Page 23 of A Whisper and a Curse

“What an annoying man,” Tilda said. “But I suppose that is a requirement for his occupation. Some would likely find me annoying in the same way—because we both ask questions and persist with our curiosity.”

“You are far more polite,” Hadrian noted.

Tilda scanned the interior and saw Mallory as well as Mrs. Frost and several other people standing together. Tildapositioned herself so that Hadrian stood between her and them. Though perhaps it didn’t really matter. Her presence here didn’t reveal that she was a private investigator. Perhaps Hadrian was the investigator.

“There’s Teague,” Hadrian said.

The inspector stood near the head of a long table, upon which lay a body draped with a cloth. It would be the deceased, Cyril Ward.

Teague was not alone. He stood with the coroner who’d overseen the last inquest they’d attended, Julius Graythorpe.

“Let us speak with them a moment,” Tilda murmured.

They moved toward the inspector and coroner, who both made eye contact. “I am not surprised to see you here,” Teague said with a faint smile directed at Tilda.

“Why is that?” Graythorpe asked. He narrowed his blue eyes at Hadrian. “Are you involved with this murder too?”

“Not at all,” Hadrian said. “I wasn’t involved with Chambers’ murder either.” He referred to the last inquest, which was to determine whether Louis Chambers had been murdered.

“You knew the deceased and were a suspect,” Graythorpe said. “That seems fairly involved.” He turned his attention to Tilda. “Are you investigating this matter, Miss Wren?”

“Not specifically, no,” she replied, glancing in the direction of the mediums, who were thankfully blocked from view by Hadrian. “I am making inquiries about another medium. She was acquainted with Mr. Ward, so I wanted to attend today.”

The coroner inclined his head. “You will want to sit as we will be starting soon. I’ve decided to allow the press inside as this case will likely be of great interest to the public. It’s rather terrible, I must say.” His expression had darkened.

There were several chairs set into two rows near them. A few constables were seated in the front row, but the back was empty.

“If we sit there, the constables in the front may prevent the mediums from seeing you,” Hadrian said.

“Splendid idea.” Tilda moved quickly to sit behind one of the constables.

The jurors were seated in chairs set into two rows along the opposite side, whilst those who’d been called to testify, spectators, and the press were either seated or standing at the foot of the table. Lysander Mallory sat in the first row, and Mrs. Frost was next to him. Mallory cocked his head toward the man on his other side and spoke to him.

“Do you recognize anyone?” Tilda whispered to Hadrian.

“The man seated, with whom Mallory is speaking, was in my vision.”

“Was he the one who levitated?”

“No, he was watching, as were two of the women in the back row. They are seated behind Mallory and the other man.” Hadrian turned his head toward Tilda. “Hopefully, we’ll learn who they are through the course of the inquest.”

“Provided they are called to testify by Mr. Graythorpe.” Tilda frowned. “If not, perhaps we should speak with Mr. Mallory and Mrs. Frost afterward and obtain introductions to the others.”

“You would expose yourself after all the trouble I’ve gone to hide you?”

She heard the sarcasm in his tone and rolled her eyes with a smile. “You’ve convinced me that I can come up with a believable ruse for my presence.”

The door opened, and Clement entered, along with a few other apparent reporters. They stood at the back of the room, their pencils poised above their notebooks. Graythorpe called the inquest to order and stated the matter plainly. The jury was to determine Cyril Ward’s cause of death.

Graythorpe began by stating when and how Ward had been found. He paused and looked over everyone assembled. “We willexpose the body now. Please avert your attention if that will distress you.”

The coroner and a constable removed the covering to expose Ward’s nude body. A cloth was draped over his groin. The man’s neck was damaged and discolored.

“You may think the man died of hanging, however, he was dead before he was strung up from the staircase, which was done in such a manner as to suggest he was levitating. His death was caused by poisoning from prussic acid.”

Tilda sucked in a breath. Her curiosity leapt.

Leaning close to Tilda, Hadrian said, “That’s the man in my vision. The one who levitated.” Though he whispered, his tone was rife with excitement.