A/N: As always, thank you for your kind comments, reviews, and requests. I cannot believe I've been writing what was originally a little, cheeky one-shot for almost a year now. Your words have been the ones that push me to continue, and I thank you for each and every one. Now, this chapter takes a bit of a turn, but in order to get to Series 3, I need to push on through. Hopefully it will result in some big payoffs!
Store Cupboard Spies - Chapter 38
Beryl Patmore followed Elsie Hughes into her sitting room looking like the cat that got the cream. "How is Mister Carson," the cook asked with a lilt, putting just a bit too much emphasis on the man's title for comfort as Elsie closed the door. Elsie turned around and eyed the woman warily. What exactly did she know, and how exactly had she come to discover it? Surely she wasn't as acutely observant as Anna. Best go for a gentle approach.
"Oh, you know Mister Carson. Appearance is everything," she said, stiffening up and raising her chin a bit. "He'd sooner be missing a limb than a button in that dining room." She waved a dismissive hand and rolled her eyes.
They shared a laugh at the thought. Elsie had to admit, this eased interaction with a woman of her own age and stature was infinitely more welcomed than their normal state of feuding and grousing over the key to the store cupboard and what was to be ordered when.
"Now, what did you want to see me about," Beryl asked. "Daisy's getting on at tarts, but I'd rather keep an eye out so as we don't lose the kitchen in its entirety. The fire brigade can only do so much, you know."
Elsie swallowed hard. How exactly was she supposed to ask her knowledge of the situation? Just as she had made up her mind, a loud knock fell upon the door.
"Come in," Elsie choked out, a bit thrown by the interruption.
"I'm so sorry Mrs. Hughes, but there are some men here to see you. I think it might be about Mr. Bates," Anna said, white as a sheet.
"I'd best be going then," Beryl said, turning to make her exit.
"No, thank you. I'd rather you stay," she said to the cook as she motioned Anna to bring the visitors in. "I dare say that if this does concern John Bates, whatever you need to discuss with me can, and should, be witnessed," she said mindfully to the two smartly dressed men who entered her parlour behind Anna.
"I am Ashleigh Barnes, clerk of the court. This is Constable Baker," he said gesturing towards the second gentleman. "I am here to notify you, Elsie Hughes, and a Miss Sarah O'Brien, that you have hereby been summoned as a witness for the prosecution in the case against John Bates."
"Anna, please go and fetch Miss O'Brien," Elsie said as she placed a gentle hand onto Anna's back, steering her towards the door by her elbow. Anna looked at her pleadingly. "Now please," she added stepping just over the threshold with her before whispering, "You know that I will inform you of anything of importance that transpires here. I can promise you that." Anna nodded, blinking fiercely as she rushed off down the corridor.
"Now," she said as she turned back towards Beryl and the two men standing in the middle of the room. "I do so hope that it is within my rights to inquire why in heaven's name I would be asked to testify on behalf of the prosecution in this case." Beryl noted the quiet strength in Elsie's tone and overall demeanor, wishing she could cheer her on out loud. This whole business with Mr. Bates being arrested and held for his former missus' murder had turned the entire house upside down and had irrevocably destroyed their Anna over the last few months; this only added a whole new level of stress to the matter.
"It is of our belief that you may hold key information which could strengthen the case against John Bates," Mr. Barnes answered. "In cases such as these, any information which may point to implication must be taken seriously, investigated and brought to light. I do hope you understand our position."
"Oh, I understand it alright," Elsie said, "But I have no clearer understanding of what it is that you think that I can offer you."
"It has come to our attention that you may have overheard a private conversation between the victim and her husband... a particularly threatening conversation."
"And from whom may I ask did you collect this assumption," Elsie challenged.
"I am afraid that our informant was anonymous," Constable Baker said quietly as he handed Elsie a rather crumpled letter.
The only soul she had told about overhearing the conversation that took Mr. Bates away from Anna was Charles. She closed her eyes in brief prayer before opening them to read the contents of the letter and felt her chest open in relief when she found that she did not recognize the handwriting. In her heart, she knew that Charles was not capable of revealing such information no matter what the circumstances, though his head for propriety sometimes served to lead him astray.
Someone in this house had overheard her. Nothing surprising, to be sure.
Anna returned with Sarah O'Brien in tow. "I am quite busy, I assure you Mrs. Hughes," O'Brien started barking but stilled as she saw the men standing in the room. "Beg pardon."
"Miss Sarah O'Brien," Mr. Barnes asked in her direction.
O'Brien nodded. She had seen enough in her lifetime to recognize when trouble had come knocking at her door.
"We are here to inform you, along with Mrs. Hughes here, that you will be required to appear and testify in front of the magistrate during the trial of John Bates."
"Me? But I know nothin'" O'Brien scoffed.
"This letter would beg to differ," Mrs. Hughes said tersely as she handed the crumpled paper to O'Brien.
Sarah ran a hand over the wrinkles, not caring to smooth them away as much as the script she had not seen often but had come to recognize all too well.
Why?
How lost of a soul could one be to write the fate of another?
She swallowed hard as she worked to erase any trace of knowledge from her face. "I fail to see how this proves either of us know anything."
"We take any suggestion of implication quite seriously Miss O'Brien," Mr. Barnes answered plainly. "You will receive further details through the post in the days leading up to the trial," he continued. "Until then, we will bid you good day. We will see ourselves out."
"No need," spat out O'Brien, thankful for the excuse to release herself from the other women's company to deal with this on her own. "Come with me then."
As the three left the room, Anna's face fell as Elsie sank back against her desk. She would not break. Not in front of her fragile girl.
"What now," Anna managed through hitched breath.
"Now, we pray," Beryl said as she threw an arm over the girl's shoulders and stared sympathetically at Elsie.