A Wicked Conceit by Anna Lee Huber

Author:Anna Lee Huber [Huber, Anna Lee]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2021-04-06T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

Fortuitously, Gage returned home a short time after I’d emerged pink from the bath, having washed the stench of the printers from me. He had often been disarmed by the sight of me lounging barefoot before the fire, my long chestnut tresses cascading around my shoulders as they dried, and this proved no exception. As a consequence, any fury he felt upon learning that Bonnie Brock had come to our home was soon mitigated. Particularly when I assured him of the precautions I’d taken, and shared with him the fact that Bonnie Brock and Maggie were being hunted.

Gage sank back in the chair across from mine and turned to stare broodingly into the fire. “I suspected the police would make the apprehension of Kincaid their top priority, whether the evidence points to him being the murderer or not. And while we both know he’s committed an untold number of crimes.” He sighed. “I don’t think this time he’s the one to blame.”

“Did you uncover anything of interest at the bank or via Rookwood’s solicitor?” I asked, adjusting the belt of my indigo silk dressing gown.

He shook his head. “They confirmed Heron’s presence at approximately the times he said he was there, but neither visit was lengthy. As I expected, the solicitor wouldn’t share Rookwood’s will with me, though he did confirm that Rookwood has a sister living in Aberdeen.”

“Then it’s likely she’ll inherit.”

“Perhaps. I suppose we’ll know soon enough. The will is being read in a week’s time.” He looked up at me hopefully. “Did you learn anything helpful from Cromarty and your sister?”

“No, but Philip said he would find out what he could.”

“Then we’re left with little to go on.”

“Not unless Anderley’s day has been more fruitful.” I had been able to tell from Bree’s expression while she prepared my bath that hers had been unsatisfying.

Less than an hour later, we were able to find out. The fire in the drawing room had been built up to a blaze, warming the chill room as rain continued to pelt the windows. At times, the sharp strikes of precipitation sounded more like ice or sleet than rain, and I could only be glad we had no obligations for the evening.

“Although it wasn’t the most auspicious weather, I was able to speak with a few witnesses from the market, including the owner of that oyster cart you mentioned,” Anderley said, rifling his still-damp hair. “Sadly, he claimed he’d been too busy to notice who came and went from any of the shops across the street yesterday. And I must admit, if he was doing as brisk a trade as he was today, then I believe him. As for the ballad-seller, he wasn’t there. But that’s not entirely unexpected.”

“No,” I agreed. “His sheet music would have been ruined in this weather.”

“I’ll try to speak with him tomorrow, or find out where he’s gone.”

Gage nodded and then turned to Bree. “What of you, Miss McEvoy?”

“I spoke to Mr. Rookwood’s staff. There was only four o’ ’em, and three o’ ’em were happy to help.

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