Death Makes Work For Idle Hands by C P Verity

Author:C P Verity
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: female sleuth historical, victorian murder mystery, gothic mystery, traditional british mystery, historical mystery series, amateur sleuth
Publisher: C P Verity
Published: 2023-05-17T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 15

‘Good Lord, Constance, are you trying to have us arrested?’ I asked, as we hurriedly seated ourselves back in the carriage. Charles rapped on the ceiling, and Mr Beetham clicked the reigns. With a judder, we were off, back to the safety of Dunn and Gonne.

‘I don’t know why you thought it wise to speak to him,’ Charles said, sagging back into the seat with a defeated air. ‘I was hoping that your presence would go unnoticed.’

‘I don’t mean that,’ I said, my voice rising. ‘Well, that as well, but Charles, she took the ring from the engineer’s hand.’

Charles responded only with a guttural groan, as though any hope he held of retaining his friendship with Locke was leaving his body.

‘I did replace it with a dupe. I’m not completely addle-pated. If you consider it carefully, Netty, I am sure you will agree that it was the safest option.’

‘Not after drawing Harrison’s attention to it,’ I snapped back. I folded my arms and glared at Constance. Her calm façade – albeit screened by her veil – only added to my irritation.

‘Oh, phoo. It was Charles who asked him if he knew who they belonged to.’

‘I did no such thing, I merely asked-’

‘That is by the bye. Either Harrison knows that we are investigating the box, or he does not. Either he has a vested interest in preventing us from doing so, or he does not. To have examined the ring in his presence – even have discussed the engraving I expect to see within it – would only have highlighted the link to Mr Langley’s case, and given him information which I did not want him to have.’

I surmised that there was no talking to her.

‘Besides, given that Charles, an official and professional private investigator who has worked with the police before, received the box of hands, it is barely worthy of comment that he wishes to see them again, or that he wishes to consult an expert on the contents. I was, as Charles can testify, very quick and subtle. I do not expect Harrison will suspect a thing.’

Charles gave another groan, the sound doing more to portray his feelings than words ever could.

‘And besides all that,’ Constance continued, her voice sounding not a little smug, ‘we’ll never get allowed back in now. Time was of the essence, as I surmised that Locke would likely discover our presence. Now we may look at the ring at our leisure, and as often as we wish. Really, this is the most comfortable outcome.’

‘He’s never going to forgive me for this,’ was all Charles could say in response, and I had to agree with him.

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