“There is one additional matter.”
“Only one?”
I ignored the comment. “It seems that Brodie has sustained several injuries in Mr. Abberline’s care,” I continued. “He needs medical attention and better accommodation than a steel cot in a room no bigger than a closet since there has been no proof of any crime.” I kept a hold on my temper.
He was quiet for several moments. “I will see that Brodie’s injuries are provided for. As to the accommodation…”
He made a gesture as if this part was out of his control.
“He is presently under the authority of the Chief Inspector, and it would be frowned upon for me to interfere.”
He was playing politics. I wasn’t.
“The Chief Inspector and the Agency are both under the authority of the Home Secretary,” I pointed out.
I was relying on that intelligence and shrewdness to understand the unspoken, that I would not hesitate to contact the Home Secretary or anyone else who could assist in this situation.
“Surely there are more comfortable accommodations, particularly in consideration of his injuries.”
Sir Avery nodded. “I will see that it is taken care of, and that Mr. Sinclair is available to assist your inquiries in this case. He can be available?—”
“I prefer immediately,” I said then.
Sir Avery smiled. “As you say, immediately. Where will you inquire next?”
“There was a man who may have seen something the night Stephen Matthews was killed. I want to find him and question him. And then I would like to speak with Sir Edward Matthews. He may be able to provide information about the night his son was killed as well.”
“Argosy Trading Company. You believe the two murders are connected?”
“Ellie Sutton saw the murderer that night. It was the reason she left London. It is reasonable to assume that the murderer is still here in London and may be responsible for her death as well.”
“Be careful with Matthews,” he cautioned. “He’s shrewd and he’s been known to go around the rules from time to time.”
“What sort of rules?”
“The sort that have made him a very wealthy man, and enriched the fortunes of the Crown. I suppose that is little comfort with no one to pass it on to. Take it as a warning.” Then he added, “I would not want you to run afoul of the man before you fulfill your part of our bargain.”
“That was a long meetin’,” Munro commented as I informed him that we now had the assistance of the Agency in the matter of Ellie Sutton’s murder.
He gave me a look that I was familiar with from Brodie.
“The man musta had a great deal to say in that regard.”
“Yes, and it’s very possible that I may have just made a bargain with the Devil,” I replied and told him that we were to meet with Alex, and now had the resources of the Agency.
“The Devil for certain,” he commented and shook his head. “If Brodie were here...”
That was precisely the point. Brodie was not here, and it was already done.
We met with Alex for very near two hours. I explained what we knew about Ellie Sutton’s murder, and what Brodie had shared about Stephen Matthews’ murder when he was still with the MET.
“And there has been a man seen at your town house?”
I gave him the description that Brodie had provided, and then the clues that we had found.
“A man with a taste for brandy and the imprint of that boot,” Alex nodded.
“And a man—perhaps the same man—who wears fine clothes and a bowler hat,” Lucy Penworth added the notes to the board in Alex’s office after she joined us.
