Page 33 of A Whisper in the Shadows
“Blond hair and mustache, cleft chin. And he seemed…cheerful, which is, I think, how Mrs. Vickers and the barman described him. He also has an abnormality that could verify his identity. He’s missing nearly half the little finger on his left hand.”
Her gaze shone with admiration. “Excellent detail.”
“What I don’t know is whose memory I was seeing. I wonder if it might have been Rippon, since we know he met Eaton here on Saturdays. Also, the image came when I thought of his name.”
Tilda drew in a breath. “That isfascinating. Perhaps you’re learning how to control what you see.”
“It does seem so, as I was able to guide things just now. We’ll see if that continues.” Hadrian was not yet ready to declare his efforts a success. He took another sip of ale.
“I shall remain cautiously optimistic.” Tilda smiled. “Did you glean anything else from what you saw?”
“No. It appeared to just be a conversation. Eaton spoke animatedly and appeared in high spirits. I would say whoever he was speaking to is a friend.”
“This was a successful inquiry.” Tilda glanced back toward the bar. “We have a name for someone to speak with at the assurance company—Rippon. I’d like to take an omnibus to Fleet Street to speak with Mr. Clement, but I should speak with Inspector Maxwell first to ensure he supports asking for Clement’s assistance.” She let out a soft exhale of disappointment.
“I’ll escort you back to White Alley, then I should probably return home, since it will be time for me to go to work at the gentlemen’s club.” Hadrian scowled briefly with disappointment. “I would much rather remain with you to continue the investigation, particularly given Phelps’s murder.”
Her gaze was sympathetic. “I understand. I wouldn’t want to leave either.”
“Perhaps I should lose my job and try to obtain employment as a canvasser at the Amicable Society,” Hadrian suggested. “With Eaton gone and now Phelps murdered, it would seem they are in need of help.”
“That is an intriguing thought.” Tilda fell silent for a moment, her expression pensive. “We shall have to propose it to Maxwell.”
“I would hope he’d support it. Working for the society would give us a great deal of access to its function.”
Tilda’s eyes gleamed with anticipation. “It would indeed. I shall speak to Maxwell about this scheme this evening.”
How Hadrian disliked having to gain Maxwell’s approval during this investigation. He was used to making the decisions with Tilda and them guiding their own inquiries. “I’m sure you’ll convince him of the benefits. After all, he was clever enough to hire you.”
“I should like to persuade him to allow me to make inquiries without discussing them with him first. I will try. Shall we go?” She started to rise.
Hadrian took a long drink of his ale as he stood. “Ready.”
He hoped Tilda would find success with Maxwell. They had established an excellent and effective investigative process. It wasn’t helpful for them to have to seek the inspector’s approval at every turn.
Hadrian missed when it was just the two of them.
CHAPTER 8
Inspector Maxwell returned from his workday, eager to hear what Tilda might have learned. Mrs. Kilgore served them a robust stew for dinner.
Before they sat down at the table, Maxwell informed her that he’d gone to the police station to speak with Inspector Chisholm. Unfortunately, he hadn’t been there. Tilda didn’t mask her disappointment. There was no reason to, for Maxwell shared it.
During the meal, Tilda revealed what she and Hadrian had learned from Mrs. Vickers and the barkeep about Timothy Eaton. She did not, of course, disclose anything to do with Hadrian’s visions, but they hadn’t yielded anything terribly helpful as of yet. Furthermore, she’d have to come up with a way to share that information without explaining how they’d actually learned it. Meaning, she and Hadrian had to first confirm it in another way.
As they finished eating, Tilda told Maxwell about Rippon, Eaton’s colleague at the Prudential Assurance Company and frequent companion at the Wolf and Dove. “I should like to speak with him, but I worry we—that includes you and Ravenhurst—ought not to conduct too many inquiries, lest we stir up suspicion.”
Maxwell’s brows drew together as he set his spoon down and leaned back against his chair. “That is a concern.”
“I’ve a suggestion that I hope you might find agreeable,” Tilda said. “I’ve worked with a journalist in the past, Mr. Ezra Clement at theDaily News. We’ve shared information, and he was very helpful in solving the last case I worked on. We could have him make inquiries at the assurance company.”
“I’m not sure I want to work with a reporter.” Maxwell frowned briefly. His hesitation reminded Tilda of Hadrian’s disdain for Clement in particular, though he was coming around. “You trust him?”
“I do,” Tilda said with confidence. “I think he would be interested in the story of the murder of Mr. Phelps, particularly given the alleged fraud.”
Maxwell sat forward, his eyes sparking with alarm. “It would be best if he didn’t publish anything whilst we are in the midst of our investigation.”
“Of course, and that would be a requirement,” Tilda said firmly, seeking to ease Maxwell’s concern. “We’ll share the details with him for his story, so that he may publish the exclusive account. In exchange, he’ll interview Mr. Rippon at the Prudential Assurance Company about Mr. Eaton. We’d like to know why his employment was terminated and his reaction to that, as well as anything Rippon can tell us about Eaton joining the Amicable Society. Ideally, Rippon will also be able to tell us where we can find Eaton now.”