Chapter Twenty-Eight #2
“They’re called ‘Ladies of the Night,’ a particularly rare orchid that do cost a fortune. However, they’re so beautiful, I simply had to decorate with them. Your father has learned to deal with such things over the years. Now, my dear, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?”
“Apologies for interrupting, but I need to speak with Caleb Dodd.”
The countess cocked her head to the side and assessed her son. “What on earth do you want with my magician? Don’t tell me you’re here in your official job capacity.”
The emphasis she placed on the word told Jack all she needed to know of his mother’s thoughts on the matter.
Clearly, she didn’t like the police, or at least as a profession for her son.
Hmm, something they had in common, Jack thought, hiding her amusement at the odd notion that she would have anything in common with a countess.
Tobias nodded. “I’m sorry, Mother, but yes. You might need to arrange some other entertainment for Saturday evening.”
“It is far too short notice to arrange anything else, Tobias,” she stated, her composure staying perfectly calm, her voice firm, much like a major general’s.
“My guests expect dinner, then an outstanding illusion performance by a magician, followed by a ball. And that is exactly what they shall get. You will have to speak to Mr. Dodd after his performance on Saturday evening.” Her eyes widened suddenly.
“Is this about that Coffin Conjurer case over in Filsbury?”
“Mother, where is Caleb Dodd?” Tobias asked, ignoring the question and sounding just as stubborn as his mother.
The countess’s eyes narrowed, and she raised her chin, obviously unused to her questions being dismissed.
“A note was delivered for him about half an hour ago, after which he rushed out, saying he had to go to the countryside somewhere and sort something urgent out. Given everything is well on track for his performance on Saturday night, he said he’d be back on Saturday afternoon and would head straight here to finalize all the preparations. ”
The countess then held up a hand. “And before you ask,” she directed straight at Tobias, “no, he didn’t say where he was going, nor did I bother to ask.
If you wish to speak to him, you’ll just have to attend his performance here on Saturday night at eight, as I’ve have been requesting you to do all month.
” The countess turned back to Jack, her dark-gray eyes pinning her with their intensity. “Now, who is this?”
The woman was very good at intimidating someone with a glare, and Jack felt like a young girl again under the intense scrutiny.
“This is Miss Hart, Mother,” Tobias replied. “She’s a consultant with the Yard. And as Mr. Dodd isn’t here, we shall take our leave.”
“I haven’t seen you in nearly a fortnight, Tobias, and now just because Mr. Dodd isn’t here, you intend to leave? I thought I raised you better than that.”
Tobias pinched the bridge of his nose. “Mother, I’m investigating three murders and time is of the essence.”
“Time is always of the essence with you, my dear.” The woman waved her hand dismissively in the air before turning back to Jack.
“You’re a consultant, then, are you?” A spark of curiosity flared in the woman’s eyes, clashing with the cautious regard with which she was still staring at Jack.
“What exactly is it you consult about, Miss Hart? I would have thought the police would be rather biased against hiring a lady consultant. Especially one as young and as pretty as you are.”
Jack could see the caution in Tobias’s eyes warning her not to engage, but she wasn’t very good with following instructions from those in authority.
He probably should learn that sooner rather than later.
“How kind of you to say so, Countess. And yes, they’re extremely biased.
However, luckily for me, my looks and age don’t detract from my investigation and magic skills, which seem to outweigh any bias from the police at the moment. ”
“‘Magic skills’?” Interest flashed in the countess’s eyes. “So it is the Coffin Conjurer case you’re working on. I thought it must be, given you wanted to speak with Mr. Dodd.”
Tobias’s mother was a smart lady. Jack would give her that.
“Mother, we don’t have time for this—”
“Tobias,” the countess interrupted, glancing over to him, her voice sharp in reprimand. “You can make a minute or two for your mother.” She turned back to Jack. “You do magic, do you? And is that why you’re consulting on this case with my son?”
“Something like that,” Jack agreed.
“Perhaps, then, you can attend my ball too and perform some magic, given it seems my son intends to possibly detain my entertainment and derail all of my well-laid plans for the evening.”
Jack pressed her lips together, trying not to smile. “I appreciate the offer, Countess; however, I don’t perform magic. I simply use the skills in my investigation agency.”
“Your investigation agency?” The woman seemed shocked, but then her eyes lit up. “As in the Hart Agency?”
Jack nodded. “Yes.”
“Well, no wonder you’ve asked her for her help, Tobias. Miss Hart’s agency has an excellent reputation.”
“Thank you, Countess.” Jack smiled at her.
“How do you even know of Miss Hart’s agency, Mother?”
The countess shrugged. “Several of my friends have had need of the agency’s services.
Services which have been highly commended.
” She turned back to face Jack. “Is Mr. Dodd involved in this Coffin Conjurer business, then?” The countess seemed intrigued though unsurprised.
“Should I be concerned, Tobias?” She didn’t seem frightened by the thought.
“Though I must say Mr. Dodd strikes me as far too preoccupied with himself to be a killer.”
Jack was starting to like Tobias’s mother. Hmm, it seemed countesses weren’t as bad as she’d imagined.
“Just make sure when he returns on Saturday,” Tobias said, “that you have one of the footmen keep an eye on him and send me word. I’d offer to send some of my constables over to keep an eye on things, though I know what Father would say to that.”
“Good Lord, no, he’d have a fit if he saw police officers here,” the countess replied, her eyes widening as she clutched at her ruby necklace.
“You’ll just have to attend the ball to speak with him, but after he performs his magic tricks, obviously.
And make sure you are wearing a dress suit.
I shall not have my son looking like a police officer at my ball, thank you very much. ”
“I’m in the middle of a murder investigation,” Tobias said, struggling not to sound impatient. “I don’t have time to attend balls, let alone change into a special suit for one.”
“This isn’t just any ball, Tobias, this is my ball.
You said you needed to speak to Caleb Dodd, so attend the ball and speak to him.
You can kill two birds with one stone; talk to him after his performance and make me happy in the process that you’ve actually attended for once.
” She glanced back at Jack. “And you must come too, Miss Hart.”
“Oh, I don’t think—”
“Nonsense, of course you must come. I insist.”
Jack saw the militant expression in the woman’s eyes and thought better of disagreeing.
“Very well, Countess. However, if I am to attend, I’m also going to need an invitation for an agent of mine to attend too.
She’s investigating one of your guests and I promise will be very discreet in her enquiries. ”
“Hmm, how intriguing,” the countess murmured.
“She will need to go incognito as no one can know of her involvement with my agency or even with me. So your discretion would be needed too.”
“It sounds thrilling. She may attend too, provided you and my son also attend.”
“Might I remind you both this is a murder investigation,” Tobias said, his tone filled with incredulity. “We don’t have time for balls.”
“If you want to speak to Mr. Dodd, then you will have to attend, anyway, won’t you?” the countess pointed out bluntly.
Tobias blinked but slowly nodded. “Very well, Mother, we shall attend, provided nothing urgent arises. Now if you will excuse us, we do have a murderer to catch.”
“Excellent. I expect to see you both Saturday night, then,” the countess warned as Tobias leaned forward and gave her a brief kiss on her cheek. “In the meantime, though, please make sure you stay safe…” There was genuine worry in her eyes, and Jack could see the love there too.
Then the countess stepped back and nodded to them both before swirling around and gliding back to where some of her servants were setting up some decorations at the far end of the room.
For a moment, a wave of longing swept through Jack as memories of her own mother and how much Jack missed her pressed against her heart. “You’re lucky to have a mother who loves you so much.”
“I know,” Tobias murmured, his eyes looking down at her in understanding. “Come along, then. Let’s see if we might have better luck on another aspect of this investigation, then.”