The photographs had been of a very high quality, much like what one would see in a photographer’s studio or on display in a gallery.
There was someone else who might be able to assist regarding those photographs— Lucy Penworth, who had once worked for the London Times and was now employed with Alex Sinclair of the Special Services— part of a group that operated beyond the usual boundaries of the police or the military in particularly sensitive matters on behalf of the Crown.
Lucy might very well have some thoughts regarding those photographs and those who provided photographs for the newspaper.
It would take a good portion of the day, and it would be hours before I would have a chance to go to the office on the Strand.
For now, the case was most important, particularly considering that note.
My call to my sister’s residence revealed that she was not there. She had already departed for the Grosvenor Hotel and the party that was planned at week’s end.
However, I was able to speak with Lucy Penworth at the offices of the Special Services. The matter was too serious for a lengthy telephone conversation, and we made arrangements to meet in an hour.
I pushed away from my desk.
“We will be having a guest.” I thought I might as well prepare Mrs. Ryan for Lily’s arrival.
“Mr. Brodie?” she inquired.
Apparently not, considering his departure the evening before.
“A young lady from Edinburgh.” How best to explain this as far as was needed? “An acquaintance from our last inquiry case, I’ve invited here. She will be arriving this afternoon. She’ll be staying for a while.”
Mrs. Ryan’s eyebrows had disappeared into her hairline. I rarely had guests, other than Brodie, due to my need for privacy when working on my novels.
In truth, it was a surprise to both Lily and myself as she had seemed most insistent that education and the prospect of a better life seemed boring, andnot for her, having to say yessir and yes ma’am all the time.
As she had explained it, the ladies treated her nice— most of the time, and whenever the brothel might re-open, Madame could pay her again, and she might have the opportunity to meet anice fella. As if nice, availablefellasappeared all the time among the clientele at a brothel.
Mrs. Ryan’s eyebrows were still among the missing.
“A young lady, miss?”
Even as she said it, I realized that might be a bit of a stretch of the imagination. However, if Lily had chosen to take up my offer, then I was going to do my part. Once I figured out what that was going to be.
I would be seeing my aunt no doubt when I went to Sussex Square. I would inquire about tutors and private school, along with other things that went along with sponsoring a young girl.
“The second bedroom will need to be prepared,” I replied as I put my notebook in my bag for my meeting with Lucy Penworth.
I dearly loved Mrs. Ryan. Other than my great aunt, she was undoubtedly as close to a mother as anyone might be to me. More particularly after the loss of her own daughter.
“Of course, miss.”
Her eyebrows still hadn’t made an appearance.
* * *
Lucy had agreed to meet me for luncheon at a tavern near the Tower where the offices of the Special Services were located. I had explained that I needed her assistance with a matter regarding a new inquiry case.
As she had described it, it was almost impossible to have a private conversation at the offices at the Tower.
“Everything is very hush, hush, with others listening all the time,” she had explained in that brief telephone conversation earlier.
She had arrived ahead at the Anchor and Bell, and waved from the table nearest the back as I entered.
I received the usual round of stares from the mostly male customers— not unusual as most pubs and taverns rarely saw a woman beyond the hired help. However, Lucy seemed quite comfortable and greeted me with a smile.
“I thought it best to meet here. They know me well enough,” she explained. “The cook’s wife is from Warsaw, and they serve a devilish good piroshky with soured cream.”
