“It was horrible. He was in such pain.” She squeezed her eyes shut in an attempt to block out the awful memory. “His face, it was…” She shook her head.
“Didn’t the Melvilles or Miss Monroe know he was here?”
“It was very early in the morning. A little after five. Stilldark out. They were sleeping. I was preparing breakfast when he came.” She shook her head. “My poor boy.”
“What did you do?”
“I knew I had to hide him, so I led him to the secret passage in the second-floor room. He was in so much pain. We have a first aid kit. I did what I could. I cleaned and dressed the wound. I was afraid it would get infected, but Luther was lucky. It took time, but it healed. I fed him when I could to keep up his strength.” She smiled. “My Luther has always been strong. He endured, and he got better.”
“How did you get him the job as houseman?”
“Mr. Gilbert left.”
“He was the houseman?”
“Yes.”
“Why did he go?”
“I have no idea. One morning, we looked for him, and he was gone. He didn’t leave a note or give anyone an explanation.”
Robin felt herself go cold, and she saw the policemen look at each other.
“Did Luther do anything to Mr. Gilbert?” Pine asked.
“No, no. They never met.”
Pine looked like he was going to pursue this line of questioning for a moment. Then he dropped it.
“So, you asked Mr. Melville to give Luther the job.”
“Yes. I’d bought him new clothes when I’d gone to town for supplies. His wounds had healed, and he looked very nice in the suit I’d given him.”
Pine looked at Morales and Carter. “Anything you’d like to ask Mrs. Raskin?”
The detectives shook their heads.
“Thank you for being so open with us. Now, I’m going to have a policewoman escort you to our headquarters.”
“Will I be able to see my boy?”
“Probably not. You do understand that you’re under arrest?”
“Yes, but I don’t regret what I’ve done. My Luther has never been right. He doesn’t see the world like you and I do. I had to make him safe.”
Robin would have liked to know how far the housekeeper would have gone to protect her son if she discovered that Justin Trent or Frank Melville knew Luther was a fugitive and were going to turn him in, but she decided that was a job for the authorities.
Sergeant Pine signaled a policewoman who had been waiting by the door. She came forward and stood by the housekeeper while Pine handcuffed her.
“Is this necessary, Sergeant Pine?” Mrs. Raskin asked.
“It’s procedure, but I made sure the cuffs are loose so they’re as comfortable as they can be.”
“Thank you.”
As soon as Mrs. Raskin was out of the room, Pine’s shoulders sagged.
“There are times when I hate this job,” he said.