Page 49

I t was late afternoon by the time Samantha heard the front door open and close.

She’d arrived home roughly two hours earlier and had spent that entire time trying to figure out how to proceed.

Ordinarily, she would have taken the information she’d gained on Islington and headed out to investigate.

She’d have dealt with Adrian’s protests later.

But the news Doctor Wolf had delivered changed things.

If she was indeed carrying Adrian’s child, she had to start taking more care.

She couldn’t afford to keep facing down scoundrels alone.

As much as she loathed it, her personal safety would have to take priority.

Because if anything happened to threaten that, Adrian would be crushed.

And she for one did not want him to blame her for wrecking his chance of becoming a father.

Which meant she had to wait for him to return home, and if there was one thing she truly hated, it was sitting around doing nothing when instinct told her to act.

Especially since this also gave her plenty of time to think about Finn O’Leary putting in an appearance when she left Doctor Wolf’s office.

No doubt the scoundrel had followed her there. He’d wanted her to see him – to know he’d tracked her – most likely to put her on edge. It annoyed her how well he’d succeeded. It also bothered the hell out of her that she’d not discovered his presence sooner.

Agitated, she left the parlor and entered the foyer where Elks was in the process of taking Adrian’s hat and gloves.

Her heart produced a wild thump at the sight of her husband’s imposing frame.

His hair was slightly tussled, his jaw set in a firm line that instantly told her he’d serious business to discuss.

Yet the moment he glanced at her, everything in his expression softened, turning the hard flecks of granite in his dark gaze to smooth, delectable chocolate. He stepped toward her, his eyebrows dipping slightly with hints of concern.

“How are you faring?” He caught her hands loosely and stroked his thumbs over the edge of each one. “Elks tells me you saw Doctor Wolf.”

Samantha nodded and tried to focus. “I did. He gave me some tea which helped a great deal. Told me to come back and see him again in a couple of weeks.”

Adrian frowned. “That’s all? He offered no diagnosis?”

“He suggested it might have been something I ate.” Not a lie, exactly. She closed one hand more firmly around his and started leading him into the parlor. “More important, however, is what he told me about Islington.”

“Wolf brought him up?” Surprise tinged every word.

Adrian nudged the parlor door shut. When Samantha faced him, she found his gaze filled with interest. “No. He had a commemorative plaque on the wall. From when he finished university. Islington’s name was listed, so I inquired about him.”

“And?” Pensiveness had replaced the surprise. Adrian crossed to the side board and poured them both a drink.

Samantha moved to the sofa and sat. “Wolf used to see Islington regularly until the pair had a falling out a couple of years ago.

Adrian sent her a glance over his shoulder. “Oh?”

“Apparently their opinions on what constituted medical progress and what risked being unethical differed. Wolf opposed Islington’s wish to try and perfect Wentworth’s anesthesia by commencing human trials.”

“If that’s true, then Wolf’s stance mirrors that of the men I spoke with before coming home.” Adrian handed Samantha the glass he’d prepared for her, lowered himself to an adjacent chair, and told her about his conversation with Ashburry, Grieves, Thrudledge, Iverton, and Beltham.

As they sipped their drinks she reflected on what he’d said. “I find Doctor Lester’s involvement to be of particular interest.”

Adrian frowned. “You know him?”

“I’ve never met the man before, but Wolf mentioned his wife when I asked if he could provide me with an idea of where Islington and Preordian might have disappeared to.

” She held Adrian’s gaze squarely. “He wasn’t sure about Preordian since they’re not well acquainted, but he did have some insight to share on Islington.

Apparently Doctor Lester’s wife is his sister. ”

Adrian’s lips parted. He seemed to need a moment for that information to settle.

When his gaze refocused on Samantha, he said, “I met her when I stopped by St. George’s to speak with Wentworth.

She was stationed at the front desk and tried denying me access.

I wonder now if that was intentional. If she knew of my involvement in the investigation, she might have striven to hinder my efforts. ”

“It would make sense for her to protect both her husband and brother from possible prosecution. In Wolf’s opinion, Islington would have sought her aid. If he hasn’t fled the City, there’s a chance he’s hiding out in her house.”

“And since her husband’s name hasn’t been officially linked to the deaths, he might still be referring patients to the surgeon.”

“Unless Doctor Lester is the surgeon,” Samantha said.

“Let’s not forget, we’re not dealing with a rational person but rather with someone intent on making a name for himself, even if people have to die for that to happen.

Just because he lacks the training or an official degree doesn’t mean he’s not choosing to act as though he has both. ”

“A compelling theory in light of what we have learned. It’s certainly worth looking into.”

Samantha glanced at the clock on the fireplace mantle. “It’s only five minutes past four. If we head out now, we could be at Lester’s home by half past and back home again before supper.”

“True, but I’m thinking we should gather more information first.” Forearms braced on his thighs, Adrian dropped his gaze to the carpet for a moment before once again meeting her gaze.

“While I’ll agree there’s a good chance the Lesters may be part of all this, we cannot afford to make a mistake by basing our suspicions solely on statements made by others.

What if the men I spoke with are simply trying to cast blame on someone else? ”

“There’s also the information Wolf provided on Mrs. Lester.”

“I doubt she’s involved.” When Samantha gave him a questioning look, he said, “She works for Murdoch. Besides, Wolf told you nothing concrete, merely that she is Islington’s sister.

He might seek her help. But that’s information others might know and use to push us toward the wrong trail.

By mentioning Lester – the only physician associated with this thus far who’s not employed by St. George’s – they may have intended for us to make that exact connection.

Either way, the concrete facts we’ve acquired are not enough to accuse either of the Lesters of wrongdoing. ”

“If we speak with them, there’s a chance they’ll reveal the truth. Especially with Mrs. Lester being one of Murdoch’s people.”

“There’s also the chance they’ll tell us nothing we don’t already know. In which case, if they are involved, we’ll just have warned them that they’re under investigation.”

Following his line of thought she said, “They’ll be given the chance to hide whatever proof there might be of their involvement, and we’ll have lost our upper hand.”

“Plus, we cannot afford to get this wrong.” A shadow fell across Adrian’s face.

His eyebrows drew together. “I’ve made mistakes in the past. Looking back, it’s a miracle Lundquist didn’t insist on seeking satisfaction after I publicly accused him of killing my sister.

It was an unforgivable error on my part and one I’d like to avoid repeating, besides which I risk having my pardon revoked if there’s so much as a whisper of me circumventing the law in any way. ”

Valid points, all. “Then what would you suggest.”

“We visit Bow Street first. I’d like to question Melroy and Wentworth. See if they have anything to add about the Lesters.”

“And then?”

“And then we see. If what they tell us adds credence to the Lesters’ direct involvement, I’m confident Kendrick will guarantee their arrest.”

* * *

“There’s also this,” Adrian said after ordering the carriage readied. He showed Samantha the letter Murdoch’s informant had pilfered from Wrengate. “Let’s compare it with the anonymous note while we wait.”

They moved to his study and placed both pieces of paper upon his desk, side by side. Adrian leaned forward, his palm flat against the polished wood as he scanned the two scripts. “They’re very similar.”

“The slant looks the same,” Samantha agreed. “Even the curve of this particular ‘g’ is indistinguishable from that one, but there are slight differences too.”

Adrian’s heart shrank as his body grew heavy. “It’s inconclusive. We’re no closer to learning if Wrengate wrote this or not. Damn.”

“I’m sorry,” Samantha muttered, her hand settling over his just before a knock sounded.

Adrian glanced toward the door where Elks stood. “The carriage is ready, sir.”

Adrian thanked his butler and prepared for departure. He hoped Bow Street would prove more useful than the handwriting sample provided by Murdoch.

Dismissing the disappointment that wrapped his ribs tightly around his lungs, he followed Samantha out of the house.

Her desire to finish with Bow Street quickly was understandable.

He too felt an urgent need to rush off and confront the Lesters.

However, he genuinely believed this situation was better handled with careful deliberation instead of heightened emotion.

Despite his low opinion of Kendrick, he had to admit that the chief constable had proven himself more capable lately.

He’d managed to track down the missing children and bring them back to London safely.

Much to Adrian’s surprise, he’d even turned on his superiors in order to see justice served on Adrian’s behalf.