Chapter 2
Two
Our ride back to the office was quiet except for sounds from the street.
I knew his thoughts were already filled with questions over Constable Martin’s death, as well as the inquiries he would now make among those he knew.
Along with that was the sadness and grief over the loss of a man he had respected and worked with, who had given of himself to a young man new to the Metropolitan Police, and had become a friend.
I had not met Constable Martin, but I had heard him mentioned in conversations between Brodie and Mr. Dooley.
A colorful story shared over a dram or cup of coffee in that way of mutual experiences had provided me another glimpse of the man I had married.
And now his care and respect for Maddy Martin.
I let him have his silence and his thoughts.
“I thank ye, lass.”
I looked back from window of the coach and the congestion on the street. That dark gaze softened as it met mine.
“For the care ye took with her, someone ye dinna know and beneath ye, as most would see it.”
“She is quite extraordinary and so very strong,” I replied.
“Aye, like yerself.”
I shook my head. “I cannot imagine what she must feel. To have been married to her husband for so long, and now…”
“Ye canna imagine being with someone for over twenty years?”
I knew what he was thinking.
“I can,” I replied, with no small amount of surprise at the thought. “As long as you don’t get yourself killed. I would be very angry, Mr. Brodie.”
The hazards of the inquiry business, still perhaps no more dangerous than that of a constable with the Metropolitan Police.
“Would ye now? No regrets?”
It was too tempting. And perhaps a little levity was called for.
“You do have a habit of leaving your clothes strewn about. And there is the matter of the toothpowder spilled all over the place.”
“And ye have no odd habits?” he commented.
“Of course not,” I replied somewhat cheekily. “But then, you knew that when you proposed to me.”
There was a faint smile.
“A moment of insanity to be certain.”
There was more silence and other thoughts.
“Will she be all right?” I inquired.
“Aye, in time, and with answers. It willna change any of it, but it will bring her some comfort.”
“I was thinking…” I replied. “I would like very much to assist with the inquiries. It isn’t as if I haven’t in the past, and it’s important…
Food is one thing,” I continued. “Perhaps assistance with the rents until she is able to decide what she will do next.” I looked up and discovered him watching me.
“What is it?” I inquired.
He reached across the aisle of the coach and took my hand.
“Who could imagine a fine lady capable of shooting a criminal or runnin’ ’em through with a sword having care for a constable’s widow?”
“Do you know such a person?” I replied. His warm hand continued to hold mine.
“Or care for a man from the streets? And join yer life to his with a few words?” His fingers stroked the ring on my hand.
I could have told him that it was his heart that drew me to him. Or it might be his loyalty to a friend such as Constable Martin. And above all, there was the trust I had discovered when I had learned not to trust anyone.
“It was something Aunt Antonia recommended quite highly, as a matter of fact,” I replied.
“What might that be?”
He could be such a devil. He knew perfectly well what I was speaking of, admittedly not quite the same as those other qualities, but equally impressive.
However, I was not about to give him the satisfaction of telling him. At least not specifically. I smiled to myself.
“It’s your ability to build the ‘perfect fire’ in the coal stove on a cold winter’s night,” I replied.
He released my hand and sat back in the seat of the coach. A bit of the devil had returned to that dark gaze that watched me.
“Ye are indecent, Mikaela Forsythe. Speaking of such things in the middle of the day.”
“I have no idea what you are speaking of.”
He was thoughtful.
“Wot of yer meeting with Lady Ambersley earlier this morning?”
I had met with Kitty Ambersley at the request of Sir Laughton, my great-aunt’s lawyer, in the matter of a missing necklace that had apparently disappeared from her London residence after a supper party.
The necklace was quite valuable, handed down through the Ambersley ancestors, and Kitty, as she was known to society friends, was quite beside herself at the loss of it.
She had reached out to my great-aunt with the hope that we might be able to assist in the recovery of the necklace that was said to be worth more than a half million pounds. The detachable brooch, with a diamond cluster surrounding a large blue diamond, was said to be extremely rare.
“Her husband is a member of Parliament and highly respected. She is…how should I say this?” Sir Laughton had attempted to explain. “Somewhat unconventional in her views.”
He had been rather circumspect in his description.
“Perhaps even a bit eccentric.
“I realize that you and Brodie do not usually take on cases about stolen items,” he continued. “However, it would be a favor to me, as well as your great-aunt, as they are well acquainted.
“Lady Ambersley is quite devastated at the loss and is hopeful you will consider making inquiries.”
That was two weeks earlier.
I had discussed it with Brodie, and we agreed that we would make our usual inquiries from a list of staff, servants, and guests provided.
We had received that list the day before, and Sir Laughton had sent round word for Lady Ambersley to meet us at his office to discuss the situation.
There, I had explained how we worked, the inquiries we would make on her behalf, yet warned that there was no guarantee that it would bring the recovery of the necklace.
To that end, I had also explained to her that the theft of such a valuable piece of jewelry might very well result in the necklace being either sold off to an unknown buyer or broken into smaller pieces and then sold. Such was the reality for items of value that were stolen, including jewels.
Brodie remained at the office this morning to take care of some correspondence regarding another inquiry about our services. And then, of course, the unexpected visit from Mr. Dooley.
Eccentric. A word that had often been used to describe my great-aunt. It was most certainly an understatement for Lady Ambersley—Kitty as she preferred that I call her.
For our meeting she had arrived at Sir Laughton’s office wearing a brilliant purple gown with a purple satin coat over and a matching turban.
It was not the turban that was somewhat amusing. Aunt Antonia had been known to wear them from time to time. It was the small dog she carried that also wore matching purple satin.
“The dog’s name is Bitsy. She would be no more than a mouthful for the hound,” I added.
I then spoke of the meeting with Lady Ambersley that followed, although it seemed that Brodie was very likely not listening, considering the frown on his face and the lines between those dark brows.
I was not surprised. The news about Constable Martin’s death was dreadful, and admittedly a far more serious matter that Kitty Ambersley’s dog.
“I explained how we usually proceed with an inquiry and also explained that the necklace might very well have been broken up and sold in pieces or smuggled out of the country.”
He eventually looked up, the frown still there.
“Ye will be acquainted with most of the people on the list of names she provided. It might be best if ye were to make the necessary inquiries. I need to let Mr. Conner know about Constable Martin. They worked together for a number of years. And then I want to make inquiries among those I know.”
“Of course. I would like to help,” I added.
He looked at me. “I thank ye for the thought, lass.” He shook his head. “It is somethin’ I need to do and the places I need to go…”
I understood, I really did, and I knew that he had the experience to keep himself safe and was perfectly capable. Still…
“When will you begin?” I asked as we returned to the office.
He didn’t reply, which told me that he already had. Perhaps in that conversation with Mr. Dooley.
“I will make the inquiries for Lady Ambersley.” Although I was not looking forward to the appointment I had made for later that afternoon and wondered if Bitsy would still be wearing purple satin.
It might have been something in my voice.
“It’s not that I dinna want yer help, but there are things here that…” Brodie started to explain.
“I understand. Hopefully this will be resolved quickly.” I thought of Maddy Martin. “For everyone’s sake.”
He went into the adjacent room that served as our bedroom whenever we were on a case and returned late at night, or in the event of dreadful weather.
The single room had been quite plain with only a bed and washstand when I first sought his inquiry service.
It had been expanded somewhat and now included a wardrobe for our clothes as well as a water closet.
My great-aunt had also seen to it that we had what she considered ‘appropriate furnishings’ for a professional office.
All in all, the office at #204 on the Strand had been transformed in no small part to her efforts.
“Ye may do as ye see fit with the place, but dinna touch my desk,” Brodie had told me at the time.
In addition to the expanded office and furnishings, we had decided to have a lift installed beside the alcove near the sidewalk, mostly for the ease of Mr. Cavendish, so he could access the second floor.
He had previously used a bell at the end of a rope near the landing to let us know that someone arrived or a message had been received.
The loyal former soldier had been with Brodie since he first began offering his inquiry services.
Mr. Cavendish had previously lived in the alcove at the bottom of the stairs along with the hound.
Rupert belonged to no one and usually occupied the alcove near the street when the weather turned. However, he and I got on quite well.