JACK OF DIAMONDS, REDUX

Chapter 12, completed edits...

Photo by Clint McKoy on Unsplash

Berry led Nigel through to the East Library, guiding him through wide hallways hung with elaborate paintings, sculptures, and wall hangings he wished he could take the time to examine. He knew he’d give anything to sit in one of the hall chairs and make endless sketches. But all the same, it’s a fucking show of wealth, and little else, he thought. Like the jacket Berry gave him to wear, a little long in the sleeves, but probably worth more than anything he owned. He was willing to admit that the paintings were quite fanciful, and while they were probably valuable, they were also a reminder that the people working the farms probably paid for them with their sweat. As far as I can see it’s another fucking show of extravagance. An embarrassment of riches, I think they call it. People, monied people, seldom think of anything but their own fucking welfare—which for the most part is the same for everyone. And while he may have felt that it would be better to share the wealth, he knew that kind of thinking in today’s world was impossible.

Look at what it’s doing to Russia. The tsar dead; people turning against neighbours, and family. Total fucking anarchy. It looked good on paper, as a treatise, but the reality’s quite different, isn’t it?

“You have electric lights?” Nigel said.

“Yes. Almost done.”

“And you had workmen come in to do it?”

“Three.”

“Know them?”

Berry stopped to look at him for a moment as he considered the question.

“The Baron offered to educate anyone willing, or should I say, with an aptitude for this kind of work.”

“You mean in the village?”

They began walking again.

“On the farms. He felt that such an opportunity should be given to the most willing and capable of his own people. It is a growing industry, and while we’re one of the first manors in the area to consider changing to electricity, he’s quite certain the others will follow. It is only a matter of time. There’s money to be made, and he wanted to help all those he could.”

“But only three?”

“It seems they were the only ones able to grasp the mathematics involved.”

“Is it that difficult?”

“It can be very dangerous.”

“Do you think it’s possible one of the three may have been involved?”

Berry shook his head.

“I’ve known the three young men in question since they were children, Mr. Bannister. I highly doubt they were involved.”

“Are involved.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“It’s an ongoing investigation, and until the investigator arrives from Okehampton tomorrow, everyone will have to be treated as a suspect.”

“I do not envy you your task, Mr. Bannister.”

“Why’s that?”

“If you treat everyone as a suspect, you make everyone an enemy.”

“Even as I dismiss them one by one?”

“People always resent being suspected for something they did not do.”

“That so?”

They arrived at the Library doors and Berry opened them with an elaborate sweep, stepping in and quickly announcing Nigel to the family.

“Inspector Bannister, my Lord.”

“I told you I’m not an inspector,” Nigel said under his breath.

“Forgive my indiscretion,” Berry said, bowing as he closed the doors.