A Ghostly Guardian: A Paranormal Women's Fiction Mystery by H.P. Mallory & fiction

Author:H.P. Mallory & fiction [Mallory, H.P.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-05-09T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FOUR:

GRANT

I stepped out of the carriage in front of Scotland Yard and straightened my coat, my eyes scanning the street for any signs of trouble.

As a detective in London, you’ve always got to be prepared for the worst.

As for the trip I’d just taken to Philippa’s home, I wasn’t surprised to find that there was no will, amended or otherwise. Disappointed, yes; surprised, no. I hoped Philippa was telling the truth, but I’d seen too much during my years as an inspector to believe the best from people. Throughout my life, I’d pretty much seen only the worst. People were capable of terrible things, and I’d witnessed firsthand the lengths to which some people will go to protect their secrets.

It wasn’t so much that I felt disappointed for Philippa—I was beginning to realize that behind that lovely face was a manipulator. And I couldn’t help but wonder if Patrick had gotten caught up in her web and sunk by her charm. No, I was more disappointed for Patrick—that I hadn’t been able to clear his wife’s name and thus, his memory would be tarnished with the realization that his widow was a thief.

With a heaviness to my steps, I entered Scotland Yard and was immediately absorbed in the bustling activity. I was greeted by the sight of officers hurrying about their duties, clad in their distinctive blue uniforms. The atmosphere was one of focused intensity, as constables went about their work. Despite the hurried activity all around me, there was a sense of order and efficiency that pervaded the entire building. Every officer was focused and hard at work, and the building itself exuded an air of authority and command.

My gaze leveled on the walls ahead of me, adorned with maps, charts, and other tools of the trade, as well as portraits of notable detectives and other law enforcement officials. While walking through the rotunda, the large, open space where officers busily worked side by side, I observed them collaborating on cases and sharing information.

The place was well-lit with an array of gas lamps hanging from the ceiling. The warm glow of the lamps cast flickering shadows across the room, giving the space an almost mystical quality.

I took the stairs two at a time until I reached the hallway leading to my office. Walking past Patrick’s old office, it sat empty and dark just like it had for more than a year. I found myself pausing as my gaze settled on the large walnut desk that sat in the middle of the office.

Was it possible...?

Hmm.

Patrick’s desk had remained largely untouched since the day he’d died, since he hadn’t yet been replaced by a new superintendent. Well, that wasn’t entirely true—there had been another superintendent appointed, Thaddeus Towning, a man who had lasted all of six months before he was transferred to the Birmingham City Police.

As I paused in the hallway, I exhaled a deep breath and entered the space, all the while wondering why I was even bothering.

The room was relatively large with high ceilings and tall windows that provided plenty of natural light.

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