Page 84 of A Whisper in the Shadows

“That’s an interesting perspective,” Maxwell said. He looked to Hadrian. “How was your conversation with Dr. Giles?”

Hadrian was itching to tell Tilda what he’d seen when shaking everyone’s hands, but that would have to wait. Instead, he shared what he’d learned from Dr. Giles. “I do think he’s still a suspect,” Hadrian concluded. “He was angry about Eaton profiting from the society, whilst the doctor’s career has not been aided by his involvement. I’m not sure he’s going to help me identify which of Eaton’s recruits are ill.”

“That’s unfortunate,” Maxwell said. “Whatever happens with the investigation, I hope those people get their money back.”

“It depends on if the funds can be recovered,” Tilda said. “I wonder how much was under Phelps’s floorboards and if it can be proven to belong to the society.”

Hadrian glanced over at her. “Giles suggested that whoever killed Eaton stole the money from him.”

“That’s a fascinating idea,” Tilda replied. “And believable. Who do we think killed Eaton? And where? It seems the knife Jarret told us about could be the murder weapon, but does that mean Phelps killed him?”

Anticipation pulsed through Hadrian. He wanted to respond that Eaton had been killed at Phelps’s house and that both Phelps and Nevill had been present. He’d never been more frustrated by Maxwell’s presence than he was in that moment. The man had completely come between him and Tilda and the way they worked together to solve things.

“It occurred to me whilst I was speaking with Dr. Giles that the blade used to kill Eaton could have been something from a surgeon’s kit,” Hadrian said. “Dr. Giles has worked as a surgeon on occasion in order to meet his financial needs.”

Tilda’s eyes gleamed with interest—and admiration. “Excellent deductive reasoning.”

Hadrian preened inwardly at her praise, which was a trifle silly. And yet it wasn’t—he was beginning to acknowledge just how much her opinion meant to him.

Maxwell came to a stop and turned toward Tilda. “We shouldn’t accompany you to Mrs. Burley’s house. You’ll be better on your own.” He glanced at Hadrian. “We’ll loiter at the end of the street.”

“Brilliant,” Tilda replied. “Then afterward, we’ll meet with Clement at the Lion’s Heart. I do hope we’ll be able to narrow the list of suspects soon.”

“For which crime?” Maxwell asked with a faint smile.

At least for Eaton’s, Hadrian thought to himself. He began to despair that he wouldn’t be able to tell Tilda what he knew until after they met with Clement. He disliked that she didn’t have allthe information he did and would be making further inquiries without it.

This wasn’t efficient.

And it was damned frustrating.

CHAPTER 19

Whilst Hadrian and Maxwell loitered on London Wall at the end of Second Postern, Tilda made her way to Mrs. Burley’s house. She knocked on the door and was pleased when Mrs. Burley answered almost immediately.

The older woman brightened upon seeing Tilda. “I saw you walking up the street, Mrs. Harwood. My husband said you called yesterday, and that I missed something very exciting at Mr. Phelps’s house. Do come in!”

Tilda braced herself for the gossip session that was to come. “Thank you.” She stepped into the small entrance hall that was really just a landing for the stairs leading up to the first floor.

Mrs. Burley closed the door, then moved past Tilda into the small parlor that looked out to the street. “I planned to call on you tomorrow, but I’m glad you came today, as I was feeling rather impatient to speak with you.” She laughed brightly. “Can I offer you tea?”

Tilda gave her a pleasant smile. “No, thank you. I can’t stay too long, as I need to meet Mr. Harwood.”

Mrs. Burley nodded and gestured toward the seating area. She took a seat in a well-worn chair upholstered with yellow damask. “Mr. Burley says you saw a woman being taken away byInspector Chisholm from Mr. Phelps’s house last night. I’m very disappointed I missed that.”

Tilda sat opposite her hostess in a chair with a dull yellow cushion. “Yes, my brother and I just happened to be walking by last night and saw what happened. I almost didn’t come here to ask, but I’m afraid my curiosity got the better of me.” She cast her gaze down briefly as if she were embarrassed.

“I do understand.” Mrs. Burley gave her a knowing look. “I wonder who it was.”

Seizing the opportunity to obliquely ask about Mrs. Cardy’s visit to Phelps, Tilda grimaced faintly. “Do you think it may have been Mrs. Cardy? I can imagine her confronting Phelps. I might do that if I were in her position. In fact, I thought I’d heard she called on him before he died.” It was a risk to mention that last part since there was no such rumor, and if there was, Mrs. Burley would surely have heard it.

Mrs. Burley met Tilda’s gaze. “Where did you hear that?”

“I don’t recall. Is it not true? I wouldn’t blame her for seeking him out.”

“Itistrue,” Mrs. Burley said softly and exhaled. “However, Mrs. Cardy didn’t visit Phelps on Monday night—it was Sunday afternoon, and I was with her. But you mustn’t tell anyone because I was not forthcoming about our visit at the inquest. I didn’t want the police to have any more reason to suspect Mrs. Cardy of murdering Phelps. She didn’t do it.”

“You’re certain of that?” Tilda asked.