30
A week or so passed, and the murder remained a topic of conversation in the village where most people seemed to consider Richard the obvious suspect, despite my assurances that Adam had seen his mother alive and well and living in London.
‘Of course, he’s going to say that, isn’t he?’ Maud retorted when I repeated what Adam had told me. ‘He’s covering up for his father.’
‘Surely he wouldn’t lie about his own mother’s death,’ I replied.
‘Think about it,’ Maud said. ‘When Richard’s wife left him, she abandoned her children too. Naturally they’re going to stick up for their father, especially if it means lying to cover up such a vicious crime. Adam and his brother have already lost their mother. They don’t want to lose their father too. It doesn’t take a genius to work out that man’s
