She just hoped that he didn’t do anything to put himself at risk.
It was the last thing she wanted.
But with Jonny, one never knew for sure.
Jonny was fuming as they approached the Gothic building, its intricate stonework and pointed arches of red brick and stone grand and imposing.
Very little, however, could make him stand down. Especially when he was defending someone he loved. Yes. Loved.
He held the door open for Ada to enter, letting her father take it on his own as they stepped inside the spacious hall, its high ceilings adorned with decorative plasterwork, large windows allowing natural light to flood the space, focusing on the wide stage in the middle of the main hall, where one man currently stood, speaking to the group of people in front of him, all sitting in chairs.
It didn’t take Jonny long to spot the Carters, sitting in the front row of the meeting.
“Now,” came the short, portly man who stood at thefront, hands clasping the podium in front of him, “is there any other business?”
Jonny watched the Carters as he sensed they were poised to stand, but first, a few other men stepped forward and addressed trifling matters.
Finally, when it seemed there was no other business, Mr. Carter, David’s father, stepped forward.
“I have business,” he said, raising his hand. Ada’s father started toward the stage, but Jonny put out a hand to stop him, shaking his head.
Carter stepped up to the podium.
“I would like to put forward a motion to remove one of our members,” he said, causing murmurings to begin through the crowd. “Information has come to my attention that proves Jones Ammunition is no longer a trustworthy member.”
The murmurings grew in volume as the other members began looking around the hall, someone finally spotting Ada’s father and pointing a finger at him.
“There he is! Defend yourself, sir!”
Another man stood up. “What is your accusation, Carter? We need more than that.”
A few others stood and began shouting back and forth, some in defense of Jones, others siding with Carter.
“Enough!” the portly leader finally said, returning to the stage, though he didn’t send Carter away. “Mr. Carter, please state your concern with the business in question.”
“Very well. I didn’t want to do this, but as I am being forced to,” Carter said with a sigh, his acting not exactly praiseworthy. “Mr. Jones’ daughter is at fault for the murder of Barker Blackwood, who she shot with Jones’ own pistol and ammunition. If he cannot control his own daughter, what will happen with anyone else who has their hands on his product?”
The murmurings were now resounding through the hall, which seemed to have been built for its acoustics.
Jonny had quite enough of this, especially when some of the members seemed to recognize Ada and fixed their angry glares and accusatory fingers upon her.
Keeping Ada in his sights to ensure her safety, he strode up the stairs, much to the surprise of Carter and the Chamber leader.
“Enough!” he shouted, somewhat quieting the crowd. “This accusation is ridiculous, and I should know. Ada Jones didn’t shoot Barker Blackwood.” Everyone stared at him. “I did.”
Then everything erupted.
Ada sat, taking deep breaths through her nose.
She refused to leave the police house, no matter how many times Jonny had told her to go, especially now that Colin and Lily had arrived, although even as a solicitor, there wasn’t much that Colin could do right now.
Ada wished she could speak to Jonny alone, but Inspector Finch hadn’t allowed it. He had shown up at the hall so soon after Jonny’s announcement that Ada couldn’t help but wonder if there was more to it, if someone hadn’t summoned him there.
She couldn’t imagine how that would have been possible, however, if Jonny was the only one who had been aware of his own intentions.
She wasn’t sure how long she had sat there on that bench in the police waiting room, next to Lily and Colin, until finally, Inspector Finch emerged, followed closely by Jonny.
“Don’t go far, Tate,” Inspector Finch said, settling a curious stare on Ada before he turned and walked away.
