Murder in Limehouse (A Dodo Dorchester Mystery Book 5) by Ann Sutton

Author:Ann Sutton [Sutton, Ann]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Wild Poppy Publishing
Published: 2021-09-29T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

“Let me get this straight,” said Lizzie, horror etched on her usually friendly features. “You want me to pretend to be a customer in an opium den in Limehouse and see if I can find out if anyone saw someone plant the knife by Miss Beatrice?”

“Exactly!” declared Dodo.

Dodo had confessed that their mission had failed but had shared only select parts of their alarming experience. To do otherwise would have been to sabotage the project from the beginning.

“No!” cried Lizzie. “I’ve been brought up as a God-fearing girl and I have my reputation to think about. I do have my limits m’lady, and you have just hit them. I have loitered, ambushed, and who knows what else for you but this—this is too much. No!”

Dodo’s heart sunk. There was no one else who could do it.

“The inspector over in Limehouse will likely be forced to arrest Beatrice unless we give him a reason not to,” said Rupert gently. “I will accompany you to the door and wait outside. You just need to go in and talk to the girls who work there and see if they know anything, then say you have changed your mind. You wouldn’t be in there for more than ten minutes.”

Lizzie fixed a glare on him that wavered as he smiled. Lizzie sighed. Dodo knew her well enough to know that she was beginning to consider their request. She felt a hint of guilt at planning to wear Lizzie down but swatted it away. Beatrice’s life was at stake.

“Would sending you to the tailor for a new dress for Christmas help at all?” Dodo asked.

Lizzie snapped her eyes over to Dodo who could see the cogs turning. They had reached the bargaining stage and Lizzie was becoming a shrewd negotiator.

“Would that dress come with a hat?”

Dodo puckered her lips. “It could.”

“What about shoes?” A glint in Lizzie’s eyes proved that animosity had been replaced by astute brokering.

“Certainly.”

“And a mink stole?”

Dodo choked.

“Just kidding,” said Lizzie slapping her thigh. “Just wanted to see how far you would go.” She narrowed her eyes. “What about my reputation?”

“Do you remember when I was still at school and Daddy’s horse was poisoned and we went to see a shady bookie?”

“How could I forget?” Lizzie declared.

“If you recall, we went in disguise to protect our identities. We could do the same again. I’m sure Mummy has things at the hidey hole that will work for you.” She glanced at the clock. “But we would have to leave now to get ready.”

Lizzie was clearly torn. Fancy dresses were her Achille’s heel. Dodo waited and glowered at Rupert to warn him not to say a word. They were sitting on a house of cards and one wrong word could send the whole thing toppling. As she watched her maid decide, a multitude of expressions passed over her pretty features.

“And you would be there?” Lizzie asked, directing the question to Rupert.

“You better believe it.”

Dodo hated the idea of not being where the action was, and her mind was working overtime to find a way to participate.

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