Page 44

G abriella Hastings had always prided herself on being the practical sort.

She’d never squealed when she’d encountered a spider or mouse.

In fact, it was hard for her to recall ever having known fear.

Except for once when one of her sisters had been deathly ill.

But even then, Gabriella’s faith had carried her through the ordeal, strengthened by her sister’s recovery that the attending physician pronounced as miraculous.

Now, however, she found her comfort and well-being thoroughly tested as she accompanied Kendrick and his Runners into the rooms and hallways beneath St. George’s.

Though they’d brought lanterns with them, she hated the feeling of being beneath ground-level.

There was something horribly oppressive about it, as though the stones on all sides were closing in and threatening to crush her at any moment.

It was ridiculous of course. She told herself this more than once; yet it had no effect.

The smell from the morgue they’d passed through earlier didn’t help.

Thankfully, she’d had the presence of mind to bring a lavender-scented handkerchief, but the smell of blood and death had still managed to sneak its way up her nose.

By contrast, the corpses they’d passed hadn’t bothered her in the least. Why would they? Dead people weren’t a threat to anyone. The live ones, however, like the one they presently hunted, were something else altogether.

She experienced a fresh burst of anger as she considered what that person had already managed to do. What they might yet do if they weren’t soon caught. She forced herself to hold onto that feeling since it was more powerful than her discomfort.

Jaw tight, she quickened her steps to better keep pace with Kendrick. Sensing her, he sent a quick look her way. “Everything all right?”

“Yes.” A short response as her gaze caught his in the glow of an oil lamp.

With more important business than her to attend to, he sent his attention forward once more as they continued their march. Heels clicked against the stone floor, the sharp sound echoing down every hallway through which they travelled.

They’d already checked several rooms after leaving the morgue. All had been used for various types of storage, except the kitchen and the laundry room. Located near the periphery of the building with widows offering light and ventilation, these were both spacious and uncomfortably warm.

The nape of Gabriella’s neck still felt clammy after leaving the laundry room where steam rose from the huge basins in which all the bedding and hospital clothes could be washed.

The heavy smell of soap hanging in the air had jarred her senses after arriving from the kitchen where some sort of stew was being prepared.

“Check that door and I’ll check the next,” Kendrick said when they reached another part of the basement that hadn’t yet been inspected.

Choosing to stick to Kendrick’s side, she followed him to the next door. She’d wanted to question him about his search method numerous times, though not in front of his men.

Why hadn’t he headed straight for the stairs Mr. Croft had mentioned? Why weren’t they looking into the secret tunnel and chamber where Mr. Croft claimed he’d encountered Melroy?

Surely that was a concrete lead while this…

Searching here felt like a waste of precious time.

Kendrick opened the door and stepped inside the room, taking one of the oil lamps with him.

A Runner named Lewis gestured for Gabriella to precede him.

Not wanting to be left behind in the darkness, she stepped forward, her gaze immediately drawn to the parts of the room Kendrick lit while moving about with the lamp.

“This is no storage room,” he said, confirming what she had already noticed.

The space contained an operating table, a small cabinet, and a secondary table on which supplies were still on display.

Kendrick held the lamp over it to better evaluate the various items. There weren’t many; just a jar, a measuring cup, and some rope.

Not exactly medical in nature but enough to send chills down Gabriella’s spine.

“An odd collection of items,” Lewis muttered.

Kendrick set down the oil lamp, picked up the jar, and sniffed it.

“Unlike us, it looks like you may have found something.” The comment was made by Jackson, who’d entered the room with the rest of the Runners.

“The smell of laudanum is undeniable, but there’s something else I can’t make out.” Kendrick offered Gabriella the jar. “What do you think?”

His choosing to defer to her in this instance didn’t just catch her by surprise, it filled her with an almost unreasonable amount of pleasure. Honestly, having him turn to her for help should not make her feel quite so special, and yet it did.

She curled her fingers around the glass container, her fingers briefly brushing his as she took it. Her stomach instantly tightened, her face heating so much, she appreciated the dim lighting since it would prevent the others from seeing her blush.

A silly reaction to have, but she supposed it must be the result of being put on the spot. It surely had nothing to do with the aggravating chief constable’s fleeting touch.

She took a deep breath and prayed that no one could hear the thunderous beat of her heart as she raised the jar to her nose. A slow inhalation provided the answer Kendrick was seeking. “I’m detecting a hint of cannabis, perhaps some wolfsbane too.”

“Both of which Wentworth mentioned in his journal,” Kendrick said.

Gabriella dropped her gaze to the rope before sliding it toward the table. Bile rose in her throat. “Does that mean we’ve found the place where the murders took place?”

“Possibly.” Kendrick, showing no hint of queasiness whatsoever, told his Runners, “I want this room sealed. No one comes in here unless they’re working for Bow Street. Jackson, please make sure the task is properly handled.”

Jackson responded with a succinct, “Yes, sir.”

“We’ll need to study the findings we’ve made in greater detail,” Kendrick added, “which means we’ll have to return with additional light.

But since we’re here, I’d also like to search the area Mr. Croft mentioned.

Lewis, you’ll join me together with Anderson.

Miss Hastings, you’re free to decide which team you’d rather be on.

Jackson’s will probably have you back above ground much sooner. ”

Gabriella stiffened in response to his comment and what it implied. Despite her best effort to hide her discomfort, he’d still managed to pick up on it and she hated that. It made her look like the typically feeble female who lacked the spine required to match a man’s courage.

For some annoying reason, it infuriated her even more that he should be the one to suspect her of being afraid. Determined to prove him wrong, she crossed her arms and raised her chin. “I’ll come with you.”

He angled his head. Although the light from his oil lamp did not reach his eyes, leaving most of his face cast in shadow, she knew from his stance that he was assessing her. “Are you sure?”

She straightened her spine. “Very.”

“I’ll not be able to sacrifice one of my men should you require an escort later.”

“Then it’s a good thing I shan’t be needing an escort.” The words sounded harsher than she’d intended, but lord have mercy, the man had a way of provoking her with his insinuations.

“Good,” he muttered before he swung away from her and strode for the door. “Let’s go then.”

Gabriella gulped a breath and went in pursuit of the bothersome pest. Whatever physical responses she’d had toward him thus far obviously was caused by severe dislike of his person.

Did that mean she didn’t admire his character?

Of course not. As a chief constable, he deserved her respect but as a man, she dearly wanted to strangle him.

Every time he made her believe she’d misjudged him and that there was cause for her to like him, he undid it in the next instant. It was insufferable. He was insufferable. And the idea of having him think her a wilting flower was simply not to be borne.

So incensed was she by the comment he’d made, not merely in her presence alone but in front of five others, she barely registered the descent into the subterranean tunnel until she was following Kendrick through it.

Caught off guard, she sucked in a breath in response to which he stopped walking. This caused her to stop as well, along with Lewis and Anderson, who brought up the rear.

“Everything all right?” Kendrick asked her.

“Of course.” To her everlasting annoyance, her voice didn’t carry the confidence she’d hoped for.

Kendrick moved closer to where she stood then positioned himself in a way that shielded them both from Lewis and Anderson. He leaned in, his breath brushing her skin as he whispered next to her ear, “If it’s any consolation, I don’t like having to come down here either.”

She fought to gain control of the pulse he’d sent racing while willing her nerves to calm themselves. Fear was but an emotion and Kendrick was nothing more than a man. She wouldn’t let either affect her.

“Why not?” she asked, hoping for the distraction conversation would offer. “The air is perfectly lovely.”

He grunted what sounded like a bit of choked laughter then grabbed her hand firmly and pulled her along.

She stumbled a bit and tried to wrench herself free, but her effort proved futile and frankly, the contact helped ease her mind.

A curious thing since Kendrick would not be able to save her if the roof of the tunnel came crashing down on them all.

Even so, clasping onto him made her feel safe.

Which was possibly the most ludicrous thought she’d had all day.

* * *