Page 106 of A Whisper at Midnight

“She did not, as it happens. Teague said he’d let me know when he heard something. I received a note requesting my presence at Scotland Yard earlier.”

Hadrian grinned. “I imagine you could not arrive fast enough.”

Tilda inclined her head with the flash of a smile. “I went as soon as I could and learned that Mr. Frederick Rowdon died of gastrointestinal illness in September of 1865. His wife, Gillian Styles-Rowdon, was his sole heir and left Portsmouth soon thereafter.”

“Sole heir … Was there a considerable inheritance?”

“That is uncertain. Mr. Rowdon was in his fifties when he died and had served in the Navy. He owned a few fishing boats.”

“Mrs. Styles-Rowdon was quite a bit younger than him.”

“Yes. I have many questions, but Teague isn’t sure he has enough evidence of anything to pursue. The man’s death could have been caused by arsenic, but it could also have been illness, even cholera. Teague will inform me if he learns anything more.” Tilda frowned slightly. “I wonder if we ought to take a trip to Portsmouth.” They’d traveled to Brighton whilst investigating their last case.

Hadrian tapped his finger on the arm of his chair. “Perhaps. Though I should like to see what we can learn from Mrs. Styles-Rowdon.” He lifted a shoulder. “I was able to ascertain where she’d lived with her husband and when he’d died.”

“She seems to like you,” Tilda mused, thinking of the way the woman had been looking at Hadrian the day before—as if he were a food to be devoured. “Though any vision you happen tosee will not be evidence, unfortunately. Are you hoping to coax a confession from her?”

“That is my thought exactly. I am not above using her … inclination for me to our advantage.”

“You said you flirted with her yesterday, and you did obtain results.” She gave him an approving smile. “You are becoming an accomplished investigator. I do hope you won’t decide to take up the profession and steal my clients.”

“Never,” he said rather vehemently but with a glint of humor in his eyes. “I have learned to portray someone I am not from watching you. You are an excellent tutor in all things investigative.”

“What do you propose with Mrs. Styles-Rowdon?” Tilda asked. “Could you invite her somewhere? I could use that time to steal into her house and look for Beryl’s rubies. That would confirm she was indeed Louis Chambers’ paramour.”

“What of her retainers? How will you enter the house without being detected?”

“I’ll have to do some reconnaissance as to how I may enter and how many retainers she has.” She looked to Hadrian. “I suppose that means we need to return to Beryl’s. I’m sorry. I know you’d like to be done with all this.”

He flattened his palm on the arm of his chair. “On the one hand, I am eager to put my past with Beryl behind me once and for all. On the other, the poisoning crime has not been solved, and justice must be served.”

She clasped her hands in her lap. “I’m so glad you think so.”

“One of the reasons I enjoy my other occupation—serving in the Lords—is the opportunity I have to work towards justice for all.”

“You see it as a noble calling.”

He nodded once. “I do. It pleases me to know you understand that.”

“Are you in support of the cessation of public executions?” Tilda suspected he was, but they hadn’t discussed it.

“Most fervently. I have been speaking about it as often as I can. In truth, I would rather we didn’t execute people at all.”

“Even in the case of murder?”

“To take a person’s life is no small thing,” Hadrian said softly. “Murders happen for a variety of reasons. However, for the state to murder someone takes many people, all of whom must carry that burden.”

“That includes you.” Tilda met his gaze. “And me. We played a role in bringing Joanna Pollard to justice. If she hangs, I don’t know that I’ll feel burdened. I am not troubled by the death of the man we recently caught.”

Hadrian scowled. “He was truly horrible. He had raped and murdered. And would have done so again. However, lifelong imprisonment would ensure he did not.”

“So does death,” Tilda replied, enjoying their debate.

“You are in favor of capital punishment then?”

“I am undecided,” she said. “You have given me pause to think about it. Thank you. Now, where were we with our plans to further investigate Mrs. Styles-Rowdon?”

“We decided we needed to call on Beryl. I’ll ring for the coach.” Hadrian stood and went to the wall where he pulled a cord.