“Ye are such a heathen,” Brodie replied. “The funeral is necessary for people to mourn,” he pointed out.
“I think it would be much better to appreciate someone when they are alive,” I replied.
“Has anyone ever told ye that ye have a peculiar way about such things?”
“My sister believes it’s quite barbaric,” I admitted. “However, my great-aunt is of much the same opinion.”
“Of course,” Brodie replied. “I’m surprised she hasna decided to go out with yer ancestor’s sword and shield in that boat she has in the salon at Sussex Square.”
“She has mentioned it, however I believe now that she intends for Lily to have the sword. Once she’straveled on, as they say.”
“Traveled on?”
I heard the skepticism at his voice. “Ye believe there are those who dinnae?”
“According to Templeton, many simply transition into another life,” I replied, something I had given a great deal of thought. It did answer some questions for those who claimed to see spectral objects and heard things go bump in the night.
“Transition?”
“Entering another life,” I explained, at which Brodie’s eyes rolled back. “To take care of things left undone, or to make amends for some transgression. For others I suppose it could simply be their refusal to leave this world.”
“Templeton,” he commented, with that sound I was most familiar with as he left his chair and rounded the desk.
“Witches, goblins, and spirits in the night as well, I suppose?”
“What do you believe?” I asked, since we had not previously had that conversation.
“I’ve seen too much of death and not experienced a spirit after, even though I might have wished it.” He brushed my cheek with his fingers.
“I believe in what I can see and touch.”
“I shall have to haunt you when I return,” I replied.
I wondered if I would be able to feel such things as the touch of a hand. I would have to remember to ask my friend.
Six
FRIDAY
There wassomeone I wanted very much to meet with, as regarded our case and most certainly not for any other reason—Theodolphus Burke with the Times newspaper.
He had managed to arrive at the print shop quite expeditiously for his story in the newspaper when the call went out after Charlotte Mallory was found murdered. He did seem to have a talent for arriving first on the scene of a crime, thereby putting out the story before the other newspapers.
I did have my suspicions about that, perhaps payment changing hands to the watch captain as Brodie had once suggested. However, I wanted to see if there was anything I might be able to learn from him that he hadn’t written about.
“Do ye want me to accompany ye?” Brodie had asked as we both dressed for the day.
“I can handle Mr. Burke. You can be somewhat intimidating.”
A dark brow, the one with the scar, angled sharply.
“Intimidating? Ye have never been the least intimidated by meself.”
“That is because I know what that look actually means when you look atmethat way.”
“Usually when ye’ve done somethin’ ye shouldna, that put ye in danger.”
“And other things…” I reminded him.
