[i]“I’m sure she is not placing the blame on you. Nobody is.”[/i]

Claire thought a little differently with one look at Detective Morse. He went on with a few more questions and she took a slow, deep breath before continuing. “Of course.” Actually…anyone else who knew she was going. This could somehow be her chance to tell someone about her contact and the people holding her life over her head. She could say…no, there was no way it would work. Even if Claire could put the blame on the contact, Matthew, Wallace…there was no time in her story for her to have innocently told anyone. Besides, they would surely rat her out. No, there was no way to get out of her duties to the other side of this war.

“No, no one else knew,” she finally answered, avoiding eye contact by looking to the side. “I didn’t even properly inform Nick as I should have. The carriage driver, he was ours and his name is Samuel but I didn’t let him know until we were ready to leave.” Claire looked up at the detective, feeling quite done with his questions. “I only saw him for a few hours, I am sure there are others that were around him longer than I was so asking me for information is going to get you nowhere. “Lucy and I were the only one to touch the food I brought besides the guard that ate some. Perhaps [i]he[/i] did something to Matthew…I have a feeling those guards did more harm to him than I am capable of imagining.”

Claire stood, finished crying and finished answering to them. “I told Lucy where we were going, I fixed the sandwiches, we went to the prison and left. I was there for such a short time, and had so little to do with Matthew that if I [i]did[/i] notice something, then the murderer must not be very good at his job,” she said. “Excuse me gentlemen, I would like to be with my husband now,” she said, walking to the door that led to the hallway and opening it. “Our doorman will show you the way out. I do hope you find something, for my friend’s sake.”

Detective Morse could do nothing else. She had answered their questions and she was right, the food had been checked before going in the door. Besides, anything laced with poison would have been thrown out by now. “Thank you for being so cooperative, Mr. and Mrs. Rochford,” he said, “I [i]will[/i] be back if we have anything else to ask, anything you could help with.” Claire was very outspoken and he had a feeling she wasn’t afraid to speak harshly to man if needed. Strange woman, and Morse was glad he wasn’t the one married to her. At any rate, she needed to know they were in charge of this case, and her attitude wouldn’t keep them away if something brought them back.

Thankfully for her they were out the door within minutes. Finally alone with Nick and his father she sighed, holding her hands together. “Shall I order us something to eat? My lands, what time is it…” she murmured, trying to change the subject. Honestly, part of Claire wanted to be alone with her thoughts, but that wouldn’t help anyone. “Perhaps we should wait to see Lucy. I…I just want to stay home.” Should she speak with Nick about her secrets? Would he hate her if she found out? Perhaps after the party she wouldn’t be given another job, everything would be fine… "I just want to be with you." He had been so sweet, so supportive through the entire questioning. Was it sincere, or would he start doing his own investigation now?