Page 15 of A Whisper in the Shadows (Raven & Wren #4)
“Do you know of any family or friends he may have gone to stay with?” Tilda hoped Mrs. Vickers could give them something that would help them find Eaton.
“Never mentioned any family,” Mrs. Vickers replied. “I asked ’im once, and ’e said he didn’t ’ave any. I don’t know ’bout friends, but ’e spent a fair amount of time at the Wolf and Dove up on Gresham Street.”
The pub would be a helpful avenue to investigate. “I don’t suppose you’d allow us to look in Mr. Eaton’s former bedchamber?” Tilda asked.
Mrs. Vickers gave them a brief, apologetic smile. “I have another lodger in there now.”
“The person who hired us to find Mr. Eaton hasn’t seen him in some time,” Tilda said.
“I wonder if you could describe what he looks like now? For instance, does he still have a mustache?” Tilda made that up to give the impression that they at least had some idea of his appearance—and it didn’t matter that it wasn’t true because Eaton could have shaved.
Mrs. Vickers surprised Tilda by blushing.
“Tim’s a handsome one. Bright blond curls and shining blue eyes.
And a smile that turns ’eads. ’E still has the mustache, and I’ve never seen a finer one, truth be told.
But it’s the dimple in ’is chin that drew my eye.
Not as tall as you, Mr. Becket, but not short. ”
Tilda looked over at Hadrian and gave him a subtle nod to convey she was finished with the interview. She rose. “Thank you for speaking with us, Mrs. Vickers. We appreciate your time.”
Hadrian also stood as Mrs. Vickers jumped to her feet.
She escorted them to the entrance hall. “I do ’ope you find ’im. Why are you looking for ’im anyway?”
“We aren’t able to say,” Tilda replied with bland smile.
“In fact, it might be best if you didn’t mention that we came here today asking after him.” Hadrian gave Mrs. Vickers one of his thoroughly charming smiles. “Would that be all right?”
Mrs. Vickers blushed again. “Certainly, whatever you say.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Vickers,” Hadrian said warmly. “You’ve been most helpful.”
As they started back toward Gresham Street, Tilda chuckled softly. “Were you trying to charm Mrs. Vickers into keeping our visit secret?”
Hadrian shrugged. “It seemed like a good idea.”
“It was indeed. You quite dazzled her, I think. It seems she has a penchant for handsome men. She was clearly drawn in by Timothy Eaton.”
“I’m glad you asked what he looks like. If I see him in a vision, I’ll be better able to recognize him.” Hadrian looked over at her as they walked. “We should visit that pub. To see if anyone there knows Eaton and might have an idea where he went.”
“I was thinking the same thing,” Tilda said.
“I’d also like to visit the Prudential Assurance Company to find out why they sacked him.
” She frowned slightly. “Though I’m concerned about doing too much work as investigators.
I don’t want to expose our identities. Word could spread that someone is conducting an investigation. ”
“We could visit the Wolf and Dove in our disguises, and I could pretend to be a friend of Eaton’s who’s just moved to the neighborhood.” Hadrian frowned. “Except I don’t have any glue to reapply my hair pieces.”
“Perhaps if you keep your hat pulled down, it won’t matter. It’s not ideal, but at least your clothing is appropriate to your disguise.” She glanced down at the newer garment she was wearing, a dark gray gown. “Unlike mine.”
“I agree that it should be fine this once for the pub, especially at this hour of the day,” Hadrian said. “I don’t expect it will be busy. However, I don’t think I should visit the Prudential Assurance Company without my full disguise.”
“I agree. In fact, it’s probably best if you and I don’t go there at all.” An idea struck her. “I know the perfect person we could ask to make an inquiry.”
Hadrian’s brows elevated briefly. “Who?”
“Ezra Clement.” He was a journalist they’d run into several times during their last investigation.
Ultimately, he and Tilda had ended up helping one another and agreeing to perhaps assist each other in the future, should it benefit them.
“He might like a story about a corrupt society, if indeed it is corrupt.”
Hadrian’s brows pitched low over his eyes. “Clement would certainly like to write a story about a murder.” He sounded perturbed.
“You don’t like him,” Tilda said.
“I didn’t like that he was going to pester my mother.”
They’d encountered Clement as he’d been about to call on Hadrian’s mother to inquire about her connection to the society of mediums that Tilda and Hadrian were investigating.
“He was only trying to do his job,” Tilda said. “But I agree that he was aggressive. However, I think we’ve come to an understanding about how we may aid one another, and this would be an excellent opportunity to test that.”
“I suppose it could work,” Hadrian allowed. “Before we do anything, you should speak to Maxwell. He’s been clear that this is his investigation.”
“True. I suppose we should also speak with him before visiting the pub, but I don’t want to wait. Let’s return to White Alley and become Beck and Harwood once more.”
“I much prefer us as Ravenhurst and Wren.” Hadrian smirked. “Or Raven and Wren, since my colleagues generally call me Raven. I rather like the pair of birds solving crimes together.”
Tilda blinked at him. “I didn’t realize you had a whimsical nature.”
“I don’t usually. But I’ve changed a great deal since I hit my head on the pavement and acquired an inexplicable power to see things.”
“ Blast ,” Tilda said softly. “I should have asked you to touch something at the boarding house, since we weren’t able to gain access to Eaton’s room.”
He smiled. “What makes you think I didn’t? Alas, I didn’t see anything.”
“That is unfortunate. But thank you for trying.”
“I’ll try again at the pub,” Hadrian said. “I’m keen to find Eaton. I do feel he’ll be helpful.”
“Particularly now that Phelps has been killed,” Tilda pointed out.
“We aren’t investigating his murder, however.”
Tilda smiled. “As you pointed out earlier, when has that stopped us before?”