Page 28 of A Whisper in the Shadows (Raven & Wren #4)

Clement narrowed his eyes slightly as he inclined his head toward Hadrian.

“I thought the same thing, so I had a drink with Rippon at the pub. I asked if it was possible that he didn’t know his friend very well.

” Clement’s eyes gleamed with anticipation.

“Rippon broke down and confessed that he’d lied at the inquest. He hadn’t known for certain that Eaton was stealing, but he suspected it.

Apparently, Eaton had a younger sister in an orphanage and was trying to save enough money so she could live with him. ”

“How sad,” Hadrian said.

“If it’s true,” Clement replied. “I’ve yet to confirm the sister actually exists.”

Maxwell frowned. “That’s a rather cynical thing to say.”

Clement shrugged. “Eaton might have said that to his friend to justify what he was doing. Nobody wants to be seen as a villain—especially villains.”

“That’s good work,” Tilda said, appreciating Clement’s commitment to finding the truth. “Thank you, Mr. Clement. What lines of inquiry do you plan to make after today’s inquest?”

“Almost too many to count,” the reporter replied. “I’m sure you feel the same.”

“Quite,” Tilda agreed. “Ravenhurst and I are having tea with Mrs. Atkins tomorrow. He’s trying to persuade Nevill and Furnier to hire him as their new canvasser, and she is in favor.

In fact, she offered to pay his salary. She believes Ravenhurst would be helpful to ensuring the society’s good reputation. ”

Clement’s brow creased with confusion. “Does she know he’s an earl?”

“No, she just thinks he’s handsome,” Maxwell replied with a chuckle.

“Well, that could be helpful in many ways.” Clement laughed. “I trust you’ll let me know how the meeting goes?”

“Certainly.” Tilda inclined her head. “Let’s plan on exchanging information again, say, Friday evening at the Lion’s Heart in Little Moorfields?”

“I’ll be there.” Clement rose. “I must be on my way. Enjoy the rest of your evening.”

After he departed, Maxwell frowned slightly. “I’m not sure I care for Mr. Clement.”

“You can trust him,” Tilda said.

Maxwell exhaled. “And I trust you. I do not think Sergeant Kilgore or Inspector Chisholm would support his involvement, however.”

“Won’t they appreciate knowing that Rippon lied today at the inquest?” Hadrian asked.

Tilda met his gaze, surprised that he was, in a way, defending Clement.

“That was helpful to learn,” Maxwell allowed. “I should share that with Chisholm. I’ll don a cloak and go to the police station.”

“Could you ask him if we may search Phelps’s house?” Hadrian asked. “I think there must be some sort of record of the society’s membership and finances.”

Tilda knew he was thinking of the diary he’d seen in his vision at Phelps’s house when he’d touched the desk. As far as they knew, that diary had not been found, and it would likely be very helpful to their investigation.

“I am sure the constables thoroughly searched the house,” Maxwell said.

“Chisholm would have told us if they’d found anything like that, for that would certainly be relevant to our investigation.

Still, it can’t hurt for us to look too.

I’ll arrange for us to do so tomorrow evening, after I finish at the mercantile house.

” He stood and turned toward the entrance hall, where Sergeant Kilgore suddenly appeared.

“Good evening, Sergeant,” Maxwell said, sounding surprised. “Allow me to introduce Lord Ravenhurst and Miss Wren.”

Hadrian stood and greeted the sergeant, but Tilda remained seated.

“I passed a gentleman in extremely bright trousers as I approached the back entrance to the house. I recognized him from the inquest and thought he was a reporter. Mrs. Kilgore tells me that he is. Why did you allow him to come here? And why would you speak with him?” He seemed to direct his questions—and his irritation—at Maxwell.

“He had information to share,” Tilda replied, not wanting Maxwell to bear the sergeant’s ire. “He spoke with Rippon after the inquest and learned that he lied.” She shared the details of what Clement told them.

“I was just about to go to the station to share all that with Chisholm,” Maxwell said. “And to arrange for us to search Phelps’s house tomorrow evening. Whilst I’m sure he and the constables were thorough, we’d like to look for any society records that may be there.”

Sergeant Kilgore nodded. “I’m confident they were thorough, but it can’t hurt to search again. You need to work quickly. I know I said you could have a fortnight to complete this investigation, but I do hope you can finish well before then.”

Maxwell nodded. “We are endeavoring to do so. In fact, we have a plan to infiltrate the society as employees.” He detailed their scheme to have Hadrian hired as a canvasser and for Maxwell to take Phelps’s position as administrator.

“Excellent,” Sergeant Kilgore said with an approving smile. He looked at Hadrian. “Mrs. Kilgore has told me of your contributions to the investigation and to the household. I was skeptical when I heard you were here, but I can see you are an intrinsic part of this team. I thank you, my lord.”

Hadrian inclined his head. “It is my privilege to be of assistance.”

Sergeant Kilgore bid them good evening and went back downstairs.

Maxwell eyed Hadrian. “Shouldn’t you have left already?”

Tilda realized Hadrian should have departed some time ago to report for his fake job at the gentlemen’s club.

“I don’t see the point.” Hadrian shrugged. “I won’t leave the house, and no one will realize I haven’t gone to work.”

“That makes sense to me,” Tilda replied.

Maxwell was pensive a moment. “Yes, our time is better spent investigating than going to fake employment. After speaking with Sergeant Kilgore, I confess I am feeling more pressure to make progress. I think I must resign my position at the mercantile house tomorrow. I’ll tell them I’ve found another position.

Then I’ll speak with Furnier and Nevill about becoming their newest administrator. ”

“That’s a great plan,” Tilda said in admiration.

She glanced at Hadrian, but his features were enigmatic.

She wanted to speak with him alone about how to search Phelps’s house tomorrow, but that would have to wait.

They could not discuss his ability in front of Maxwell.

“I’m glad you aren’t returning to Mayfair,” she said to him.

“As Maxwell said, we should focus more fully on the investigation,” Hadrian said.

“Though I must wonder how close we are to reaching a conclusion. The objective was to find evidence of fraud. We now know that Eaton was stealing from the society and fraudulently admitting members, not that he can be prosecuted.”

“I am not entirely satisfied that Eaton was the sole culprit.” Tilda suspected there was more to the relationship between the two dead men—Phelps and Eaton—than they’d yet uncovered.

Furthermore, she wasn’t sure that Nevill, Furnier, and perhaps Dr. Giles weren’t also somehow involved in fraud or corruption.

“I think it is our duty to ensure the society will be operating entirely under the law moving forward.”

“I completely agree,” Maxwell said. “I do think that our current plans—with both Ravenhurst and I infiltrating the management of the society—will bring this investigation to a somewhat rapid end.” His gaze focused on Tilda. “I confess I’ll be sorry to conclude our partnership.”

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” Tilda said with a smile. “We’ve plenty of work to do.”