Page 12 of Deadly Murder (Angus Brodie and Mikaela Forsythe Murder Mystery #14)

“He is not. However, that will undoubtedly change very shortly.”

Brodie was thoughtful.

“If we are to continue, sir, with what we’ve learned, we must have full control over our inquiries…with no interference. Guaranteed by Yer Highness.”

It was a bold request that had the potential to put us in direct conflict with Sir Avery. However, His Highness nodded.

“Agreed.”

“Any information that we uncover is to be seen only by yerself until the matter is resolved,” Brodie insisted.

Once more, the Prince of Wales agreed to his request.

“And ye are to provide information regarding any clues that we find.”

“Agreed, as well.”

“We do not work for Sir Avery,” Brodie insisted. “That must be made clear, nor will we report to him. I will not have him standin’ over us or expectin’ reports or updates.”

“You know the man well,” His Highness commented.

“Yer word on it, sir,” Brodie insisted.

“You have it. You will answer only to me.”

Brodie seemed satisfied with that.

“Ye may tell Sir Avery whatever ye wish of the arrangement, or not,” Brodie said then. “But I will not be stepping over the man every minute. If it comes to that, then we will provide whatever information we have in the matter to ye and be done with it.”

“Understood,” Prince Edward replied with a faint smile. “Would you care for me to put that in writing, Mr. Brodie?”

I could tell that Brodie wasn’t prepared for that, just as His Highness undoubtedly was not prepared to be lectured regarding the terms of our service.

I also sensed from his expression that Brodie had apparently hoped that this would be the end of our involvement with the investigation and we would be on our way.

“What of the sketch?” Lily whispered.

“There is a matter that needs your attention,” I entered the conversation since it seemed that, at least for the present, the two had reached an agreement. Even though I agreed with Brodie regarding Sir Avery.

I had no fondness for the man after previous circumstances, even if he was the Queen’s preferred agent in the matter. He was too willing to sacrifice a person in the interest of solving a crime, and at one time that person was the man I was now married to.

“We had a sketch made from Lily’s observations of the man she encountered last evening,” I explained. “And with your permission…?”

“Of course, Lady Forsythe, please continue,” His Highness replied.

I removed the sketch from the tube, laid it on a side table to prevent it being lost among the sea of paperwork as his desk, then nodded for Lily to explain the drawing.

She unrolled the sketch and blocked the four corners with objects she found there, with one corner remaining.

Prince Edward handed an ashtray to her. “Will this do, miss?” he inquired.

She set it onto the fourth corner of the drawing.

“This is the man you thought that you saw last night?” he inquired as he rounded the table to look more closely at the sketch.

“In a matter of a few seconds after he sent that young man over the railing? A most difficult situation. And you then went after him across the green with only the light of gas lamps around the park?” he commented.

Anyone else might have been intimidated. As I say, anyone else…

“He looked at me from only a foot away,” Lily replied, matter of fact. “That is the man I saw.” She could be quite direct.

That took His Highness back a bit. When I would have said something in support of her, Brodie shook his head.

“I know wot I saw…sir,” she added. “I see no reason to bandy about something, particularly something as dreadful as wot happened to that poor young man.”

“Indeed,” he replied. “You have a point Miss…?”

“Lily Montgomery, sir,” she replied.

“Montgomery. Of course,” he acknowledged. “And an eye for detail so it seems.”

“Do ye perhaps recognize the person in the sketch?” Brodie asked. “He was able to easily access Marlborough House that night. Might it be someone of yer acquaintance?”

Prince Edward studied the drawing.

I thought I saw something in his expression, not recognition but a thought that was there, then gone.

“No, I do not recognize the man.”

“I would like permission to show the drawing to Sir Knollys and other staff,” Brodie then informed him.

“Of course. I will send for him and have him arrange for you to meet with whomever you wish.”

“That does raise the point of Sir Avery’s involvement now.”

“Yes?” Prince Edward replied, then looked across the table to both Brodie and me. “I’m aware that you have worked with the man in the past.”

I looked over at Brodie. I did wonder how he would choose to respond.

“Aye, in another matter. However, we have chosen to conduct inquiries on behalf of our own clients.”

Prince Edward was thoughtful.

“Continue.”

“I would have yer written authorization to make our inquiries, so that there is no confusion,” he explained.

“You shall have it, in writing. I will direct Sir Knollys to draft it before you depart.”

Brodie nodded and thanked him.

“There is the matter of the note that was found last night.”

I retrieved the note and handed it to him.

“ And then there were two. It would seem to have a specific meaning, now with the deaths of the two young men and the murderer’s reference to them.”

What did I see now in His Royal Highness’s expression?

“And the first note?” I inquired. “ The sins of the father will be visited upon the children ?”

“I have no way of knowing,” he replied somewhat dismissive, I thought.

“Obviously some cruel joke and all the more reason you must continue and find the person who is responsible.”