Hearing Mikey and Matches’s signal, a subtle whistle that sounded like a bird call, Cull shook off the past. Pippa was inside. Time to get to work.
He used a trellis to scale the back wall, going through a window into Morton’s bedchamber. Having sent mudlarks to do surveillance last week, he’d planned his visit to coincide with the cook’s weekly shopping trip to the village and the maid’s day off. There was no one to disturb him as he rifled through Morton’s room.
Finding nothing of consequence in the man’s personal effects, he continued to the adjoining chamber, which appeared to function as a study. The décor featured crammed bookshelves and teetering stacks of newspapers and suited a bachelor schoolmaster. Spotting a globe on a stand next to the cluttered desk, Cull felt the upward jerk of his eye muscles. Why the gentry believed that a globe with a “secret” compartment would fool any thief was beyond him. The silly contraption stuck out like a sore thumb and practically shouted, “Search me.”
It was the work of a moment to find the mechanism that unlocked the globe. Flipping open the top half, Cull was greeted by the scent of floral perfume, which came from the stack of letters nestled in the bottom half. Cull picked up the letter on top. The cream-colored stationery was thick, the handwriting neat and feminine.
“What do we have here?” he said under his breath.
In the ten minutes that Pippa had been in Morton’s company, she’d come to two conclusions: he was a mild-mannered fellow, and he was hiding something.
The schoolmaster seemed pleasant enough, offering her tea, which they took at a table in the front parlor. They were sitting at one end as the other was piled with books. Morton was handsome in an unassuming way, with wavy blond hair, moss-green eyes, and a slender build. His clothing was simple and somber as befitted his profession. Yet Charlie had taught the Angels to recognize the tell-tale signs of deception, and Morton exhibited quite a few of them.
He was fidgety, his hair disheveled from the times he’d run his fingers through it. When Pippa had explained that she was a friend of Julianna’s who’d come here in hopes of finding justice for the murdered lady, his gaze had shifted like that of cornered prey. And now, as he spoke, his voice had a slightly raised pitch that suggested nerves.
“I don’t know why you think I can help, Lady Longmere,” Morton said.
“I was given to believe that you and Lady Hastings were quite close.”
Morton’s cup rattled in the saucer as he set it down. “How do you mean?”
“Did you not spend time together as children?”
“Oh…that. I mean, we did.” Morton ran his hand through his hair again. “Her father and mine were cronies, and I spent several summers at Mr. Turner’s estate. I was saddened at his passing—and Julianna’s too, of course,” he added hastily. “No one should die in such a horrible fashion.”
To Pippa, his words sounded trite…practiced.What is he concealing?
She leaned forward. “I agree. That is why I am here. Lady Hastings confided in me that she was afraid of her husband. But now he, too, is dead. And I believe the murders might be somehow related.”
“Surely that is a matter for the police.”
“The police have concluded that both were victims of random crime. They’re washing their hands of the case.”
“They are the experts. I am sure they arrived at their conclusion after careful consideration.” Morton moistened his lips. “Julianna is dead. Mucking about in her business will only stir up a scandal. If you are her friend as you claim, you should let her rest in peace.”
“How can she be at peace when her murderer is on the loose?”
“Why won’t you let it go?” Desperation colored the schoolmaster’s tone.
Pippa decided to switch tactics. “Perhaps you want me to let it go because her death made you a wealthy man? I know about Mr. Turner’s codicil, sir, and that you now stand to inherit half of his fortune.”
She had wanted to see Morton’s reaction and was rewarded by the angry flash in his eyes.
So, the schoolmaster is not as placid as he seems.
“I don’t care about the money,” he said tightly.
“You don’t care about two hundred thousand pounds?”
He straightened in his chair. “I would not hurt anyone for any sum. For any reason.”
Deliberately, she looked around the modest room. “With such an inheritance, you could dispense with the drudgery of work and enjoy a life of leisure. You would have the freedom to do whatever you wish.”
“I take pride in my profession, and Iamdoing what I enjoy. Indeed, I plan to use the money to establish schools for children of the working class.” Morton rose, his shoulders rigid. “If you’ll excuse me, my lady, I have lessons to prepare. I will see you out.”
Cull handed Pippa up into the carriage, following behind her. As the conveyance bumped down the country lane, she blurted, “They were having an affair.”
He blinked; he’d said the exact words at the same time.
