Lillie’s face was shadowed, but she brightened perceptibly as she moved to make room. Earnest handed Grace a small bouquet of flowers that matched the one that Lillie was clutching in her hands. “A little something from our garden, in the hopes it might cheer you.” He lowered his voice. “I hope it does, as I faced the wrath of our formidable gardener for picking them.”
“How delightful. I am effectively cheered.” Grace smelled the fresh tulips and Virginia bluebells. She squeezed Lillie’s arm and asked, “How did you escape this morning?”
“I told my parents I was going to the fair with Mr. Parker and the Allreds,” Lillie said. “I thought Frannie might come today, but she’s been so scarce. She must be taking Harriet’s death hard.”
Grace wanted to tell Lillie that Frannie was no friend at all. But she couldn’t very well say that in front of Earnest, no matter how much he might agree with her. She took one look at Lillie’s anxious face and decided that she wouldn’t add that burden to her now.
“Perhaps we’ll see her today,” Grace said. “I think we should go to the fair after our visit with Oliver.”
“The fewer lies we tell the better?” Lillie ventured ruefully.
“And because of the people there we need to talk to.”
Earnest helped them out of the carriage.
The Four Courts jail was an imposing building three stories tall and the length of a city block. It was made of buff limestone and its mansard roofs were topped with a decorative cupola. It would have been lovely save for the large, foreboding morgue on the northeast corner, and the gallows in the courtyard where the public executions took place.
When they stepped inside the first floor of the jail building, the doors slammed behind them and the air was laced with chill. Theo spoke to the head jailer and his clerk, exchanging words in low voices. The clerk glanced over at Lillie and Grace and Earnest.
Then the head jailer gave a dismissive nod, and the clerk walked them through the long corridor, their steps echoing. Earnest took Lillie and Grace on each arm, and Grace was grateful for his solid presence. Lillie seemed grateful for it, too, especially as the clerk unlocked a door and brought them into a private room.
Oliver was sitting at a wooden table. He was handcuffed and had an armed guard with him.
“Oliver,” Lillie said. She ran forward to hug him, and the guard stared straight ahead.
Oliver wiped the tears falling from Lillie’s face. “I’m sorry I have caused you all this pain,” he said.
“We’re going to get you out of here, Ollie,” Lillie said. “Grace and me. Even if everyone else fails.” Her voice became steel. “I swear to you.”
“They won’t let you post bail?” Earnest asked, joining him at the table. “Surely your parents would post it for you.”
“They won’t,” he said.
“But why not?” Lillie asked.
“I’m up against bigger forces than even the Carter name can handle.”
“What do you mean?” Grace asked.
“They need this to be a lovers’ quarrel. Nothing more. Which means no one is eager to find another culprit.”
“So they aren’t even looking?” Lillie’s face went white.
There was a beat of silence.
“It will be much better for you if it’s an overdose,” Earnest said quietly.
Oliver shook his head vehemently. “She wasn’t on anything that night. Or any other. That just… wasn’t who she was.”
But how well had any of them known her?Grace wondered. Harriet had been hiding something, and it had gotten her killed.
“What were you arguing about just before she died?” Grace asked.
“I was inquiring about why on earth she went to the Tunnels. She told me she was meeting someone, but she couldn’t talk about it there. I asked if it was romantic in nature.”
“Did she deny it?” Grace asked.
“She was indignant. She said of course not. She insisted that it was something professional. But the argument began because she was insulted, and she also asked if I was spying on her.”
