply about Mr. Sullivan and myself.”
Mrs. Cousins tsked. “Why would I? I know the kind of man he was.”
“I wish I’d listened to you better,” said Mrs. Treadles weakly. “You don’t believe Robert did it, do you?”
Mrs. Cousins rolled her eyes. “No. Even though I still don’t think you should have married your Inspector Treadles, he never would have made such a hash of things if he really wanted to do away with Mr. Sullivan.”
“Thank you. And please don’t say that in front of him—the first part, that is.”
“I make no promises. Unconscionable, the way he didn’t even ask you a single question about Cousins for that long.”
“Eleanor—”
“I know. I know now is not a good time to carry on a grudge against your husband.”
Mrs. Treadles took her sister-in-law’s hands in her own. “No, it’s not just that, Eleanor. I hadn’t wanted to tell you too much because I knew how Robert would feel, having private particulars of his life disseminated. But ever since he came back from Stern Hollow, he’s been trying to change for the better. He took over menu planning and looked after most of the details when we invited the Longsteads for dinner. He had a glass of whisky waiting for me every evening, when I came back from work. He even invited me to join the policemen’s caroling this Christmas. So please, please, don’t think so badly of him!
“In fact, if anyone’s at fault, it’s me. I should have told him about Mr. Sullivan. But I was so afraid. Finally things were lovely again at home and I was just so afraid it would all go wrong again.”
“Stop blaming yourself or I’ll hate him again.”
Mrs. Treadles wiped the corners of her eyes with the heels of her hands. “Please don’t hate him. He really has been very sweet.”
Mrs. Cousins sighed. “I’m glad he’s seen the light—if that is indeed the case—even though he should never have been that blind to begin with.”
She pulled Mrs. Treadles from her chair. “Now come, you look like you haven’t slept for days. Let me take you to your bedroom. I’ll tell Mrs. Graycott to bring some supper. After you eat, we’ll count out a few drops of laudanum for you. Don’t worry, I’ll err on the side of caution. You’ll be fully alert in the morning for your next interview with this evil-looking Inspector Brighton.”
“All right,” acquiesced Mrs. Treadles. “Thank you, Eleanor.”
“Speak nothing of it. You did the same for me when your brother—” Mrs. Cousins paused. “Never mind that. Let’s go.”
Charlotte went to the door of the private parlor. From where she stood, she could see the two women ascend, Mrs. Treadles leaning on her sister-in-law. Not long after, she heard Mrs. Cousins speak to Mrs. Graycott, who must have gone up the service stairs after having been summoned.
Mrs. Cousins, after asking for a plate of supper for Mrs. Treadles, concluded with, “And also have the staff wait in the servants’ hall for me. I will speak to them after I’ve seen to your mistress.”
“Yes, mum,” murmured Mrs. Graycott, and left.
Charlotte waited another minute, then slipped down the way she’d come. She found Mrs. Graycott in the basement, giving directions to a maid.
“You offer the supper plate to the mistress and the tea tray to Mrs. Cousins. And then you leave straight away. You don’t look at anyone or anything, you understand?”
“Yes, Mrs. Graycott.”
“Good girl. Now go.” She turned around and saw Charlotte. “Ah, Miss Holmes. I’m sorry you didn’t get to see Mrs. Treadles.”
“That’s all right. I will see her