What Reveals: Part Two

The other constable's eyes darted back and forth from Matilda to Hugh. He hesitated at the doorway, overwhelmed by the enormity of the room, the high ceiling and opulent crystal chandelier, the tremendous volume of books lining the walls. Never before had he been in such a room. Finally, he managed to speak. "Hmm, sorry for the intrusion," he said in a respectful tone, almost sounding apologetic.

The gruff constable snapped his body to attention, then bellowed, "Gregory, what have I told you about apologizing!"

Hugh's lips twitched in amusement. He attempted to acknowledge the rough constable, but remained sitting. "Henry, what a pleasant surprise!"

"Arise to the point, Larkin." Constable Henry directed his remarks to Hugh. His face now almost glowed red from the anger and exertion. "You are aware why we are here. Do not test my patience, Sir!"

"Matilda was feeling faint, so I thought that my wife's best interest was to bring her home."

"Oh, you did, did you!" Constable Henry angrily spat out the words. "Then why isn't she in bed resting?" The corner of Constable Henry's lip quivered upward, baring his teeth. He eyed the couple suspiciously, not ready to accept the explanation offered.

Hugh shrugged but continued, refusing to be intimidated. "Matilda has been resting. She is now more relaxed."

Constable Henry rolled his eyes, still not sure he should accept the casual explanation Hugh had offered. But after checking his timepiece again, he decided to move on. "When and where did you receive the envelope?"

Matilda made an attempt to face the constable as she answered. "This afternoon, Sir, some time after our church service, at the park on the footbridge." After she spoke, Matilda's whole body began to shake, so unnerved was she to revisit the unholy events of the day again. She reached her hand out to Hugh for support.

Observing the unsteady posture of his obviously distraught wife, Hugh immediately grabbed her hand and softly kissed her knuckles.

Constable Henry remained unimpressed at the emotional display and continued. "Pray tell who delivered this, Ma'am!" Constable Henry rolled his feet forward, raising up his overly-abundant belly. He was the person in control and wanted the couple to know it.

"A man in black." Matilda responded, barely audible.

Hugh carefully stood up, still holding Matilda's hand. He walked protectively in front of her. They momentarily caught eye contact, gazing at each other intensely.

"So you don't know the identity of who delivered it?" Constable Henry attempted to interrupt their moment. He puffed out his chest, drawing in a long, deep breath. Then he slowly released it, again displaying that oversized belly. "So, how tall was this mysterious man, would you say?"

Matilda thought for a moment, then replied, "Well, I do not know. It did not occur to me at the time, but he was all hunched over his cane, and his cloak touched the top of his boots. It would be impossible for me to even hazard a guess."

"What did you do after you received the envelope?" Constable Gregory respectfully chimed in.

"I did not 'receive' it. I rather located it on the bridge planks after he passed." She felt compelled to correct the question. Hugh's influence, she thought. "As to what I did after I located it, that is rather embarrassing. I fainted." Matilda's cheeks blushed in a light rosy hue as she delivered her confession.

Constable Henry mumbled under his breath and then spoke up. "Well, considering the oddity of this, is there anything you would like to add?"

"Yes." Matilda broke eye contact with Hugh, shifting her attention to the constable. "Yes. I do believe the ring belongs to Beatrice Peters."

Constable Henry took a massive gulp of air. "You mean I have to deal with that poor sap. He has been at the jailhouse every night since his wife up and left him. Would you mind coming back to the jailhouse with us?" Now that he needed their personal assistance, his tone suddenly became less combative.

"Of course, the Peters are our good friends." Hugh and Matilda spoke up at the same time.

"Good." Constables Henry and Gregory took their leave, heading back out into the grand foyer, their shoes tip-tapping across the wooden floor. Gregory tripped over his own feet as he careened his neck in an effort to see up the grand staircase. Henry just shook his head, then grabbed Gregory by the arm to apply a strong yank. He practically pulled him out the door.

Matilda and Hugh informed their butler that they would be leaving.

The butler was still standing by the front entrance, having just let out the constables. He gathered their cloaks and asked, "Shall I fetch the carriage?"

"No, no," Hugh spoke, placing his hand up in a placating manner. "That will not be necessary. We will be fetching a ride with the constables."

"Very good then, Sir." The butler held the front door open for them to leave.

Matilda and Hugh heaved themselves into the constables' carriage. Both constables elected to ride on the driver's bench up front, giving the couple privacy inside the cab. Matilda was relieved not to have more questions thrown at her. Hugh held her close to him throughout the ride. Not a single word did they speak.

The carriage trotted through the town and came to a stop when they reached the jailhouse. Everyone disembarked.

Andrew Peters came running up to the carriage and greeted them, not bathed or shaved, with dark circles surrounding his sunken eyes. He kept blocking the constables' way. With tearful eyes, he opened his mouth, but no words actually came out, just a few incoherent sounds.

"Andrew!" Matilda called out to him.

Hugh walked over to Andrew and pulled the man back. Andrew immediately collapsed, crying. "My wife, my wife, where is she? Where is Beatrice? Why won't they do something? Why won't they form a search party?" Hugh dragged the desperate man inside, still making an effort to calm him down some.

Constable Henry pulled out the envelope and showed Andrew the contents.

Andrew went livid.

"Not very subtle," Hugh barked to the constable, attempting to support his close friend.

Constable Henry carefully removed a darkened, shriveled finger from the envelope. Gregory jumped back in shock, coughing and gagging.

"Is this your wife's?'"

"The ring is, not the finger."

Constable Henry began to shout, "Answer the question!"

With what little strength Andrew could muster, he narrowed his eyes and spoke slowly, "I said the ring is, but the finger is too thin, too sickly and the wrong color." He then dropped to his knees in a shaking mess. "At least that is what I would like to believe," he muttered.

Matilda glanced between Hugh, Andrew, and then the envelope. She slowly retreated, exiting the jailhouse. Keeping her back to the public street, Matilda pulled a handkerchief from her pocket and proceeded to use it vigorously.

Hugh followed her out, and he quickly flagged down a taxi carriage. He wrapped his arm around her, lifting her frail person into the carriage. He told the driver where to go, then jumped in beside her.

Again, they reached the gates to their manor home. Hugh paid the driver and guided Matilda to the door. Once inside, he escorted her up the stairs to their shared rooms.