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A fter enjoying a lovely dinner together, Adrian and Samantha removed to his study. He needed to review the work Mr. Baker had done on the ledgers. The secretary had updated them yesterday, but with everything else that had happened lately, Adrian hadn’t had time to get to them.

Choosing to keep him company, Samantha presently lounged in one of the chairs on the opposite side of his desk, her legs propped on the other while she read Glenarvon .

Taking a brief reprieve from the various household purchases and costs, Adrian raised his gaze and smiled as he studied her profile.

The oil lamp standing near her right shoulder cast a luminous glow upon her unblemished skin.

Concentration produced slight creases across her brow and intensified her gaze.

His chest tightened with the awareness of his good fortune. Not only was Samantha his wife, making him the luckiest man in creation, but she was here, with him.

More than once he’d feared for her life. More than once she could have been taken from him by some horrid twist of fate. Yet there she sat, the very image of domestic intimacy – utterly unpretentious and relaxed.

Though he’d meant to start reviewing the Croft files Mr. Baker had started recompiling, Adrian now wondered if they might wait. He glanced toward the stack of card folders containing various papers – an attempt at reconstructing the detailed information on upper-class members of Society.

A small portion of them had been handed over to Kendrick by Samantha when the chief constable still believed she worked against Adrian.

The rest were given to the prime minister in exchange for Adrian’s pardon.

Some of what they contained could be re-written from memory and with the use of Debrett’s, but the majority of it required meticulous research.

It was an arduous job and Adrian knew he owed it to Mr. Baker to review his efforts thus far. But when he looked at his wife, all he wanted to do was abandon work and engage her in conversation.

Reluctantly, he returned his attention to his ledger and made a slight adjustment to one of the items listed. A knock at the door distracted him once again. “Enter.”

Elks stepped into the room. “Chief Constable Kendrick just arrived. He’d like a word with you if possible.”

Adrian sent a quick look toward the longcase clock that stood by the wall. It was almost nine. A bit late to stop by anyone’s home without good reason.

“Please show him in right away.”

Samantha, having set her book aside and put her legs down while Elks spoke, raised a brow. “Must be urgent since he’s here this late in the day. Do you think he’s come to share what he’s learned after questioning Wentworth?”

“Probably.”

They didn’t have time for further discussion before Kendrick appeared.

Seeing that Adrian wasn’t alone, he sent Samantha a nod by way of greeting.

“I hope you’ll forgive the late hour. My reason for calling pertains to the case.

As a courtesy, I’d like to inform you of the updates, since you did provide me with Wentworth. ”

Adrian was tempted to suggest Kendrick owed him not only for steering him in Wentworth’s direction but also for catching two murderers who had eluded the constable. Hell, he’d nearly been hanged for his trouble.

Instead, he sent the man a tight smile. “Much obliged, Kendrick. May I offer you a glass of brandy?”

“I suppose I’m technically off duty now so I’d appreciate that. Thank you.” He dropped his gaze toward the vacant chair next to Samantha’s and sent her a hesitant glance. “May I?”

Still unwilling to trust the chief constable after the part he’d played in trying to ruin Adrian’s life, she maintained a hostile expression while crossing her arms, even as she said, “By all means.”

“Would you like a brandy as well?” Adrian asked her as he went to pour the drinks.

“Yes, please.” Leaving Adrian to the task, she asked Kendrick, “Were you able to gain a confession from Wentworth?”

“No. He claims he’s innocent.”

“Of course he does,” Samantha muttered. “He’d be a fool not to, but you found the proof of his involvement right?”

“You’re referring to the notebook?” Samantha’s silence in response to the question was telling. It conveyed the lack of respect she had for him.

Taking pity on the man since he had come here of his own volition, Adrian said, “It was fairly damning, wouldn’t you say?”

“I would,” Kendrick agreed, “which is why Wentworth is currently being held in one of the Bow Street cells.”

“You don’t say.” Adrian handed Kendrick one of the glasses he’d prepared, then offered the next to Samantha before taking the last for himself.

“However, there are a few points that require further investigation before we make official charges against him. Especially since the search of his house this afternoon provided no additional leads.”

Adrian returned to his seat and Kendrick proceeded to brief him and Samantha on what he’d learned, paying particular attention to the elements in Wentworth’s favor.

Most glaring was the issue regarding the disposal of the bodies, which Adrian agreed would have been impossible for Wentworth to manage alone.

There was also his character to consider.

“Were it not for the fact that I found those notes in his locked drawer,” Adrian said, “I would never have thought him capable.”

Kendrick sent him a firm look. “You and I both know there are those who can conceal their true nature with ease. Whatever your opinion of him may be, you’d best ignore it.”

“I’ve already done so,” Adrian reminded him. “As evidenced by the fact I searched his office.”

“I’ll grant you that,” Kendrick said, earning a look of disdain from Samantha.

She sipped her brandy, then asked, “What’s your plan moving forward?”

“To dig deeper.” Kendrick’s steady gaze held hers briefly before he shifted his full attention to Adrian.

“Whoever killed these patients required not only the means but also a sound-proof location. Given what we know— the fact that Mr. Booker died after arriving at St. George’s, the possibility he was deliberately silenced, and Wentworth being a St. George’s physician—it seems that particular hospital could be the answer. ”

“It does appear to be at the heart of this case,” Adrian mused. “I trust you’re planning to search it?”

“Tomorrow morning,” Kendrick confirmed.

“I’d like to join you.” A pointed look from Samantha had him adding, “We both would.”

“I thought you might say that.” Kendrick drank some brandy, holding the liquid in his mouth for a moment before swallowing. “However, I don’t think it’s a good idea for either of you to be present.”

“You wouldn’t even have known about Wentworth’s notebook were it not for me,” Adrian said, his voice low and measured.

“You’re right and I’m grateful to you for the information you have provided,” Kendrick told him.

“When I agreed to let you collaborate with me, I did so due to your proven success at revealing criminals. It’s a notable skill that can serve London well.

That said, we mustn’t forget your own criminal past. It would be irresponsible of me to let you participate in a broader capacity.

Not only because there’s a chance you’ll do away with the killer, thus putting yourself at risk of another arrest and all the unpleasantries that will follow, but also because it wouldn’t be good for Bow Street if people found out we’ve been working with you. ”

Adrian placed a hand over his heart. “I’m touched by how much you care for my wellbeing, Kendrick.”

Samantha snorted and Kendrick sent his gaze skyward, then downed the remainder of his drink and set his glass on the desk. “I’ll keep you apprised of any developments moving forward.”

“Are you asking me to remain on the sidelines?”

“I’m telling you to fall back and let me do my job.” Kendrick stood and prepared to depart. “Should you happen to hear anything pertinent, however, I trust you’ll pass it along.”

Adrian leaned back in his chair and raised his glass in salute. “Of course.”

Kendrick flattened his mouth and sent them both a quick nod before leaving.

Samantha turned to Adrian as soon as they were alone. “Do you plan to do as he asks?”

“That depends.” He tapped one finger against the edge of his glass while studying her.

She angled her head. “On what?”

“On how you feel about my putting myself in danger.” When it looked like he’d muddled her head, he explained, “You’ve just pulled me out of the fire. I’m not sure you’ll be all right with my jumping back in.”

“I won’t like it any more than you liked my sneaking into Wrengate’s home.”

“Which is why I’m choosing not to act without your agreement.”

She stared at him and he could see precisely what she was thinking. He hadn’t quite forgiven her yet for choosing to go behind his back. To her credit, she didn’t get defensive about it. Instead she nodded. “I appreciate that.”

“So what’s your honest opinion?”

“Even though you’ve pointed Kendrick in the right direction, I’m not sure he’s capable of getting to the bottom of this. Least of all if Wentworth turns out to be a false lead.”

“You think he might be?” It was of course a possibility Adrian had considered.

“I know things aren’t always as they appear.

I also know that if I were conducting medical experiments on people, I’d probably try directing attention away from myself and onto someone else.

That’s not to say Wentworth isn’t guilty, just that we need to explore the possibility of his being used as a decoy. ”

“In which case the killer is still on the loose.” Adrian went to top up his glass. “If that’s so, then we need to find him. While I wish it were otherwise, I don’t trust Kendrick’s capabilities on that score any more than you do.”

She raised her glass and he stepped toward her, clinking the two tumblers together. A crooked smile tugged at her lips. “To hunting monsters and saving lives.”