“You need to look out for each other and take no chances,” Constance instructed them. “You know what I mean, Janey, and the sorts of places I mean.”
Janey, who probably didn’t want Lenny to see the sort of world she had once called home, had turned scarlet to the ears but was nodding gamely.
“If you come across him in person, don’t confront him,” Solomon warned. “Send a message to Inspector Harris and to Hat, then come and find us.”
“Where will you be?” Lenny asked.
“First with the St. Johns,” Solomon said, “and then at the docks.”
“With my mother,” Constance said, wrinkling her nose. “And then wherever she sends me. We’ll keep in touch with Hat, too.”
Lenny and Janey left with cheerful determination. Constance put her hat back on.
Solomon caught her at the door, drawing her quickly into his arms. “Don’t be reckless, Constance. Don’t go alone into dangerous places. Wait for me to come with you.”
“I will,” she said before giving him a quick, warm kiss on the lips. “If it comes to it, I’ll take Gerry.”
Gerry was her mother’s longtime assistant who had known Constance since childhood. He was certainly street smart, though he didn’t fill Solomon with confidence. As far as Constance was concerned, no protector could.
But dwelling on such issues only served as distraction. So he kissed her back, and they left the building together before going their separate ways.
*
Solomon was admittedto the St. John residence immediately and was left alone only a few minutes before the footman conducted him to the lady of the house.
For once, Mrs. St. John was alone, standing in front of the empty fireplace to greet him.
“Mr. Grey,” she said, not cold precisely, but not welcoming, either, which gave him an inkling that there had been some change.
He bowed. “Good morning, ma’am. I apologize if I am intruding.”
She did not respond directly. “My soon-to-be son-in-law has told me of his…agreement with you. You should know that I do not altogether approve, either of your commission in particular or your profession in general.”
“It is certainly not usual,” he replied noncommittally, “but we have managed to help people in the past.”
Her nostrils flared in disbelief, or perhaps just distaste. “And you have come to quiz me? Interrogate me in my own home? Like thepolice?” There was a wealth of disdain in the last word.
“No, ma’am,” Solomon said, “although any information you might give me at this stage can only help. In fact, I come with news, which you might not yet have heard from the police. They have arrested a certain Veronique Kenny in connection with blackmail and, possibly, the murder of your husband.”
She blinked, clearly startled. “Veronique?” she repeated, sinking onto the nearest fireside chair. She blinked rapidly asthough clearing her head. “Murder, you say? But either it was an accident or the tramp was to blame!”
Solomon gazed down at her thoughtfully.
“And Veronique would not blackmail anyone!” Mrs. St. John declared as an incontrovertible fact.
“Seriously, ma’am? Have you never seen any of her accounts?”
“Why, no. They came straight to my husband.” She grimaced. “Although I suppose it is one of the things I shall have to learn to do myself. At least while Anthony is away…”
There was no time for a gentle approach. Brutally, Solomon recited the items and the amounts on the bills he had seen.
“Nonsense,” she scoffed. “Less than half of that for the most expensive of Bella’s gowns!”
Solomon handed her the paid bills. Her mouth fell open. There was no doubting her astonishment.
“But why?” she blurted. “Why would he have paid such an exorbitant sum? Why did he notaskme?”
“Because he was being blackmailed,” Solomon said patiently.
