“YOU ARE TELLING ME, Detective, that my son was murdered?”
Mrs. Aggett had gone so still she didn’t seem to be breathing.
“I’m afraid it appears that way, madam.”
“I don’t understand. Why? By whom?”
“I can’t say at the moment. We have not yet found the assailant.”
“You said he was in a laneway?”
“Yes. The entrance is off Chestnut Street. He was at the far end.”
“I don’t mean to sound like a parrot, Detective, but I don’t understand. What was Arthur doing in a laneway?”
“Most likely he was obeying a call of nature. By the look of things, his assailant came up behind him. We found some coins in his pocket that were not Canadian. Two English shillings and a French sou. Do you know why he had them in his possession?”
Mrs. Aggett looked at him blankly. “I have no idea. He certainly did not show them to me.”
Murdoch caught Madge’s eye. She stepped forward.
“Can I get you some tea, Mrs. Aggett?”
The other woman didn’t turn. “No tea, but a glass of water would be appreciated. My mouth has gone dry.”
Madge left at once.
“We should notify your son’s wife, Mrs. Aggett,” said Murdoch. “Can you tell me how to get in touch with her?”
“I have no desire to have her return, sir. She will only make matters worse, if that’s possible. She is due to come back tomorrow. That will be soon enough for her to get the news.”
Madge returned with a glass of water. She handed it to Mrs. Aggett and spoke very gently. “I understand how you feel, Mrs. Aggett, but is it fair to not impart this news at once?”
This suggestion seemed to bring some colour back into Mrs. Aggett’s cheeks. “Fair? She has never been fair to me. Why should I be fair to her? She will no doubt become completely hysterical and it will all be hot air. She will relish the attention.”
Rather bravely, Murdoch thought, Madge persisted.
“She was married to your son. She must have cared for him.”
The other woman’s mouth pursed. “Must she? You don’t have children, Miss Curnoe, otherwise you would understand. There is no love as powerful as that of a mother’s…and no loss as deep.” She looked at Murdoch. “When will I be able to bury my son, Detective?”
“In a few days. There will have to be an inquest, but usually the coroner acts quickly.”
Mrs. Aggett stood up. “I’d like to go home now. There are arrangements to be made.”
She swayed slightly and Madge took her elbow.
“Is there anybody we can fetch to be with you?” Madge asked.
“My neighbour is a good friend. If she is available I would rather like her company. She lost her only son last year at the Somme, so she will understand.”
Mrs. Aggett’s face was so grief-stricken Murdoch could hardly bear it.
“We will arrange for a motor car to take you home.”
“Thank you.”
She allowed Madge to guide her to the door. As she passed Murdoch, she bowed her head in acknowledgement.
“Thank you, Detective. You have been most kind.”
After they left, Murdoch went and stood over his chess board. Victory was within his grasp.
Madge returned.
“She’s gone. What on earth are we going to do about the daughter-in-law?”
“We’ll have to get in touch with the police in Mimico. They’ll need to track her down.”
“I only hope it’s not true that she’ll make matters worse.”
An image of the young woman he’d met only yesterday flashed into Murdoch’s mind.
“From what I’ve seen so far, I’m afraid that may prove to be the case.”