Laws of Witchcraft: A Novel from the World of GLASS AND STEELE by C.J. Archer

Author:C.J. Archer [Archer, C.J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: cjarcher.com

Chapter 10

The police had moved the press and angry mob on from the front of Mr. Kinloch’s house, but a few had found their way to the rear mews entrance. We’d planned on approaching Redmayne that way to avoid interacting with Mr. Kinloch, but decided it was better to knock on the front door now. As hoped, Redmayne answered.

He looked annoyed to see us, but did not attempt to shut the door in our faces. “Mr. Kinloch is not available.”

“We don’t want to speak to him,” Oscar said. “We want to ask you about your previous employment.”

Redmayne tried to close the door, but Oscar muscled into the gap, forcing the butler back. We followed and I shut the door behind us.

Redmayne drew himself up to his full, impressive height. He towered over me, and I would have been intimidated if I were alone with him. “This is outrageous! I’ll send for the police.”

“We have D.I. Smith’s approval to investigate,” Oscar said. “Now, about your previous place of employment. Why did you leave?”

“I was ready to be promoted from footman to butler, but that position was already taken there.” Redmayne jutted his square chin forward. “There is nothing suspicious about changing employment.”

“It is a little bit when it’s at the same time a girl living there was kidnapped and later found dead.”

“That had nothing to do with me and any suggestion that I was involved is slanderous. Now get out!” He grabbed hold of Oscar’s arm, but Oscar wrenched free.

Miss Wheeler jabbed the end of her umbrella against the butler’s stomach, forcing him to take a step back. “Let’s keep this civilized.” She lowered her umbrella. “You realize we can simply go to that house and learn more about you. This way, you have the opportunity to give your version of events.”

He stared wide-eyed at her and his lips parted, but he failed to utter a word. I quite understood his shock. Miss Wheeler was a revelation.

Footsteps on the staircase signaled the arrival of Mr. Kinloch. “What the devil? Barratt, Professor? And Miss Wheeler, too. What is this all about?”

“We’re investigating the disappearance of the two women from Moray Place,” Oscar said.

“Why?”

“We felt compelled to assist the police.” Oscar indicated Redmayne. “We learned that your butler worked as a footman at another house before coming here, and that a young woman went missing from there. She was later found dead.”

Mr. Kinloch tensed but showed no surprise. “That was years ago. It also had nothing to do with Redmayne. His departure from that household to come here was merely a—” He cut himself off and his gaze slid to the butler.

“Merely a what?” Oscar prompted.

“A coincidence.” Mr. Kinloch stepped around us and opened the front door. “I’m asking you politely to leave us alone.”

“You’ve thought of something.” Oscar spoke to Mr. Kinloch, but kept his gaze on the rigid figure of the butler.

Mr. Kinloch grunted. “I wondered if I would regret selling the book to a former journalist, but I’d thought you were a level above the gutter press, Barratt.

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