Page 10 of Murder at Somerset House (A Wrexford & Sloane Mystery #9)

“If Charlotte were here, she would suggest that we look at the conundrum from a different perspective.” Wrexford frowned in thought. “What if …”

His friend stopped fidgeting.

“What if we’re asking the wrong question?”

“What do you mean?” demanded his friend.

“Perhaps the key to the crime is not who killed Boyleston.” Wrexford considered the matter for a bit longer before continuing.

“Boyleston’s scientific paper had stirred controversy and ridicule among his fellow members.

And in response, he announced that he was going to give a momentous demonstration in the near future that would prove he was right. ”

“You think he was murdered because of his scientific ideas, rather than any personal grudge?”

“I’m simply suggesting that we need to keep an open mind and consider the possibility.”

Sheffield gave a noncommittal grunt.

The two of them sat in silence, each seeming lost in their own thoughts. And then Wrexford put aside his unfinished drink and rose abruptly, an idea suddenly springing to mind. “Thank you for listening. But I shall now bid you goodnight.”

“Where are you going?” inquired his friend.

“Never mind.”

“I know that look in your eyes.” Sheffield got to his feet with a long-suffering sigh. “Wherever it is, I had better come with you.”

The faint click of glassware emanating from the laboratory was a good sign, decided Charlotte.

Tyler, the earl’s valet and scientific assistant—not to mention occasional sleuth—had just returned to Berkeley Square earlier in the evening from the family’s country estate, where he had been dealing with a few routine matters.

He was now dutifully cleaning the beakers and vials used by the earl in his earlier experiment.

Smiling, she approached the half-open door. And as Wrexford had sent word that he would be away interviewing members of the Royal Society until quite late, the conversation she planned to have with the valet was not likely to be disturbed.

“Welcome home, Tyler. I trust you had a productive visit with our estate steward?”

“Jenkins and I managed to deal with His Lordship’s requests without any problems. Though we decided that work on the millpond sluice gates should wait until warmer weather.”

“That makes sense.” She stepped into the laboratory. “Ummm, might I ask you set aside your household chores for a moment? I have something that I wish to discuss with you.”

“Indeed, you have my undying gratitude for interrupting my labors, m’lady.

” Tyler slapped down his polishing cloth and massaged the back of his neck.

“Forgive me for saying so, but things have been awfully quiet among our family and friends for the last several weeks.” A cough.

“Not that I’m wishing for Evil to rear its ugly head—”

“Nonetheless, it has done so,” she interjected, deciding to get right to the point. “Did Mac not tell you about the Weasels and the hunt for the escaped monkey?”

A sound—something between a cough and laugh—stirred in his throat.

“Mac was out when I arrived. Apparently, the dowager has just returned from her stay in Bath and sent a note asking for her advice in choosing fabric for new draperies.” His brows waggled.

“The Weasels versus an exotic beast? I can’t even begin to imagine what chaos could have erupted. ”

Charlotte gestured for him to keep his voice down. “I would prefer that the boys don’t overhear our conversation,” she added in a whisper.

“Oh?” Tyler edged a little closer and cocked an ear. “Go on.”

“There was an unsettling incident during the hunt …” Charlotte quickly explained about the warehouse by the river, the jammed winch, and the shot fired at Raven.

“Ye gods.” Tyler’s eyes widened in shock. He was very fond of the boys. “I—I trust the injury isn’t serious.”

“Lady Luck was kind. He escaped unscathed thanks to the rucksack he was wearing,” answered Charlotte.

“Wrex is of the opinion that we should count our blessings and forget about the incident. He says that skullduggery is rife along the river and that violence is an everyday occurrence as criminals can make a fortune through the heist of valuable goods from ships and warehouses.”

“Definitely true.” Tyler pursed his mouth. “But then, I’m sure you’re aware of that.”

“I am.” Charlotte hesitated. “However, I am concerned about what Raven saw in the moments before the gentlemen noticed his presence just outside the window …” She went on to recount what the boy had observed.

“Money and financial documents,” mused the valet. “That’s not surprising if they had just sold a lucrative shipment of goods. In truth, it would explain why one of them had a hair-trigger temper—”

“Yes, but I just learned from Mrs. Sheffield that the warehouse in question has been empty for several months, as the previous occupant went bankrupt after suffering the loss of several merchant ships in a storm,” replied Charlotte.

“So it stands to reason that the gentlemen Raven saw were criminals.” A pause. “And not petty ones.”

“Perhaps that’s even more reason to follow His Lordship’s suggestion of not poking a stick into a nest of vipers.”

Charlotte conceded that there was some sense to Tyler’s statement. Indeed, a part of her desperately wanted to agree and walk away.

“I wish I could do so in good conscience, Tyler. However, I worry that the Weasels may have stumbled onto something that wasn’t simply a single robbery or swindle which created a spur-of-the-moment threat to our family.

The false hair and side-whiskers, along with the presence of someone who looked to be a foreigner, hint at something more sophisticated.

It’s possible that whatever plot these unscrupulous men are involved in has far-reaching implications. ”

A wariness flickered in his gaze. “So what are you suggesting?”

“That we have a look inside the building and see if there are any other clues as to what they might have been up to.”

The valet pinched at the bridge of his nose. “You do know that Wrex will have my guts for garters if I go along with your request.”

“Yes, he will ring a peal over your head—”

“A more accurate description is that he will spit fire and brimstone,” grumbled Tyler.

She smiled. “But only for a short interlude, after which he will express his gratitude for not letting me go on my own.”

The response drew an unintelligible mutter.

“Oh, come—you know that you’re curious.”

“There is an old adage about curiosity killing the cat,” he shot back.

“Felines are said to have nine lives,” she observed.

“I would imagine that both you and I have already used up twelve lives.” The valet paused. “Or possibly thirteen.”

“Very well. Your reluctance is entirely understandable.” Charlotte turned. “I’ll let you get back to your polishing.”

“Oh, bloody hell. Meet me in the scullery in a quarter hour.” Tyler narrowed his eyes. “And bring the pocket pistol that Wrex purchased for you last summer. Given what happened with Raven, I think it best that we don’t venture into the building unarmed.”