Page 41 of A Whisper and a Curse (Raven & Wren #3)
Hadrian felt a flash of revulsion for the man but did not allow it to show. “What did the letter say?”
“It had details about what happened. They knew her name.” Joslin squeezed his eyes shut. “And that of the surgeon, as well as how he told me of Abigail’s death.” Joslin wiped his brow. “I’d never thought to live through that again.”
Mallory must have experienced Joslin’s memory.
“The note demanded money?” Hadrian prompted.
“Yes. Two hundred pounds, which I delivered to a grocer they indicated.”
“You paid the money?” Hadrian would never. “Why not just ignore them? What could they have done?”
“They threatened to tell my wife, and I’ve no doubt she would have believed them.
She learned I had a mistress once and was most upset.
” Joslin’s face flushed. “Abigail was not the first.” He closed his eyes briefly before meeting Hadrian’s gaze once more.
“However, I have been faithful since that tragedy. God has seen fit to give me a chance to redeem myself.”
But not poor Abigail. Hadrian kept his thoughts—and judgment—to himself. He was particularly inclined to dislike men who betrayed their wives, as his father had done continually to Hadrian’s mother.
“You mentioned a grocer.” Hadrian assumed it was the same grocer Eldred had mentioned. “Where was it located?”
“Bedfordbury.” Joslin shuddered. “Terrible place.”
“And what did you do with the money when you went there?” Hadrian asked.
“The letter said to leave the money with a Mr. Timms, and that is what I did.”
“Mr. Timms didn’t question why you were giving him two hundred pounds?”
“He didn’t seem to, but I didn’t say what it was for.” Joslin’s face was bright red. “I handed him a purse with the funds and said I was there to deliver it as instructed by a letter. Timms nodded and took the purse from me. That was the end of the transaction.”
“What does Timms look like?” Hadrian wondered if Timms was another alias used by Thaddeus Vale, though Joslin had already said he wasn’t sure if he’d met Mallory.
“He’s a small man—very short—with dark hair.
” Joslin made an unpleasant face. “He was most unfriendly.” He straightened, his brows drawing together with consternation.
“I think you are wrong about the mediums not speaking with the spirit realm. They must. There is no other way they would know about Abigail.”
“Have you considered that the surgeon may have shared the story?” Hadrian asked.
Joslin’s features arrested. He was silent a moment. “I had not. That was years ago. How would they even find him?”
Hadrian lifted a shoulder. “I do not know how they manage their tricks, but I promise you they are not speaking to the dead.” He exhaled, eager to leave Joslin’s presence. “Thank you for telling me what happened. I can see that was difficult to share.”
“Will it help the police?”
“I think so,” Hadrian said. “However, you will likely need to provide testimony to Scotland Yard.”
Joslin shifted in his chair uncomfortably. “I don’t know if I can do that.”
“I think you will want to help the police, else you may look suspicious,” Hadrian said with a faint shrug. “Three of the society’s mediums have been murdered, and your blackmail gives you a motive to have killed them.”
“I did not kill anyone!” Joslin’s face burned bright red. “How dare you insinuate that!”
“I am merely informing you of the facts, Mr. Joslin. I am sure the Metropolitan Police will wish to interview you.” Hadrian stood. “Presumably, you have alibis you can provide for the times of the murders.”
“Of course I do,” Joslin spluttered.
“Good day. You can expect a visit from a detective inspector.” Hadrian left to join Tilda in the entrance hall and escorted her outside.
“I heard him shouting,” Tilda said.
“He was outraged when I suggested the blackmail gave him a motive to kill the mediums.”
Tilda’s brows shot up. “You did that?”
“He didn’t want to share his story with Scotland Yard. I said that would add suspicion to him when he already had a motive.”
“Well done.” She sounded impressed. “Did he have alibis for the murders?”
“He said he did but did not elaborate. I assume he will provide them to the police.”
“We must go to Scotland Yard to inform Teague,” Tilda said.
“Agreed,” Hadrian replied. “I’ll explain about the blackmail in the coach.”
Instead of sitting beside Tilda, he sat on the opposite seat so that he could face her. “It’s easier to converse like this,” he explained, though he probably didn’t need to.
“Sometimes, yes,” she said with a smile. “How horrid was Joslin’s tale?”
“It didn’t make him likeable.” Hadrian repeated what he’d learned and watched the horror rise in Tilda’s expression.
Tilda briefly covered her mouth with her hand. “Poor Abigail. Did you see any of that when you shook Joslin’s hand after we arrived?”
“Thankfully, no. I saw him at Brooks’s. Rather, I saw myself at Brooks’s because I was experiencing his memory. It’s the first time I’ve seen myself in a vision, and I don’t mind telling you that I didn’t care for it.”
“That would be very strange. What happened?”
“Nothing. It was more of a flash of a vision and was gone as quick as it came.” Hadrian exhaled. “I was most relieved. A vision like that does not bring a headache.”
“I’m certainly glad to hear that,” Tilda said. “We should visit this grocer where the blackmail victims have been directed to pay the extortion. It would be most helpful to establish a connection between the grocer and the society.”
“Agreed. Joslin mentioned the man he paid is called Timms. He described him as very short with dark hair.”
“That doesn’t sound like anyone we’ve met at the society.”
“It does not,” Hadrian said. “Bedfordbury is a terrible slum. You should bring your father’s pistol.”
“I will do that. Perhaps you should also arm yourself.” Tilda looked out the window, her expression contemplative.
“I’m glad you asked about Joslin’s alibis.
I don’t think we can assume this case is closed with Mallory being arrested.
The evidence against him isn’t strong. Joslin has a greater reason to want to kill the mediums than Mallory does, as did Eldred, who was also blackmailed.
We should probably speak with Mrs. Horace Tarrant about her blackmail experience, though I doubt a woman would be strong enough to commit these crimes. At least not without help.”
“I agree. There have to be other victims.”
Tilda nodded. “I hope that Teague has questioned Mallory on this issue. Whilst he won’t want to admit to blackmail, he may do so in order to help find the killer and prove his own innocence.”
“I would certainly do that,” Hadrian said.
“ Blast ,” Tilda said crossly, her eyes flashing. “I saw Joslin’s name in Mallory’s diary. Now that we know Joslin was blackmailed, perhaps other victims are listed within it. I hope Teague will let me review it.”
“An excellent idea. But why does that vex you?”
She crossed her arms over her chest and pursed her lips. “I should have thought of it sooner.”
“You did think of it,” Hadrian said. “And it’s not as if there aren’t a surplus of threads for us to be following at the moment. This investigation is quite complex.”
“You’re right,” Tilda said as she unfolded her arms and allowed her shoulders to relax. “One of those threads is Harmony Smith. I want to find out why she left the society.” Her brow knitted. “This isn’t a thread, but what about your mother? She will know about Hawkins’s death by now.”
Glancing out the window, Hadrian saw they were nearing Scotland Yard. “I forgot to tell you that I sent her a note when I arrived home yesterday evening. I apologized for not calling in person and suggested she pause any further séance attendance.”
“Did she respond?” Tilda asked.
“Not before I left to fetch you. I may call at her house after we visit Scotland Yard.” The coach stopped at their destination.
“Do you think she’ll agree to pause her efforts to communicate with Gabriel?”
Hadrian met her gaze. “I hope so because you and I both know for certain that it’s never going to happen. Furthermore, I won’t allow her to be sucked into becoming a patroness, or worse—becoming their next blackmail victim.”
“But will that happen now that Mallory is arrested?” Tilda mused. “I do wonder what will happen to the society without him at the helm.”
“I hope it dissolves,” Hadrian said. “With complete haste.”