“The man has information that may be useful regarding Soropkin,” he replied.
The method of questioning him seemed a bit extreme, perhaps even brutal, I thought.
“I have some information as well. I’m certain that I have found the event for the eighteenth December indicated in that message…”
“Aye.” He proceeded to escort me back down the stairs.
“I thought you might want to know…” Once more I was cut off.
“It could be important,” I did manage to say as I attempted to free my arm.
“I understand.”
I hardly thought so.
“I need you to go to the Public House and wait there,” he then told me.
“What is it?” I demanded. “What has happened?”
“I will explain when I meet ye there.” And for emphasis he added, “I’ll not argue the matter with ye, Mikaela.”
I was not accustomed to this from him. If it was anyone else, I would have simply told them to stuff it as my friend Templeton was known to say, and then would have done as I pleased.
However…
“I’ll be waiting,” I frostily replied. I could always tell him to “stuff it” later.
I ordered coffee at the Public House and waited.
It was very near a full hour before Brodie finally appeared. I had seriously considered leaving, but there was that nagging little voice inside my head. I was curious about that scene at the office.
Miss Effie brought a second cup and fresh coffee.
“Mornin’, Mr. Brodie,” she greeted him. “Out and about early?”
He nodded and thanked her, then looked across the table at me.
“Before ye get yer temper up, there are reasons I sent ye away.”
“Before?” I pointedly replied.
He ignored that. “It was not the place for ye to be at the time.”
When I would have said something more, he shook his head.
There was something in his manner and the expression on his face. He obviously had little sleep the night before. That little voice cautioned that I at least listen to what he had to say.
“I had word from Sir Avery regarding additional information they received by way of telegram after we met with him,” he began, stopped, then continued.
“It seems that yer friend, Sir James Redstone, is very probably involved in the situation.”
“Ridiculous!” I replied quite vehemently which drew the attention of others about us.
I then asked with lowered voice. “Based upon what evidence?”
I should have known better. Brodie did not make assumptions or make statements without evidence to back it up. Still, there was a certain attitude ever since he had met Sir James.
Jealousy perhaps? The word was there, but that was hardly something that fit the man that I knew. With other things Brodie was prone to— stubbornness, a strong will, and that bloody Scot temper— jealousy didn’t make the list.
