Grave Expectations by Heather Redmond

Author:Heather Redmond
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington Books
Published: 2019-05-29T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

Charles feigned shock when he saw William at his desk at the Chronicle’s offices. No scent of hair of the dog, no damp towel over his face.

“I thought you were still abed,” he told William.

William set down his quill. “No. I was out all night.”

“Drinking?”

William frowned at him. “No. I was out all night because Ned Blood has been captured.”

“How wonderful,” Charles exclaimed. “Any sign of Larsen?”

“Sadly, no. I understand you think he’s the culprit, but hopefully, Ned Blood’s story will lead the police to the other man.”

“I hope we have news soon.” Charles sat at his desk, then, turmoil clogging his thoughts, turned his chair around, ignoring the short stack of notes indicating his newest assignments. “Meanwhile, your wife spent the night on my sofa.”

William picked up his teacup. “Was she frightened that I wasn’t there? I’m sorry to hear that, but it’s not the first time I’ve had to be out working.”

Where was William’s guilt at his misbehavior? “She said you were drunk and indicated that she was frightened.”

William shook his head, looking confused. “Julie lied about my drinking. I wasn’t even home.”

Charles stared hard at his friend. He had to admit no sign of Julie’s claims was evident on William’s face. “She must have decided in the moment that it was the quickest way to persuade me to have her stay.”

“She does tend to find the easiest ways,” William agreed. “Julie has too much imagination.”

“And not enough outlet for it, now that she’s no longer an actress.” Really, she manipulated more than anything, but he didn’t want to disparage his friend’s wife.

“I’m sorry you had to be involved in her little drama.” William took a look at his own slips of paper. He pocketed a couple of them and handed a third to Charles. “Could you attend the Court of Common Council this afternoon for me if I’m not back in time?”

“Where are you going?”

William’s usually charming expression set into a thin line. “Chelsea, to have a chat with my wife.”

“I’m sorry I was the bearer of bad news,” Charles said with sincerity. “I don’t wish to cause problems.”

William’s face didn’t change. “My wife cannot tell my friends lies about me. It could affect my friendships, my employment, my prospects.”

Charles nodded. “You are correct, of course. Kate and I have misunderstandings at times.”

“They are quite a bit younger than we are,” William said.

“I know.” Charles sighed. “We can rise out of chaos, and must, so that we can provide for our families.”

* * *

Charles worked excessively late in order to do both his work and part of William’s. He read through all the notes that came for William, but nothing about Ned Blood appeared. He stayed in Holborn to maximize his sleep hours and was back at the Chronicle’s offices shortly after dawn to continue. By the time his pay envelope was delivered in midafternoon, he’d put in a full day’s work and then some.

“I’m going to go over to the prison and see if I

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