Page 48 of A Whisper and a Curse (Raven & Wren #3)

“I’ve been lingering around the houses where the murders occurred,” Clement replied.

“I encountered Miss Smith as she left Willow Street the evening before last, and I spoke to the Henrys on Saturday after they departed Rathbone Place.” His brows gathered.

“I will say that the Henrys were divided on speaking with me at all. Ellen seemed eager to answer my questions, but her brother didn’t want her to.

The society frowns on their employees speaking to people about the workings of the society. ”

“What did they tell you?” Tilda asked, wondering if she too sounded breathless.

Clement sat back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. “I’ll share that after you reveal whatever you learned at Scotland Yard.”

Tilda found that reasonable. “There has been another murder.”

Clement’s nostrils flared as he unfolded his arms and lightly slapped his palm against the table. “I knew it. Which medium was found dangling now?”

Tilda curled her lip at the crudeness of his question. “First, tell me what the Henrys told you.”

Without hesitation, Clement said, “Ellen said they accepted employment at the society in order to train as mediums. They were told they would move up in the household and become full-fledged mediums. As such, they’d earn a robust living—or so they believed.

Since the murders, Ellen has decided she wants to leave, but her brother does not share her desire. Jacob ended the interview after that.”

“Did they not tell you about the pearl earring that was found?” Hadrian asked.

Clement glanced away and seemed to have grown uncomfortable. “I gleaned that morsel from the police.”

Tilda could not imagine Teague saying anything. “Did you bribe someone?”

Eyes flashing with guilt, Clement pursed his lips. “Sometimes it’s necessary.”

“Who did you bribe?” Tilda asked. “Tell me and I’ll tell you which medium was killed—and how. Otherwise, you can wait to find out until the inquest.”

“It wasn’t someone currently with the police. His name is Padgett.”

Tilda kept herself from reacting. Padgett had been the inspector who’d investigated the attack on Hadrian, as well as a similar attack on another gentlemen that had left the man dead. Padgett had been bribed to bury his reports, but he’d escaped punishment by retiring from the police.

Hadrian scoffed. “Of course it was Padgett.”

Clement appeared intrigued. “You know him?”

“Regrettably.”

Tilda looked over at Hadrian. “Padgett must receive information from someone still working for the police. How disappointing.” She pinned Clement with a hard stare. “I would caution you not to trust Padgett.”

“He does seem slightly … sordid,” Clement said with a faint shrug.

Hadrian settled back in his chair and gave Clement a dismissive look. “Yet that didn’t stop you from bribing him for information.”

Clement turned his attention to Tilda. “Who was murdered?”

“The very medium you interviewed for your article: Harmony Smith.”

Clement paled. “That can’t be. She was going home to her sister in Brixton.”

Tilda didn’t doubt the man’s distress. “I’m afraid it’s true. Though she was not killed in the same manner. She was found in Leicester Square, likely poisoned.” She gave him a pointed look. “You mustn’t print that until after the inquest determines her cause of death.”

“I can hardly believe it. She did not deserve that end.” Clement bowed his head a moment. “This is terrible.”

“It is,” Tilda said gently. “I am committed to finding the killer before anyone else dies.”

The reporter snapped his head up. Color returned to his face. “Mallory has been arrested.” He pressed his lips together. “He could not have killed Harmony.”

Tilda told him the same thing she’d said to Hadrian. “He could be responsible even if he didn’t do the actual deed. I will discover the truth. I’ve something else to share, but I want you to tell me about Harmony Smith first. Agreed?”

“What do you want to know?”

“When did she become a medium?” Tilda asked.

Clement nodded. “Only a few weeks ago. Like the Henrys, she was hired for domestic service whilst she trained to be a medium. She enjoyed it and said she had a flair for performance, so she was promoted from housekeeping and cooking duties. She was assigned as a maid to Mrs. Griswold and Miss Dryden at the headquarters. After moving to Cadogan Place, she conducted one séance before the first murder. She was to conduct a second the other day, but she said she was too skittish after Mrs. Frost was killed. Then she decided she wanted to return home until the killer was caught.” He frowned as he met Tilda’s gaze once more.

“She was afraid. She said she wanted to be far away from the Levitation Killer. She was also adamant that Mallory is not guilty.”

Hadrian studied Clement with a furrowed brow. “Why didn’t your story include any of the information about these medium apprenticeships?”

“The newspaper editor preferred I focus on the murders for now,” Clement replied. “I hope to publish another article about the society soon.”

“You said she moved to Cadogan Place. Why didn’t she live at the headquarters whilst she was in domestic service?” Tilda thought of how the other retainers she’d met, notably the Henry siblings, didn’t live where they worked either.

“She only said they had to earn their place there. And before you ask, she would not tell me where she resided before moving to Cadogan Place. She said it was a society secret.”

“But she was leaving the society,” Hadrian said. “Why not tell you?”

“She was leaving temporarily because she was afraid, not because she didn’t like the society,” Clement explained. “She planned to return once the murderer was caught. Though perhaps he already has been.”

Tilda decided Clement had more than earned another piece of information. “Mallory will be released today.”

Clement’s brows shot up. “Why?”

Tilda explained the lack of evidence. She considered everything Clement had told them about Harmony Smith and was sorry she wouldn’t have a chance to talk to the woman herself. She was even sorrier that Harmony hadn’t found her way home.

“Thank you for your time and willingness to share information, Mr. Clement,” Tilda said.

“I appreciate you doing the same. You are investigating this case, Miss Wren, despite your denial. Did someone hire you?”

Tilda couldn’t help repeating what she’d told him before when he’d asked if she was investigating. “I can’t say at the moment.” She gave him an apologetic smile, then rose. Hadrian stood beside her.

Clement also vacated his chair. “If I can ever be of service, I hope you’ll let me know. I don’t suppose you’ll tell me where your investigation is taking you next?”

“We have yet to decide,” Tilda fibbed. She didn’t want the reporter following them.

“I’d be keen to exchange information again.”

Tilda arched a brow at the reporter. “Then you’d best learn something more to share.” She flashed him a smile before turning away from the table.

Hadrian escorted her from the coffee shop, and they returned to his coach. Hadrian told Leach to make sure they weren’t followed by a man in loud plaid pants.

Hadrian sat opposite her in the coach and donned a pensive expression. “What do you think of the medium apprentice scheme?”

“I should love to speak with Mallory about why he does that. Perhaps we can call at the headquarters after we visit the grocer. Assuming Mallory has been released.”

“I’ve no quarrel with that. Do you think Harmony Smith knew the identity of the killer?” Hadrian asked.

“I’ve been wondering that. It’s an excellent motive for someone to murder her.”

Hadrian tipped his head. “Is that perhaps why the second and third mediums were killed? Ward was killed, and then the others followed because they learned who did it?”

“That is certainly possible, but we still don’t know why someone would kill Ward, unless it was one of their blackmail victims.”

“And if any of the mediums had known, why wouldn’t they have informed Scotland Yard?”

“They may not have had a chance. Or they were too afraid. Or perhaps they weren’t certain.” Tilda exhaled.

They rode in silence a few moments before Hadrian asked, “What do you plan to ask at the grocer?”

“Well, I can’t very well march in and accuse them of collecting extortion for the spiritualism society,” she said with a sardonic smile.

“Should we pretend we are paying blackmail?” Hadrian suggested.

“I thought of that, but I have to think they know who they are extorting.”

Hadrian sat straight, his eyes flashing with inspiration. “Eldred didn’t pay—I could pretend to be him.”

Tilda laughed. “I don’t think anyone would mistake you for him. We could, however, pretend to be his agents.”

Hadrian grinned. “You are very clever indeed.”

They arrived in Bedfordbury a few minutes later. The street was in terrible shape, though not as bad as Flower and Dean Street, which Tilda and Hadrian had visited during their last investigation. The coach stopped near the grocer.

“I have my pistol,” Tilda said, lifting her reticule.

“And I have mine.” Hadrian smoothed his hand over the side of his coat. “I hope we won’t need them.”

“I can’t believe we will, particularly in broad daylight.” Tilda stepped out of the coach with Leach’s assistance.

Hadrian followed and addressed his coachman. “Keep a close watch. I would make sure the pistol beneath the seat is well within reach.”

“Always, my lord,” Leach said with a nod.

Tilda turned to Hadrian. “We must appear nervous and worried. Try to lose your earl swagger.”

Leach chuckled, and Hadrian smirked.

“I don’t swagger, do I?” Hadrian asked. “Leach, stop laughing.”

“You walk like an earl, my lord.” Leach composed himself.

“Shall I drag my feet?” Hadrian demonstrated a rather lead-footed walk.

“Just dip your head a bit and perhaps stoop a little,” Tilda suggested. “Whatever you can do to make yourself look less … impressive.”

Hadrian curled his shoulders forward. “Like that?”