Page 42 of A Whisper and a Curse (Raven & Wren #3)

T ilda and Hadrian entered the building and were quickly shown to Teague’s office. The detective inspector stood upon seeing them. “You look as though you’ve news to share.”

“We just interviewed Douglas Joslin,” Tilda said. “Rather, Hadrian did most of the interviewing because Mr. Joslin did not wish to share certain information with me.”

Teague arched a brow, his eyes gleaming with great interest. “What was that?”

“He was blackmailed recently, just like Eldred,” Hadrian said. “He suspects the spiritualism society, as Eldred did.” He went on to relate what Joslin had told him. Tilda did not enjoy listening to the tale a second time.

“If Mallory is responsible for the blackmail, I am very curious how he collects this information,” Teague said. “The extortion for Eldred and for Joslin was about events that happened not at all recently.”

Tilda slid a look toward Hadrian. They could not tell Teague the truth—that Mallory had seen these people’s memories. “I’ll be anxious to hear what Mallory says when you ask him that.”

Indeed, Tilda wanted to know if Mallory would expose his ability, though she had to think he would not. How, then, would he explain how he obtained the information he’d used to blackmail people?

Teague nodded vaguely. “This blackmail gives Joslin a motive for murder.”

“It does indeed,” Hadrian agreed. “I told him he would need to provide his alibis to you. He was thoroughly indignant when I suggested he might be a killer.”

“I will call on him shortly.”

“We learned of another blackmail victim from Grenville the other day,” Tilda said. “I apologize that we didn’t share that information yesterday. There was much going on.”

“There was. Who is this victim?” Teague asked.

Tilda explained what Grenville had told them about Mrs. Horace Tarrant. “I’m inclined to think she is not the murderer, given the strength that is needed to levitate the bodies.”

“Still, we will interview her.”

“Discreetly, if you can,” Tilda urged him. “The blackmail was because she’d been having an affair. I’m sure she won’t want anyone to know why you are speaking with her.”

“Understood,” Teague said with a nod. “I am sensitive to such matters.”

“Thank you.” Tilda glanced toward his desk. “I’d like to review Mallory’s diary. I saw Joslin’s name inside when we looked at it yesterday. Now that we know he was blackmailed, perhaps there are other victims listed in the diary.”

“That is good to know.” Teague gave her an apologetic look. “However, I’m sure you understand that I need to review it first, since it is already evidence against Mallory.”

Tilda had been afraid he might say that. “Of course. It sounds as if you’ve much to do in pursuit of Mallory’s blackmail.”

“We do, and I deeply appreciate your help. I have to think Mallory will be helpful, particularly if it will help his cause. He maintains his innocence and claims he loves nothing more in this life than the London Spiritualism Society. He says he would never do anything to harm it or its mediums, whom he cherished as family.”

“Do you believe him?” Hadrian asked.

Teague shrugged. “He’s very convincing. He confessed that the society employs various tricks to entertain people during séances, which gave him a modicum of credibility.

He argued that people expect a thrilling spectacle.

” Teague’s brows rose briefly. “I wanted to tell you that we’ve sent a telegram to his father, Captain Vale.

In all the commotion yesterday at the spiritualism headquarters, I didn’t have a chance to ask you if Thaddeus Vale was related to Captain Vale, who leased the property.

I have since learned he is the man’s son. ”

“We met with Captain Vale when we traveled to Swindon the day before yesterday,” Tilda explained. “I expect he’ll come to London. Captain Vale was concerned for his son because of the murders.”

“He didn’t think his son might have committed them?” Teague asked.

Hadrian shook his head. “No. We didn’t ask him, but I am confident he would have said no.”

Tilda crossed her arms over her chest. “I have to say that I’m not convinced Mallory is the killer.”

“There is a disappointing lack of direct evidence,” Teague said with more than a hint of frustration.

“The fact that he sent you a threatening letter does not prove he is the Levitation Killer.” Teague cursed under his breath.

“Pardon me. I do not care to use that ridiculous term the press has given this heinous murderer.”

“I understand, though it is difficult with so many news stories about it and so much discussion,” Tilda said. Mrs. Acorn had said many people were talking about it at the market that morning.

“If the killer intended to create a spectacle, they have succeeded,” Teague said grimly. “But why? What would be the point?”

“The obvious answer would be to scare mediums and perhaps prevent them from continuing their work,” Tilda replied. “However, they haven’t done so.”

“On the contrary, they’ve continued as if nothing is amiss.” Teague shook his head in disbelief. “The constable who was stationed at the society headquarters this morning reported that they are overrun with people wanting to attend séances and to see where the murders occurred.”

Hadrian wrinkled his nose. “How ghoulish.”

They fell silent a moment, everyone seeming to contemplate the case. Teague exhaled. “I’d best get back to it. I’ll let you know what I learn from the diary. We will find this killer.”

Tilda and Hadrian took their leave a few minutes later.

“I keep thinking about the article Clement wrote,” Tilda said. “I’d like to speak with him. I wonder if he could be persuaded to tell us who else he spoke to besides Harmony Smith.”

“Would you like to visit Fleet Street next?” Hadrian asked.

“I would,” Tilda said. “Thank you.”

However, outside the police station, they encountered two of the mediums from the spiritualism society—Isidora Dryden and the male medium whom Mallory had suggested as a replacement for Lady Ravenhurst after Mrs. Frost had been murdered. Tilda recalled his name was Nigel Edwards.

Miss Dryden’s gray eyes filled with recognition as soon as she saw them. “My lord, Miss Wren. We’ve come to see Lysander. Did you see him?”

“Of course they didn’t,” Edwards, who appeared to be around Tilda’s age, said with a faint sneer.

“They are the reason he was arrested. I’m sure they were here trying to ensure he hangs.

” He fixed Hadrian with an angry stare. “Why do you dislike him so much? He’s done nothing but help people, including your mother! ”

Tilda hadn’t taken Hadrian’s arm when they’d left the station, but she did so now. Immediately, she felt his tension in the stiffness of his arm.

“You mustn’t shout like that, Nigel,” Miss Dryden said.

She sniffed and blinked, as if she were trying not to dissolve into tears.

Her cheeks and small, pert nose were flushed.

“My apologies, Lord Ravenhurst. We are very upset about Lysander. He is not a killer. We’re sick that he’s been imprisoned.

I imagine he’s cold and hungry. And probably in need of a bath.

” Her features pinched, making her appear quite stricken.

Edwards put his arm around Miss Dryden and gave her a squeeze. “All will turn out well, Isidora. It has to.” He looked to Hadrian and ducked his chin. “Please accept my apologies, my lord. This is a very trying time, and I’m afraid my emotions—indeed, all our emotions—are high.”

Miss Dryden nodded as she pressed a gloved fingertip to the corner of one eye.

Tilda didn’t doubt their upset, even if they did work to defraud people. She wondered how involved the mediums were with the implementation of the society’s trickery. Surely they were well-versed in the cheats that were used during the séances, but what of the blackmailing?

“We shall see for ourselves how Lysander is doing,” Edwards went on.

Miss Dryden looked to Tilda. “We are here to visit him. It’s so difficult without him,” she said somewhat dramatically. “We are doing our best to carry on.”

Edwards turned toward Miss Dryden and took her hand. “Listen to me, my dear, Lysander will guide us. Even now, Mercy is settling into Rathbone Place and will hold a magnificent séance tonight. The society is truly thriving.”

Thriving? With three dead mediums? Tilda stared at them.

A smile lifted Miss Dryden’s lips, and she briefly closed her eyes as she exhaled.

“You are right, Nigel.” She released his hands and looked to Tilda and Hadrian.

“It’s astonishing how many people have come to support the society today.

They want to become patrons or members, and they want to attend séances.

That is why Mercy is hosting one this evening.

” She looked at Hadrian expectantly. “Will you be coming, my lord?”

Tilda’s breath stalled in her lungs. She worried what Miss Dryden’s question could mean.

Hadrian had stiffened. “No, I have not been invited. Should I have been?”

Miss Dryden blushed faintly. “I thought you might have been since the séance is for Lady Ravenhurst. Perhaps you have not yet received the invitation.” She looked away from Hadrian as her voice trailed off.

Glancing sideways at Hadrian, Tilda could see that he’d clenched his jaw. She smiled at the mediums. “We must be off. Please excuse us.”

Tilda pulled Hadrian toward the coach, which was a short walk away. He fell into step beside her, moving woodenly as he stared straight ahead.

When they reached the coach, he blinked and fixed his attention on Leach. “We’ll be taking Miss Wren home. Then to my mother’s.”

Leach nodded as he held the door and helped Tilda inside. She sat on the forward-facing seat and was not surprised when Hadrian sat opposite her instead of next to her. His agitation was palpable.

“You’re upset that your mother is attending another séance.”

“And didn’t include us.” His eyes glittered with anger. “I am her son, and you are her investigator.”