I
'Well , what've you found out , Miss Lavingham ?'said Sarah Brown.
' Nothing just yet. But I have to ask you something. You were ten years old , weren't you ? I mean , that is the age where children start understanding things . I myself was like that . So , were you conscious about what was going on ? Anything you can remember at all ?'
'Well , I wasn't that kind . I mean , not the kind to understand things . I was playful and wild and was seldom at home , so I don't really remember anything. But I do remember the day before the tragedy , when Lucy was talking to me . She was asking me to go to some sort of school in London . I refused at first , but then she told me that it was all for my good . Somehow she managed to persuade me , and I agreed to go . But I don't remember anything else .'
'Very well . Honestly Miss Brown , I would like to know your brother's personality . I understand that you were only ten years old at the time but you were conscious about his personality, weren't you? So , can you illustrate as to the personality of your brother ?' said she .
'Well , he was good tempered , and he never yelled at me . I know he dated a lot of girls but they were just temporary. Lucinda didn't like that very much . He got very serious with one girl , I remember her name , because I had met her once. She was called Vanessa . Actually I found out that she had also been questioned, but her answers weren't of much use to the police . He was actually very fond of her . They dated quite often . They had their ups and downs , but they were absolutely crazy about each other .'
'What was her surname ?'
'Must've been Tucker . Or Treadway . One of them , I think .'
'I see . Tell me more .'
'My brother was quite the venturing type of man , and he never listened to our foster parents . Never . Lucinda got along well with them , and once she became twenty she thought of living elsewhere. But Julian revolted against it and I supported him . She became very rich , you know . Our parents who died in an accident had left a lot of money to Lucinda. Julian was sort of jealous, I suppose.'
'I have some information for you . Your parents didn't die in an accident.'
'What do you mean ?'
'They were killed by their enemies. A bomb in the car .'
Sarah Brown looked shocked. She had words stuffed in her mouth but wasn't able to vomit it out .
'But-but who ?'
'We don't know . But I think your sister knew, she was old enough to understand.'
'Maybe . But she wasn't vindictive .'
'Of course ! She wouldn't do it violently, but ruin the lives of the people who killed your parents. That is why she was killed!'
'So you believe Julian didn't kill my sister!'
'It fits ! But I have to confirm . I need to know the condition of the Whittekar house .'
'Well , it's called the Whittekar Manor , and it hasn't been touched since the tragedy . My foster parents left the house as well after I was sent to my Aunt's in Chicago.'
'Hasn't been touched ? You mean everything is still in place ?'
'Absolutely.'
'Well , thank you, Miss Brown .'
II
Inspector Leese sat at her desk , bored . Charlotte Lavingham entered the station.
'Well , well , if it isn't the greatest detective in the world!'said she . 'What do you want?'
'I'd like you to get me the keys of the Whittekar Manor in Belgravia .'said Lavingham .
'Belgravia? I don't really like that place.'
'I don't care . I want the keys .'
'Why do you want to go in there ? That place is very dusty and hasn't been touched for ten years.'
'My case depends upon it . I must confirm something.'
'I think I must accompany you. You need it .'
'Do I have a choice?'
'I don't think so .'
'Never mind .'
'Well , I suppose the Whittekars have the keys .'
'But they sold it ten years ago . After the tragedy .'
'Well , I'll have to enquire a little. As much as you hate it , you're gonna have to wait .'
Lavingham scoffed . Later on , Leese somehow managed to nick the keys .
III
The Whittekar Manor was a huge house, and quite modern . It was probably made in the early two-thousands .
'Hard to believe a tragedy happened in this peaceful looking house.'said Leese .
'Not at all .'said Lavingham . She snatched the keys and let herself in .
'I don't think you ought to disturb anything . It's ten years old !'said Leese .
'Ten years is a very short time .'said she . She went to the room where Lucinda was killed , such directed by Leese .
The room was quite nice . It looked quite modern ; the type of room any girl would want , except Charlotte Lavingham .
There was a desk on the right from the door, and it had been covered with white sheets . Lavingham removed the sheets .
'That's where Lucinda Brown was killed.'said Leese . 'Shot on the right temple.'
'Hmm . This room has no fireplace.'murmured Lavingham .
'Well , it has heaters . Why're you asking ? It's not chilly.'
'Course not .'said she . She went around the room . She bent over the ground and started observing it with her magnifying glass . 'Lucky this place hasn't been touched for years and the evidence is still showing itself.'
She got up and smiled . Now she steadily observed the desk . There was nothing but a hard based book , a pen and a sheet of paper lying on the desk .
'Were you alive at this time ?'said Lavingham . Leese wasn't surprised at this question.
'I was a young adult.'answered Leese .
'Right . Do you remember anything from this case ?'
'Well , I was still studying at that time . I can only recall the facts of this case .'
'Boring . Anything else ?'
'Well , no .'
'What's your opinion ? Julian being innocent or guilty?'
'I think he must be guilty. The facts prove him guilty.'said Leese.
Lavingham went towards the window , opened it and looked outside .
'Julian's innocent.'said Charlotte Lavingham . Leese was surprised.
'How ?'she asked .
'I'll explain later on . It's quite difficult to understand.'
'So I see .'
'For amateurs .'
'You prat .'said Leese , and slapped Lavingham . She laughed .
'I need to know something else . The addresses of the five people who were questioned, those are the Whittekars , the cook Altheda Thompson , the maid Wendy , and the girl Vanessa Tucker or Treadway . I will question them one by one and get to know what they think about the case and what they were doing .'
'As you please .'
YOU ARE READING
Ten Years Ago
Mystery / Thriller" A case of murder is always a case of murder whether it was left solved or unsolved ." Young and sophisticated Sarah Brown approaches a young female sleuth to solve a murder case in which her brother was accused of murdering his older sister . Sara...
