Page 43

“It’s been a while since I last saw Doctor Islington,” said Doctor Wolf. He drummed his fingers lightly against the top of his desk as though trying to steer his thoughts onto the right path. “A year at least.”

“Does that mean you otherwise socialize often as friends?”

“Colleagues mostly.” Once again, Doctor Wolf appeared to mull something over.

“He was an excellent student, you know. Received top marks in all his subjects. I’ve always respected his opinion but our last two meetings ended in sound disagreements.

As a result, I’ve not been in any hurry to meet with him again. ”

Sensing there was valuable information to be had here, Samantha pressed. “What did this disagreement of yours entail?”

Doctor Wolf sent his son a quick look, then shrugged.

“He favors the law that would sentence to death anyone playing a hand in ending a pre-gestation pregnancy. He’s extremely rigid on this point while I’m of the opinion that such cases cannot be lumped together as one and punished in the same way.

Several factors, like the health of both mother and child, ought to be taken into consideration, though I’ll deny this stance should you happen to mention it elsewhere. ”

“Of course.” Doctor Wolf had no interest in being tied to something the courts treated as murder. “Anything else the two of you disagree on?”

“Is this not enough?” Doctor Wolf snorted. “Islington should have the sense to view this prickly subject from more than one angle, but there’s no discussing it with him. Instead, he accused me of having dangerous opinions.”

“An understandable reason not to be in a hurry to see him again,” Samantha said. Though she didn’t believe Doctor Wolf was involved in Islington’s disappearance, she had to ask, “Did he by any chance threaten to share your views with others?”

“Yes, but he has the good sense not to.”

“How do you mean?”

Doctor Wolf raised his chin, his expression tightening while a somber look entered his eyes. “Let’s just say our acquaintance goes back far enough for me to know he has a few opinions that could land him in terrible trouble as well.”

“What sort of opinion?”

“I’m a man of my word, Mrs. Croft, and I gave him mine. You understand?”

She didn’t like it, but she appreciated the man’s sense of honor and chose not to press him further.

If anything, Kendrick could make him talk under threat of penalty from the law.

However, there was one more thing she hoped Doctor Wolf might help her with.

“Do you have any idea where Islington might be hiding?”

“Not really, though I suppose he could have gone to his sister for help.”

“And where would I find her?”

Doctor Wolf expelled a deep breath, then returned to his desk so he could prepare a second note for Samantha.

“If you don’t mind,” Doctor Wolf said as he handed her the paper, “I’ve kept my next patient waiting too long already.”

“Of course. My apologies and thanks to both you and your son for the help and information you have provided.” Addressing Doctor Wolf more directly she said, “I’ll see you in a couple of weeks.”

“Let’s check the appointment book,” Mr. Wolf suggested while ushering her out into the foyer.

Having collected the ceramic pot she’d used earlier, he covered it and set it aside for cleaning, then went to alert the next patient that Doctor Wolf was ready to see him. Once this task had been completed, he helped Samantha find a suitable date on which to return for another evaluation.

“Ready?” she asked Murry when she went to find him in the waiting room.

He frowned. “That took a lot longer than I expected. Is everything all right?”

Not really. She felt as though she’d been given too much to worry about. But of course she couldn’t tell him that, so she managed a smile and said, “Perfectly so. I was given some tea which helped tremendously. Most importantly, I learned a few things my husband may find useful.”

They left the building and returned to their carriage. Murry opened the door for Samantha so she could climb in. She scooted across to the opposite side, her mind awhirl with everything she had discovered within the last half hour. Joy and concern both warred for attention.

If she truly was carrying Adrian’s child, their lives would soon take a dramatic turn. Hopefully for the better though childbirth was not without risk. It was in fact a dangerous business. Truth be told, she’d feel more comfortable facing Finn O’Leary and his hulking companion alone in battle.

Intent on ignoring her fears, she turned her thoughts to the information she’d acquired on Islington. The excitement of sharing it with Adrian made her feel slightly giddy. She smiled, all other concerns briefly forgotten.

Murry claimed the opposite bench then pulled the carriage door shut. The horses started forward and Samantha directed her gaze out the window, only for her breath to catch in her throat as her heart slammed into her ribs.

The handsome man who casually leaned against the opposite street corner smirked while tracking her with his cool gaze. Finn O’Leary.

She swallowed past the knot in her throat and turned to Murry. “You see that man over there? Slim of build. Sharp features. Brown hair.” She tipped her head toward the window. “It’s vital that you remember his face.”

Murry leaned across the bench and peered in the direction she indicated, then shook his head. “There’s nobody there.”

“What?” Samantha twisted in her seat and stared toward the spot where O’Leary had been mere seconds before. She blinked, not quite comprehending the vacant spot that met her gaze.

It was as though the man had been swallowed up by the pavement.