Juliet nodded. “It may be that Euan or Lyrica was pressuring or misleading Havilah’s lady’s maid to poison her under the pretense of medicinal powders. I found a doctor’s report of her symptoms in Leith’s safe here, and they’resynonymous with calomel. That maid—who happened to be attending Havilah alongside Minette’s sister—died after Havilah’s death. Minette said her sister, Édith, then ran away. She denies knowing where Édith is.”
“Did Leith do nothing about his suspicions at the time?”
“He attempted to locate Édith as well, to no avail. The attending physician, an elderly man, has since passed away. Leith’s legal defense is now aware of all this, but there are still missing pieces.”
“Be chary, then, until the whole truth is known.”
They drank their tea in silence until Juliet excused herself and said, “Please pray for me. I am especially skittish today.”
A blast of wind buffeted the carriage as it made its way slowly from Virginia Street to the Buchanan firm. Juliet held on to her hat as she and Minette stepped out of the coach’s damp confines and hurried through the door held open by a fellow merchant. Up the stairs they went to Leith’s offices, past the clerks’ chambers and rooms full of ledgers and an enormous vault. The scent of leather, paper, and ink hung about them, and today Juliet felt particularly unwelcome.
It was two o’clock. Leo Tate would join her at half past the hour. She was early, but she’d meant to be ahead of schedule.
Juliet closed the door behind her and went to a window while Minette sat in the chair outside in the corridor. Below on the street stood her guard. She was used to his movements by now, the slow swivel of his head as he surveyed everything coming and going, including everyone in and out of the bank and countinghouse.
Had she been wrong to confide in Loveday?
Bending her head, she shut out the rain-smeared panesand prayed. Or tried to. Since Leith’s arrest she’d barely been able to string together a coherent plea.
Father, forgive me for being so ... tapsalteerie.
Should she not instead be thanking Him for a victory won, truth to prevail? She did just that, listening for Leo’s familiar footfall, grateful for his intelligent insights and unswerving belief in Leith’s innocence. What had the factor found out? Could it be the key to Leith’s release?
She chafed as the minutes seemed to lengthen. A quarter till three. Leo was never late.
Something ominous stole over her as she looked out the window again. In his note, he’d said he would be coming from the bank. She scoured the street, but it was remarkably empty on so dreich a day. She crossed the room, opened the door, and shot a questioning glance at Minette, who raised her shoulders in answer.
And then the terrible truth dawned.
Leo Tate was not coming.
62
The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.
Unknown
At midnight in Leith’s candlelit Virginia Street study stood John Tennant once again.
He spoke slowly as if wanting Juliet to remember details. “We now have one death accounted for. Havilah Buchanan’s supposed suicide was in fact brought on by madness caused by calomel poisoning. There will be expert testimony at your husband’s trial, based on the residue tested by a renowned physician admitted to Havilah’s chambers at Virginia Street.”
Juliet put a hand to her suddenly aching head. So many frightening details.
“We have also located the missing maid—rather, she came forward when she heard that your husband was being charged for a crime he did not commit.”
Tennant turned as the door opened and Niall entered without knocking. Juliet felt another beat of alarm. Whatwas her brother-in-law doing here at such a late hour? Was Loveday with him?
Nay, not Loveday, but a petite woman who resembled Minette. Édith?
Introductions confirmed it was she.
“Does Minette know of your return?” Juliet asked her in concern.
“Not yet, madame. I am being safeguarded until the trial. I have information that may help your husband. Afterward my sister and I shall be reunited.”
Thanking her, Juliet looked to Niall.
“Loveday is safely asleep at our townhouse,” he said quickly, the flickering light showing shadows beneath his eyes. “I came under cover of darkness to avoid notice. I’m not wanting to rouse Euan’s suspicions. Given that, it might behoove us to work together instead of separately.”
