Page 15 of A Whisper at Midnight

“In that case, she needs someone to find the truth. You must investigate. I’ll hire you on her behalf.” Hadrian had hired her for their last investigation, which had started as a search for the man who’d stabbed him.

“You can’t keep paying me to conduct investigations.”

He arched a dark brow. “Isn’t that what you do?” His tone was wry, and Tilda had to keep from rolling her eyes.

“Yes, but last time you had a personal stake because you were nearly killed.” Tilda cocked her head. “Unless, you also have a personal stake in this investigation?”

“I do if Teague considers me a suspect.”

Tilda saw the constable walk through the entrance hall on his way outside, presumably to interview Leach about Hadrian’s departure from Arthur’s last night. “The constable just went out,” she said.

Hadrian glanced at the window. “Even if Teague doesn’t consider me a suspect, I am still under investigation.” He met Tilda’s gaze. “As such, I want to hire you to prove someone else committed the murder.”

She couldn’t find fault with that, even if she didn’t really want to take money from him again now that they were friends. She could also not deny the fact that she was most eager to investigate this murder—almost as eager as she was to ensure Hadrian wasn’t harmed by the investigation. To be accused of murder would be an ugly affair, and it was already bad enoughthat he had to revisit the aborted betrothal in his past. “Are you serious about hiring me?”

He smiled. “Quite. You are now officially on the case. If you agree. Please agree.”

Tilda wanted to make sure he knew what he was asking her to do. “What if I find that Beryl killed her husband?”

He met her gaze with an intense stare. “I trust that you will discover the truth, whatever it is.”

Glad to hear him say that, Tilda inclined her head. “Yes, I will investigate this for you.” He smiled in relief, and she knew she’d made the right decision to help him. “I want to see what else I can learn here. Let us return to the study.”

“Allow me to escort you,” he said pleasantly. And they were now officially back in the roles they’d occupied during their last investigation. Or were they?

Tilda had started toward the entrance hall but turned to face him. “Are you planning to assist me as before?”

“Won’t my cursed gift be of use to you? I also hope I contribute to the investigation with my intellect.”

“Both are useful,” Tilda replied as she turned toward the entrance hall. “I would see Mrs. Chambers before we go. I need to speak with her about the missing jewelry and whether she wants me to continue looking for it.”

Hadrian followed her into the entrance hall. “Is her missing jewelry now part of the murder investigation?”

Tilda paused. “It is indeed.” Now she needn’t worry about whether Mrs. Chambers would pay her. Since Hadrian was now funding the investigation, that would include Tilda’s pursuit of the missing heirlooms.

As they walked together to the study, Tilda was aware of Hadrian’s proximity. She caught his scent, a distinctive cologne he wore. It was pleasing, though she could not detect the individual fragrances within it. Hadrian likely could, and notbecause he’d purchased it, but because he had a nose for such things.

Shehadmissed seeing him, even though it had barely been a week since they’d concluded their investigation. Now, they were doing it again. She couldn’t deny it was thrilling.

Her father had been a police sergeant on the verge of promotion to the Detective Branch when he’d been killed as he encountered a theft taking place. He’d taught Tilda everything she knew about observing situations and people, as well as how to solve problems and find answers. If she’d been able, she would have joined the police herself.

As they entered the sitting room, Hadrian waved at her to stop. He crept toward the door to the study and motioned for her to move in front of him. Putting his finger to his lips, he inclined his head toward the doorway.

Tilda listened and made out the conversation between Teague and the valet.

“Mr. Chambers returned from his club around midnight,” Massey said. “I undressed him and took my leave. It was my regular night off. Each fortnight I have a night to myself.”

“Then why were you here so late?” Teague asked.

“Mr. Chambers prefers I’m here to help him undress and take care of his clothing. In exchange, he does not expect me to return until mid-morning.”

“And where do you go?”

There was an extended silence before the valet answered. “Is that important?”

“We need everyone to provide an alibi.”

Another silence before Massey said something Tilda couldn’t make out.