Page 95 of A Whisper in the Shadows

“We are still in the process of identifying those victims,” Hadrian noted. “I don’t think the investigation can be concluded until that has happened. And how will they recover their funds? What of the money Mrs. Walters found at her husband’s house? I should think that would be payable to the victims of his fraud.”

“It will be,” Chisholm said. “Once Mrs. Walters’s trial is complete. If she’ll admit her guilt, things should happen fairly quickly.”

“What is your next step in determining Phelps’s killer?” Tilda asked. “Do you believe Mrs. Walters that she didn’t kill him?”

“I’m inclined to, but she’s not trustworthy,” Chisholm replied. “Nevill remains a suspect. If Mrs. Walters was the woman who called on Phelps that night, that may eliminate Mrs. Cardy and Mrs. Atkins as suspects. Though I’m not sure Mrs. Atkins had a strong motive anyway.”

“What of Furnier or Dr. Giles?” Tilda asked. “Surely their motives are the same or similar to that of Mr. Nevill.”

“Yes, but they weren’t seen at his house Monday night, and Nevill was.” Chisholm’s gaze glimmered with purpose. “It’s time for me to have another conversation with the tailor and to search his residence.”

“To hopefully find the missing candlestick?” Hadrian asked.

Tilda doubted the inspector would be so fortunate. Keeping the murder weapon would be an incredibly foolish thing to do.

“That or any other evidence,” Chisholm replied.

Tilda and Hadrian took their leave a few minutes later, departing as they’d entered, through the rear of the station.

Waiting until they were nearing Gresham Street, Tilda looked over at Hadrian. “What did you see when you helped Mrs. Walters up?”

“She was at Mrs. Atkins’s doorway speaking with Mrs. Atkins. I couldn’t hear what she was saying, of course, but I was able to discern Mrs. Atkins’s derision. She was looking at Mrs. Walters as if she were a street urchin begging for food.”

“I’m not surprised that she found Mrs. Walters wanting,” Tilda said with a shake of her head. “Anything else?”

“Mrs. Atkins waved her hand dismissively and laughed, just as Mrs. Walters described. This angered Mrs. Walters. That’s all I saw.”

“Well, it’s good to have confirmation, since Mrs. Walters isn’t reliable.”

They turned to walk along Basinghall Street. “You didn’t offer any information to help Chisholm with the murder investigation,” Hadrian said.

“I didn’t think he’d want my input.”

“Do you think Nevill is the strongest suspect now?”

Tilda didn’t immediately respond as she was still considering this latest development about Mrs. Walters and Mrs. Atkins meeting. It didn’t appear that Mrs. Atkins was aware of Mrs. Walters’s identity, however.

“He does seem the likeliest culprit,” Tilda said. “I do wonder why Mrs. Atkins hasn’t mentioned the woman who called on her about Phelps on Monday. It seems as though she should have shared that information at Phelps’s inquest.”

“It does indeed,” Hadrian replied. “Does this make her look more guilty?”

“It certainly raises questions. We should perhaps try to learn more from her, but I almost hate to ask you to participate, given the way she behaves with you.” She sent him an apologetic glance.

Hadrian chuckled. “I have survived many a managing mother in Society as they sought to match me with their daughters. She is not terribly different. I confess, I find her company distasteful, but my reasons go beyond her fascination with me. I don’t care for her disregard of Mrs. Cardy and the others who have suffered from Eaton and Phelps’s fraud.”

Tilda smiled at him as they continued past Gresham Street on their way to Evans Court. “I am not surprised to hear that. We will discuss Mrs. Atkins and what to do about her later. Let usturn our attention to the night soil man. I hope we’ll be able to speak with him.”

“You didn’t mention him to Chisholm either,” Hadrian noted.

“I’m not sure he pertains to Chisholm’s investigation. Since the inspector seems inclined to keep the cases separate, who am I to ignore his preferences?” She lifted a shoulder, and Hadrian laughed.

“You are as cunning as you are curious. I shall be forever grateful that we are partners.”

His words warmed her in ways she would rather they didn’t, reminding her that their association went deeper than the investigations they worked to solve. She met his gaze briefly. “So shall I.”

CHAPTER 21

Hadrian enjoyed these days when they were in the thick of an investigation. He especially loved watching Tilda in her element. She’d managed things very well at the police station. Chisholm had no idea that she’d out-investigated him. At least in Hadrian’s opinion.