thirty-five

Kevin kept his face serious, but I caught a wink aimed in my direction.

“I suppose thee could call it under control,” I said. “These are thy culprits. Lyda just confessed to forcing Elbridge to kill Rowena.” I took in a deep breath and realized my head had stopped pounding, perhaps from the relief of the police taking over this dangerous situation. “If thee examines the handkerchief on the table there, thee will see it matches the one from under Rowena’s body.”

“Anyone can own a rag like that,” Lyda shouted. “Rose, you must fetch me my wrapper.” Lyda pointed to the armoire. “I can’t be indecent with policemen in the room.” She scooted her legs back under the covers.

She had the nerve ordering me around, but I complied. It might be the last act of kindness anyone ever did for her. When I opened the door of the cupboard, the scent of violet flooded my nostrils. I sniffed as I narrowed my eyes and stared at the hanging dresses without seeing them.

“What are you waiting for, Rose?” Lyda called.

I grabbed the wrapper and shut the door. Lyda donned the garment. “Now I’d like my baby.” She held out her arms, but Annie only shook her head and took a step backward.

Kevin approached Lyda. “Mrs. Osgood,” he began. “Where was your husband Saturday night between dusk and approximately five o’clock in the morning?”

“Why, he was right here with me, Officer. Weren’t you, dear?”

Elbridge kept his eyes on the floor in front of him and nodded.

“Lyda, on Monday thee told me Rowena had been bashed in the head,” I said. “Thee had no way of knowing the method of death. Am I right, Kevin?”

“Correct. You, Miss Rose, were the only person outside of the police to see it. And we made quite sure not to let the fact slip out to the newspapers.”

“Why, I heard it somewhere,” Lyda scoffed, tossing her head. “The news must have gotten around town. I think the maid told me.”

“I don’t believe so.” I turned to Kevin. “The armoire is filled with the scent of violet. It was what I smelled on the handkerchief when I first picked it up, but the smell was faint from being out all night and I couldn’t place it.”

“I’m not the only lady who wears violet!” She again made as if to climb out of bed but Kevin set his hand firmly on her shoulder.

“Lyda, thee helped kill Rowena,” I said.

“Mrs. Osgood had nothing to do with it,” Elbridge blustered. “She was home the whole night!”

“No, she wasn’t.” I continued. “Lyda, I smelled the scent of violet when I found Rowena’s body. It is thy perfume.”

“Rowena must have fancied the same aroma,” she insisted.

I smiled sadly. “Frannie Eisenman said Rowena had a severe sneezing reaction to scents. No, it was thee, luring her with the note, pushing Elbridge to kill her.” I gazed at Kevin. “I realized a little while ago the penmanship on the note Lyda wrote summoning me to her birth matched the handwriting on the note.” I drew the note the driver had brought me out of my pocket. “Kevin, I think if thee compares the writing on this note and the ink on the one summoning me to the carriage house with the note found at the body, they will all match.”

He nodded approvingly.

“Oh, and the cricket bat?” I pointed to where it lay in the corner. “If thee examines it well, I believe thee might find traces of Rowena’s blood, as well as my own, and possibly strands of our hair, unless Elbridge or Lyda scrubbed it well clean.”

“Now isn’t that interesting? The murder weapon itself.” Kevin rubbed his hands together. “Gilbert, secure the bat, will you?”

Elbridge sank his head into his bound hands with a groan as Guy lifted the bat and turned it over and over, examining it.

I looked at Lyda again. “Thee couldn’t stand the fact that Rowena was given thy husband’s job.”

“Well, it was neither fair nor right. And you don’t have proof of anything. This absurdity has gone on too long. Give me my baby.” She extended her arms toward Annie again.

I shook my head and Annie half turned away, protecting the child with her arms. Kevin took the note and thanked me.

He addressed Lyda. “We interviewed a witness who placed you both, Mr. and Mrs. Osgood, at the scene of the crime Saturday evening at nine o’clock.” Kevin laid a hand on Elbridge’s shoulder. “Elbridge Osgood, you are under arrest for the murder of Mrs. Oscar Felch.” Elbridge cast an anguished look at his wife.

I handed Kevin my cord scissors. Elbridge didn’t struggle as an officer cut loose his feet, helped him up, and ushered him out.

Kevin reached down and lightly touched Lyda’s shoulder. She twisted away but couldn’t evade his touch. “Lyda Osgood, you are under arrest as an accessory to the murder of Mrs. Oscar Felch. I’ll call for a police matron to stay with you until you are recovered enough to be transported to the jail. And until she arrives, Officer Gilbert will guard you. We will find someone to care for the wee one.”

“You can’t do that!” She gazed at her baby with stricken eyes, as if only now realizing the impact of her crime. She brought her hand to her mouth as tears seeped from her eyes.

“Indeed I can, Mrs. Felch. It’s the law.” He instructed the other officer to call for the matron. Kevin turned to me. “Thank you,” he whispered.

I acknowledged his appreciation with a frown. I was getting better at detecting, true. I gazed at the sweet bundle in Annie’s arms. The newborn and her older brothers, nearly babies themselves, would now be no different than orphans due to the desperate, foolish actions of their parents. I’d helped justice to be served, but at a tragic cost. Perhaps I should stick to midwifery from now on.