For his part, Abberline had the audacity, or ignorance, to smile. “Not at all, merely a… concern.”
Brodie nodded with incredible calm that much reminded me of Rupert, the hound, before he methodically began to separate a limb from some carcass he had dragged back to the alcove under the office on the Strand.
“There is no need for yer concern,” Brodie told him. “Miss Forsythe has no need of protection.”
I did appreciate the compliment.
“However, in the event that she should, the person would have to answer to me.”
I had never felt that I needed Brodie’s assistance or his protection. However, the situation at the Crystal Palace some months previous came to mind after I had been shot. Then, when I took myself off in search of a missing boy and found myself being hunted by men and hounds. More recently I had been trapped in an underground vault. And each time, Brodie was there...
Not that I couldn’t have handled each of the situations myself, I thought. And then there was Abberline— obnoxious in the least, arrogant and much like a bug that I would have liked very much to squash.
“Yes, well, I’m certain that your vigilance is very reassuring, Brodie,” the chief inspector replied as a clerk arrived to inform him that the room he had requested was available along with the docket files as well as the two constables who had found Amelia Mainwaring’s body.
Brodie nodded. “And if I should have an additional request?”
I sensed more that passed between the two men and thought of the costume Lily wanted to wear to my aunt’s All Hallows party— chain mail and swords, combatants squared off at each other. An amusing thought, but not far off the mark.
“You have only to ask, of course.”
To which a most colorful comment sprang into my mind. Translation? When pigs fly.
“Mr. Timmons will assist in whatever way you need.”
With that we were escorted by Mr. Timmons down a hallway adjacent to the front desk and into a small office where the docket file with the report the two constables had made after finding Amelia Mainwaring’s body had been laid out.
Along with that were our two guards that were mentioned— the young constable, Mr. Timmons, and another constable who positioned himself just outside the office door. Mr. Timmons nodded sheepishly.
“Most interesting conversation,” I commented.
I removed my coat and hat and set both aside then took out my notebook and pen. I looked over as Brodie did the same.
In the past I would have either argued or ignored a comment that anyone would have to answer to him for me. I was not in the habit of needing anyone to fight my battles for me.
Most certainly there had never been anyone, not even my father the short time he was part of mine and Linnie’s lives. And the truth was that if anyone tried to hurt her, they had to answer tome.
This was something quite new for me. Oddly enough I didn’t feel the need to argue the point with him.
“If you don’t mind, sir,” Constable Timmons said somewhat hesitantly as he approached the desk.
“The chief inspector said I was to remain if you should need anything more.”
“I would like to speak to the constables who found her body,” Brodie informed him.
“Mr. Abberline said this was all we were to provide sir. Beggin’ yer pardon.”
I looked over at Brodie.
“Thank ye, Timmons. I’ll be certain to let ye know if there is anything else,” he replied.
The constable leaned in close. “You should know that I don’t agree with some of the chief inspector’s ways… Mr. Handley neither.” He angled a look through the door at the constable there, our second guard if we should become unruly or break any laws.
“He said as how he worked with you before and respected you. We’re just followin’ orders.”
“Quite all right, Timmons,” Brodie replied. “I understand.”
Timmons then took up his post inside the door to make certain that we didn’t pinch any of the files.
