Page 48 of A Whisper in the Shadows

Nevill shook his head. “I was in a hurry to return home. It was late.”

“And Mr. Phelps was alive when you left him?”

“Of course!” Nevill sat stock straight, his eyes rounding. “I’m deeply saddened by what happened. It’s unconscionable.” He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and dashed it over his eyes.

“Thank you, Mr. Nevill.” Thetford turned to the jury. “We will adjourn for a short break. You may stretch your legs, but please don’t speak with anyone and do not leave the room.” The coroner regarded the witnesses next. “I give you the same instruction, including those of you who have already testified. You may be called upon again.” Finally, he looked toward the spectators. “You may stand, but do not speak to the jury or the witnesses. If you choose to leave the room, you will not be readmitted.”

Thetford turned and went to speak with the clerk.

Hadrian turned his body toward Tilda as Maxwell did the same.

Tilda looked to Maxwell. “Eaton has been murdered.”

Maxwell’s eyes rounded. “That changes everything.”

CHAPTER 11

Tilda wasn’t sure how it changed things, though it did complicate their investigation. “What do you mean? Other than that we can’t interview him now.” That was a major disappointment. Now the two men who would know the most about whatever the fraudulent membership scheme may be were dead.

“Yes, that is what I mean. Our investigation has become more difficult.” Maxwell frowned. “How did you find out about Eaton?”

In a hushed tone, Tilda explained what Chisholm had told them earlier.

“Eaton’s murder poses many questions and seems directly connected to our investigation.” Maxwell looked at Hadrian. “It will be most helpful if Nevill and Furnier agree to hire you. Will you speak to them after the inquest?”

“That is my plan,” Hadrian said.

Thetford addressed the room once more and announced the inquest would begin again. He turned toward the witnesses and addressed Furnier. “Mr. Nevill explained how you came to know Mr. Phelps. Was what he said accurate?”

Furnier’s mouth was tightly set. “Yes.”

“Would you say that you and Mr. Phelps developed a friendship like he and Mr. Nevill?” the coroner asked.

“We were not friends, no. We were colleagues.”

Thetford cocked his head. “Why weren’t you friends?”

“We didn’t have a great deal in common. He and Nevill are not married and, apparently, shared an affinity for anightcap.” Furnier sniffed as if he smelled something unpleasant.

“Does it bother you that they didn’t invite you to share their nightcap routine?”

“Not at all,” Furnier replied sharply. “I do not imbibe.”

“You are teetotal then?” Thetford clarified.

“Yes.” Furnier lifted his chin. His expression was that of someone who believed themselves superior.

“Did you have a problem with the society not being teetotal?”

Furnier’s brow creased as he looked up at the coroner with irritation. “Clearly, I do not, or I would not have worked so hard to found it with Nevill and Phelps. I shared their belief that the Amicable Society would be a benefit to the Coleman Street Ward.”

“Thank you, Mr. Furnier. I appreciate your candor,” Thetford said. “Can you tell us how Mr. Eaton was hired to be a canvasser?”

“That was Phelps’s idea.” Furnier’s tone held a faint note of derision, and Tilda wondered if he’d been against hiring Eaton. “I would tell you to ask him, but obviously you cannot. Phelps thought a canvasser would grow our membership more quickly and suggested Eaton. Nevill and I asked to meet with him, which we did. I was impressed with his experience working for the Prudential Assurance Company. However, given what he did whilst recruiting members for the Amicable Society, I regret not speaking with someone there about his tenure. I took Phelps’s assurances.”

“Can you please state what Mr. Eaton did whilst recruiting members for the Amicable Society?” Thetford asked. “Specifically, I would ask that you speak to your knowledge of the collection of fees.”

Tilda leaned forward slightly. This was most important to their investigation.