Page 53 of A Whisper at Midnight

Teague arched a sardonic brow. “A woman in a veil? That’s not suspicious. Who was the second visitor?”

“We think it was Massey based on Mrs. Jefford’s description,” Hadrian replied.

“Well, that is interesting,” Teague said slowly, his gaze focused somewhere on the wall behind them as he appeared to be contemplating this latest bit of information.

“I’d like to speak to Massey, but he did not sleep at Beryl’s house last night, nor was he there this morning,” Tilda said. “I don’t suppose you would tell us where we may find him? I suspect he’s wherever he spends the nights he is not at the Chambers’ house.”

Teague hesitated, and Tilda began to grow frustrated. She’d shared a great deal of information with the man. “It’s rather sensitive,” Teague said at last.

Hadrian uncrossed his arms. “In what way?”

“He spends his free nights at a brothel called the Cock and Hen on Craven Street near Charing Cross.” Teague pinned them both with an intense stare. “It is not a typical brothel. He didn’t say what he does there, but I know they cater to a variety of tastes.” He focused on Hadrian. “You can’t take Miss Wren there.”

“I decide where I go, Inspector,” Tilda said crossly.

Hadrian gave Teague a cool smile. “You heard her.”

Teague nodded as he exhaled. “Why do you think Massey visited Miss Farrow?”

“They were friends, according to Beryl,” Tilda replied. “Friends who could have conspired to kill their employer.”

“Massey is not a suspect,” Teague noted. “Unless you’ve deduced something I have not.” He sounded dubious.

“Not yet,” Tilda said with a smile. “My suspects are Beryl, Pollard, Oliver Chambers, and Martha Farrow. Do our lists match?”

“I would add Lord Ravenhurst.” He cast Hadrian an apologetic glance.

Tilda saw Hadrian scowl from the corner of her eye. “I have eliminated him as a suspect. He does not have a strong enough motive, and I believe he was at home all night when Chambers was murdered.”

Teague’s brows slanted down. “Chambers apparently despised him and stole Ravenhurst’s fiancée. You don’t think that is enough motivation?”

“We’ve no idea why Chambers disliked Hadrian so much, and Hadrian certainly didn’t return the sentiment. He hardly thought of the man at all and definitely didn’t hold a grudge over losing Beryl to him. Indeed, Hadrian had decided he and Beryl didn’t suit, so Chambers, in fact, did him a favor.” Tilda didn’t clarify when Hadrian had made that decision, and it sounded as though he’d done so perhaps even whilst they were still betrothed. In fact, she had no issue with Teague interpreting it that way.

“I see. Well, that is helpful to know. I am still not ready to remove Ravenhurst from my list of suspects.”

Tilda hardened her gaze upon Teague. “So long as you also consider that it would benefit the killer if focus was directed at Ravenhurst, who is innocent.”

Teague inclined his head as he moved from behind his desk. “I understand. Now I must be on my way to Spitalfields to take an official report from Mr. and Mrs. Jefford.”

“We’ll leave you to it,” Hadrian said.

“Thank you for the brooch.” Teague gestured toward Tilda with the piece of jewelry.

“We’ll see you at the inquest on Monday,” she replied.

They left Teague’s office, and Tilda couldn’t help feeling slightly frustrated. When they were outside and walking toward Hadrian’s coach, she finally said, “I am trying to think of why the coroner would postpone the inquest to conduct a more thorough post-mortem examination. What prompted him to do that? Or was he instructed to do that by someone else?”

“Who would have done that?” Hadrian asked.

“I’ve no idea. Coroners are often self-important, or so my father used to say. So, it’s perhaps more likely that the decision came from him. I just want to knowwhy.”

They arrived at the coach, and Hadrian pivoted to face her. “I appreciate what you said to Teague about me being innocent.”

“I do trust him to be thorough in his investigation,” she said. “But I also felt the need to point out that there is focus on you when there needn’t be. You did not have a relationship with Beryl, and you did not wish Louis Chambers ill.”

He gave her a faint smile laced with understanding. “I’m sorry you’re aggravated.”

Tilda worked to push her annoyance aside and focus on what she could do to continue her investigation. “At least we can go question Massey now.”