CH 11

Evan’s question was like a heavy hammer hitting Dr. Hester’s face. His face stiffened for a moment before he showed a look of embarrassment, “You know, last time, what happened with Lord Edward. She didn’t have the courage to face Duke Wilson again.”

Evan then realised that what he did last time actually caused such a series of reactions.

“Didn’t anyone else sneak back during the display?” Evan continued asking.

“Yes, yes, but none of them have anything to do with John, only Alia did….” Doctor Hester was almost at a loss for words.

Evan sighed, “Is there really no problem with your estimated time of death?”

Doctor Hester was stunned when he heard this. Evan’s expression changed and he quickly asked, “Is there anything wrong with it?”

Doctor Hester hesitated for a moment, and said with a somewhat embarrassed look, “Actually, in the beginning, I estimated the time of death to be between 10 pm and 11 pm that night, that is, within the period after the fireworks display but….”

“But what?” Evan frowned nervously.

“But when I checked the body at the time, I found that there was a fire lit in John’s room. You know John died in front of the fireplace. If the indoor temperature is too high, it will affect the changes of the body. So, according to the lit stove, the time of John’s death was moved back by an hour, and this is….” Doctor Hester had a look of struggle and embarrassment.

Evan took a deep breath when he heard this and frowned, “You are too confused. How can you be so casual in the handling of such an important news? That stove might have been left by the murderer to hide some clues from people’s eyes. You should have reported this to the sheriff so he could investigate it. Instead, you made the decision yourself, didn’t you?”

Doctor Hester was ashamed, “I…I just thought….”

“You’ve read too many mystery novels. There are some things that are as simple as they look on the surface. Doctor Hester, I still recommend that you do another autopsy and examination of the body and this time, don’t make such decisions yourself.” Evan’s voice was a little stern.

Doctor Hester seemed like he had grabbed a life-saving straw and he nodded immediately, “You’re right. It was the error I made that led to this result. I will go and explain to Sheriff Chandler.”

Evan nodded, but he suddenly thought of another question. “By the way, Doctor Hester,” he grabbed the doctor’s arm, “I want to ask. The fact that Alia went to see John, how did you come to know about it?”

Dr. Hester opened his mouth wide, stunned for a moment and finally said, “Uh….Yesterday, someone sent an anonymous letter to Sheriff Chandler’s house saying that Alia had been seen visiting John’s house that night.”

Evan’s lips curled slightly when he heard this. Since someone saw this, it meant that another person had been at Woolwich Manor that night.

Doctor Hester left in a hurry, but Evan was completely quiet. This matter was so twisted and bizarre, it seems like there were still some big problems somewhere.

Doctor Hester came back in the afternoon and this time, he was much more relaxed than he was in the morning. He took Evan’s hand in gratitude, “Reverend Bruce, thanks to your guidance, Sheriff Chandler has gone back to investigate this matter. The sheriff has also sent the ashes from the fireplace to Scotland Yard for inspection. I believe that Alia’s matter will be over soon.”

Evan smiled warmly, nodding his head, “That’s good.”

Seeing Doctor Hester’s relieved looked, Evan’s expression changed slightly and he asked, “Then, who exposed Miss Alia at that time? Have you now found out?”

Doctor Hester’s look changed to that of anger when he heard this, “I really don’t know who can be so despicable and shameless. Sheriff Chandler has also sent someone to look for this person but the person couldn’t be found. I guess it must be the one who killed John, and is trying to frame poor Alia.”

Regardless of Doctor Hester’s inferences, this person is certainly an important part of the case.

“Don’t get excited yet. Alia’s matter is not over yet, but don’t worry about it.” Evan comforted him with a few words. He suddenly got an idea. Since this matter is so confusing, why can’t he just make it a little more complicated.

Evan sent Doctor Hester away but he went to see Sheriff Chandler. This matter must be resolved as soon as possible so that everything can get back on track, otherwise he doesn’t know what will happen.

Sheriff Chandler has been very busy lately, when he saw Evan, his expression wasn’t very good.

“Reverend Bruce, you’re here at the wrong time.” Sheriff Chandler had a piece of bread in his mouth and some documents in his hand. Everyone in the police station was busy and there was noise everywhere. Evan, who was dressed meticulously in a priest’s robe, looked out of place.

With a smile, Evan took the documents from his hand and said warmly, “I’m here to see you today for some business. I have a way to help you find the person who wrote the anonymous letter. Would you like to try it?”

Sheriff Chandler frowned, “First, Doctor Hester pretended to be a police detective causing a delay in the case, now what do you want to do?”

His words were a bit ugly and Evan was surprised when he heard it, “No, it doesn’t matter, it’s not really important. It’s just my opinion that since this person deliberately sent an anonymous letter to expose Miss Alia, then I’m afraid that this person not only has a grudge against Miss Alia but is also involved in the matter. If Miss Alia were to be temporarily released, this person won’t be able to sit still.”

Sheriff Chandler’s eyes flashed with when he heard this. He took the documents from Evan, smiling, he said, “My good Reverend, please have a seat.”

Smiling, Evan sat down. Sheriff Chandler randomly placed the documents on the table and he turned to look around the office with excitement. “This method is okay but there are still some hidden dangers.”

“Jack!” Sheriff Chandler shouted out into the office.

A 17 or 18 year old police officer came in, “Are you looking for me?”

“You go to Jim and Pete, the three of you will follow Miss Alia from today, don’t let her out of your sight.” Sheriff Chandler commanded resolutely.

Jack looked at the sheriff in confusion, “Isn’t that the lady in the prison cell?”

Sheriff Chandler gave the officer a heavy pat on the shoulder and said with a smile, “Not anymore, we’re going to release her.”

(t/n – the author used ‘let her out’ here but to me, it sounds like what you’d say when you want to let an animal out of its cage)

“Release her?” The officer was even more confused.

“Okay, enough with the nonsense, go and do your job.” Sheriff Chandler kicked him and the frightened officer immediately ran out.

As he watched the young officer run out, Sheriff Chandler laughed happily. Evan, who was watching, twitched the corners of his mouth.

After Sheriff Chandler gave the order for these thing to be done, he turned to look at Evan with excitement, “Reverend Bruce, you’re really my lucky star. If this matter is successful, I will never forget your help.”

Evan just waved his hand when he heard this, “Forget it, I don’t want anyone to be wronged in this, I just hope that God won’t blame me for my lies.”

Laughing, Sheriff Chandler grabbed onto Evan’s hands, “Don’t worry! You’re bringing the bad guys to justice and God will be grateful to you.”

Evan could only smile bitterly in response to Sheriff Chandler’s words.

This time, Sheriff Chandler personally sent outside the police station and he didn’t go back until Evan had turned the corner.

Evan didn’t take a carriage this time. He walked along the path to towards his house. If his speculations are correct, he probably already knows who exposed Alia but there’s no evidence that the person did it either. He just hopes that his plan will work and the person will be caught so that they can know what really happened that night in Woolwich Manor.

By the time Evan returned to the parsonage, it was already dark. Tom was waiting at the door and when he saw him coming from a distance, he hurried over to meet him.

“Reverend Bruce, the duke is here!” Tom looked excited.

Evan was quite surprised that the duke came.

Finally! A short chapter. I didn’t think I’d finish translating this chapter so quickly. It usually takes me a few hours to finish one, mixed with some procrastinating here and there