A Cowardice of Crows by S. E. Smith

Author:S. E. Smith [Smith, S. E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ship's Dog Publishing
Published: 2021-02-01T00:00:00+00:00

“The diary, next, I think. But before we discuss its contents, Sampson tell us where you found it.”

“Very well, my lord.” As reports went my valet’s information was succinct and well delivered. Emily and her uncle exchanged glances, which I found difficult to interpret. However, I couldn’t spend much time considering their reactions because Sampson was delivering new information. “Having retrieved it from its hiding place inside the door, I took it to Jethro. Partly because he looked after Millie but mainly because he was one of the regiment’s best code-breakers.”

Jethro ignored Sampson’s damning praise and addressed his comments to the entire room. “William’s correct, the diary’s in code, which means – in this at least – Millie followed company policy.”

“I sense a but,” Gold said.

“The code’s not a good one.” Disgust laced every word.

Emily’s eyes rolled towards the ceiling “Let me guess ... Dancing men?”

Jethro’s cheeks flushed and his eyes closed. “Yes miss, little stick figures – like in the Sherlock Holmes story.”

Quite clearly revolted by the news Emily shut her eyes and her face became a moue of displeasure. “Any redeeming feature, Jethro?”

He shook his head in the negative; then stopped as if considering things more deeply. “They were backwards!”

Gold swore. “She was a ... liability.”

“She followed instructions, Uncle.”

The pawnbroker grumbled darkly.

“All our girls are encouraged to keep a client book,” Emily told us. “In code to protect all concerned.” She glanced at my cousin. “It also means a girl can sell her clients on when she retires, and – more importantly – Uncle and I know who to go after if anything untoward happens.”

CC tutted and was about to make a scathing comment when Emily forestalled him. “A sensible precaution, CC. Jack never goes away.”

“That wouldn’t have stopped him,” CC snapped.

“I agree, with you, Sir Charles. But we were adults during that dreadful time. My Emily was a child and she has different memories, different fears.” Gold’s teeth showed for a few moments before he continued. “Listen, it makes the girls feel safe and that’s good for morale. We even encourage the clerks to follow the business girls’ lead.”

CC pulled out his handkerchief and glared at it. “Business girls? That’s a word for them I suppose.”

McGregor flushed slightly.

I tried not to laugh because by reacting the way they did both men missed the obvious. Emily wanted them outraged and embarrassed because it stopped them noticing that with every passing, all too damning, second Gold became our prime suspect.

And call me a fool, but I had no intention of drawing their attention to that fact either. “Moralise later cousin. Moralise later.”

CC blew his nose angrily and I waited for him to finish before turning back to the Irishman. “Jethro, is there anything else?”

“Pages were torn out, Major. Not in a clump, which is what I would expect. But odd ones here and there.” Jethro appeared perplexed. “At first, I thought it was because they were complete client pages sold on so to speak. But when I read the diary, I realised they weren’t removed to hide something.

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