There was that.
I then explained that prior to her arrival, my aunt had been planning a safari to Africa.
“She intends to live for at least another twenty years,” I assured her. “And I am certain she will accomplish it. She bested you in the duel,” I reminded her.
“By then you will be a grown woman and off on your own adventures.”
The smile returned. “I was just askin’… Just in case.”
I understood only too well— that need to belong, to know that there was someone there… when the nightmares came. Someone you could, perhaps, curl up against in the middle of the night.
We put the swords and other weapons away, and I gathered up the pieces of my costume. When we arrived back downstairs, it appeared that we were alone except for the housekeeper and a handful of servants. Linnie and my aunt had departed for the Grosvenor Hotel.
Lily looked at me expectantly. It seemed there was only one thing to do.
We packed up our costumes to take with us, I requested my aunt’s cabriolet coach, and we set off for the office on the Strand.
Not unusual for October 31, even at midday, there were several costumed people on the streets as we passed by. Lily was fascinated, leaning out the coach window and announcing each new goblin or scarecrow we passed, along with someone dressed as an undertaker with a skeleton mask.
“I ain’t never seen such things,” she exclaimed.
I didn’t bother to correct her, as we arrived at the office on the Strand.
“Mornin’, miss.” Mr. Cavendish greeted me as I stepped down from the coach. “And who might this be?” he asked as Lily stepped down beside me.
After I made the introductions, including Rupert the hound, Lily tugged at my sleeve.
“Is that a costume too?” she asked with a look in Mr. Cavendish’s direction. “Where’s his legs?”
“I don’t need a costume, little miss,” he informed her with a grin, obviously having overheard her comment. “And as for me legs, a great big whale had them fer supper. A warning to you.”
“Did you kill the whale then?”
“I harpooned ’im and he dove to the bottom of the ocean, never to be seen again.”
Oh my, nowhere near the truth, but they were both having far too much delight in the moment.
“Will there be one more for midday meal?” Mr. Cavendish then asked as I turned toward the stairs.
It did seem that Lily would be joining us. I nodded. “Is he about?”
“Since early morn, and presently with Mr. Dooley.”
I wondered if there was a new development in the case.
I thanked Mr. Cavendish and led the way to the office at the top of the stairs.
Eleven
Brodie and Mr. Dooleyboth looked up as we entered the office. There was mild surprise in the expression on Brodie’s face while Mr. Dooley nodded a greeting.
“Mornin’, Miss Forsythe.”
I caught the frown on Lily’s face, not surprising considering the establishment where she had worked in Edinburgh.
“Mr. Dooley is a longtime associate of Mr. Brodie,” I explained. “They once worked together.”
Apparently satisfied with that, the frown was replaced with a cautious smile. “Mr. Dooley.” She then went to the chalkboard where I had made my earlier and very meager notes.
