“The…” Mrs. Peabody lowered her voice. “The blackmailer.”
“Of course not!” Mrs. Dixon said quickly. “We sent the payment as requested; he has no reason to do such a thing.”
Neville nodded in confirmation. “I spoke with Mr. Aubright myself; the payment was left at the designated spot as instructed.”
“There, you see? There must be another explanation.”
This seemed to quiet Mrs. Peabody’s nerves for a moment, the color returning to her cheeks. But then she burst into another fit of tears. “But who could have done such a thing?”
“Neville, you did rounds before retiring last evening, did you not?” Mrs. Dixon stroked Mrs. Peabody’s back soothingly.
“Yes, as I always do.” Neville straightened his bow tie, uncomfortable being called into question.
“And you saw nothing?”
“Of course not.
