Page 79 of A Whisper and a Curse

“I am struggling to understand why he would kill the mediums he’d recruited for the society he started.” Perhaps it really was that he’d lost his senses.

Hadrian fixed his gaze on her. “The letter he wrote to you implied that he killed them. Do we need to determine his motive, or can we leave that to Teague?”

“I am an investigator,” Tilda replied. “I keep asking questions until I don’t have any.”

The coach stopped. Leach opened the door a moment later, and they climbed down. A police wagon was parked in front of the house, and a constable stood at the front door.

Ezra Clement walked toward them on the pavement. “Here again, my lord, Miss Wren?” the reporter asked.

“As are you,” Hadrian noted with thinly veiled impatience.

“Even you must agree that all of London wants to hear about this story. I am not the only reporter here.” He glanced down the pavement at a small group of gentlemen who were looking in their direction.

“You are the only one, however, who intercepted us,” Tilda said.

Clement shrugged. “I recognized the earl’s coach. I rather hoped our previous encounters might mean that you would agree to speak with me.”

Tilda blinked at him. “About what?”

“Why you are here, to start.” Clement’s brows pitched together. “Are you investigating these murders, Miss Wren?”

“I’m afraid I can’t say.”

Clement blew out a breath. “Pity. You never know when I might have information that could help you. Ah, well, I don’t wish to impede your progress.” He moved aside and gestured for them to pass.

Tilda almost hesitated. What information could Clement have that would be helpful?

“Ignore him,” Hadrian said as they continued on their way. “I’m sure he was only baiting you.”

Hadrian was probably right. Tilda shook the encounter with Clement from her mind as they reached the door. Unsurprisingly, the constable stopped them from proceeding into the house.

“We’ve critical information for Detective Inspector Teague,” Tilda said. “It involves this murder.”

The constable hesitated until Hadrian said, “Superintendent Newsome will not want to hear that our information was delayed in reaching the detective inspector.”

“Lord Ravenhurst is right,” Tilda put in, hoping the mention of Hadrian’s title would also help ease their passage.

The constable’s expression pinched. “The detective inspector is not here. He is at the London Spiritualism Society.”

“Thank you,” Tilda said whilst Hadrian was already spinning on his heel. She hurried to keep up with him. She was beginning to fear they would never find Teague.

They passed by Clement again, and the reporter asked where they were going. Hadrian didn’t slow and neither did Tilda. When they reached the coach, Hadrian directed Leach to take them to the society headquarters in Cadogan Place.

“I must say this is convenient,” Hadrian said as he tapped his fingers against his thigh.

Tilda hadn’t ever seen him so agitated. “Because Mallory will be there?”

Hadrian’s eyes glittered with an edge of malice. “I sincerely hope so.”

“You must let Teague handle things,” Tilda said. “I know you’re angry that Mallory threatened me, but you can’t intercede.”

“Of course I won’t.” Hadrian’s hand stilled. “But I am eager to see him apprehended. Then I will be able to relax.”

When they arrived at the society headquarters, they encountered another constable at the front door. However, this one did not try to stop them. He worked for Teague and recognized them. In fact, he directed them to the parlor where they would find the detective inspector.

Teague stood in the parlor speaking with another constable. He looked toward the doorway as Tilda and Hadrian entered. “Ravenhurst, Miss Wren.”

“We don’t mean to intrude, but we have vital information,” Tilda said as they approached him. “We know who wrote that threatening letter to me.”