Free The Mermaid in the Basement by Gilbert Morris Page B

doing.”
    “We also found this in your room, hidden behind a drawer in your armoire,” Grant said. He held up the leather bag, opened it, and poured out some of the jewels. “You recognise these?”
    “No,” Clive gasped, “I don’t!”
    “They were in your armoire,” Grant said relentlessly.
    “I’m afraid they’re the jewels that were stolen from Miss Fairfield’s apartment,”Winters said.
    Suddenly Septimus said, “Wait, let me see that.”
    “See what, sir?”
    “Those jewels. Let me see them.”
    Grant looked at Winters, who shrugged and nodded. Grant poured out the jewels on top of the library table, and at once Septimus reached out and said, “This is my wife’s ring.”
    “Your wife’s ring? Are you certain, Mr. Newton?”Winters said.
    “Yes, it’s a family heirloom.”
    “How do you account for that, Mr. Newton?”Winters asked Clive.
    “I gave that ring to Miss Fairfield as a gift.”
    “It was your personal possession?” Grant demanded.
    “Actually, it belonged to the family.”
    “Did you give permission for your son to give this ring to Kate Fairfield, sir?” Winters put the question to Septimus, but he knew the answer before the older man spoke.
    Septimus hesitated but answered truthfully, “I’m afraid not.”
    “So you stole the ring and gave it to Miss Fairfield?” Grant spoke harshly.
    Everyone in the room saw the guilt on Clive’s face. He tried to speak, and his voice was unsteady when he replied, “All right, I took the ring—but I didn’t kill her.”
    “We have many witnesses who will testify that you demanded the ring back.When she refused to give it to you, you made threats. You said you’d kill her if she refused to give the ring back.”
    Clive’s face was pale, and his hands trembled as he said, “I was drinking—but I didn’t kill her.”
    Serafina went to Clive and put her arms around him. He was the picture of a guilty man, and the evidence was overwhelming—but she was a loyal woman. Clive had accused her of having no feelings, but he’d been wrong about that. As she held him, a well of compassion opened up, and she whispered, “Clive, it will be all right.”
    Septimus came then and put his hands on his son’s shoulders. His voice was thin and filled with uncertainty as he said, “Of course it will be all right, Son.”
    Silence fell across the room, and finally Superintendent Winters took a deep breath. Regret touched his voice and was in his face as he said, “Clive Newton, I place you under arrest. The charge is suspicion of murder.” Winters turned and faced Serafina. “I’m sorry,Viscountess.”His eyes went to Septimus, who seemed stricken dumb. “I’m sorry, indeed, Mr. Newton.”
    “I didn’t do it!” Clive whispered. “I swear I didn’t do it!”
    “You’ll have a chance to prove that,” Grant said. “Take him away, Sergeant Kenzie.”
    Kenzie came to stand beside Clive.As he did, however, Serafina reached up and put her hands on Clive’s cheeks. “I know you didn’t do it, Clive.”
    “I didn’t, Serafina. I swear! I’ve done a lot of things wrong, but I did not kill anyone.”
    “You’ll have to go with them,” Serafina whispered, “but I promise you I’ll find the real murderer. I’ll find the one who killed that woman.”
    Kenzie held pressure on to Clive’s arm firmly as Clive stumbled out the door.
    Grant followed, but Superintendent Winters stopped and turned to face them. “I regret very much that this has come to you, Mr. Newton. Viscountess, I have heard your reputation of being a woman of great determination. I’ve even heard the story about how you solved the robbery at Sir Osric Wallace’s house, but I strongly advise you not to get involved with police business.”
    Serafina raised her head, and her eyes flashed. “And I promise you, Superintendent, I’m going to do everything I can to bring the real murderer to justice.”
    Winters shook his head but said no more. He turned and left the