A World Apart (The Hands of Time: Book 3) Page 31

  This inquest would be followed by another one tomorrow. That one would be for Silas Manson, the gamekeeper at the estate of Sir Henry Flynn, who discovered the body of Lady Elizabeth. The man blew his head off while cleaning a hunting rifle and although the death appeared to be accidental, some believed that he’d committed suicide out of guilt, having known something of the double murder. Coroner Davis did not believe that for a moment. Silas had been a good, God-fearing man. He would never have concealed evidence if he had seen or heard something. On the other hand, he had also been a proficient hunter and the idea that he shot himself by accident was a ludicrous one. It might have been suicide, but that would be between Silas and God.

  The coroner read the verdict of the jury one more time, took a deep breath and addressed the assembly. “Ladies and Gentlemen, in the case of Lady Elizabeth Flynn and Captain Jeremy Flynn, the verdict is “Murder by persons unknown.” The case is now closed.”

  The room erupted in a cacophony of noise, but Sir Henry just sat and stared at his hands, his shoulders quaking with sobs. He’d lost his pregnant young wife and son, who had only recently returned home after the Battle of Waterloo. Sir Henry was a broken man and there was nothing anyone could do to help him now. Coroner Davis watched as Lady Elizabeth’s father gently patted Henry on the shoulder and walked from the room, erect and dry-eyed, even in his grief.