This was news to Charlie. “Where did she go?”
“I’m not sure. Some place to mend a broken heart, she said.”
Charlie looked at Jack, wondering if they needed to track down the lovelorn miss. It seemed that she wouldn’t have much to add and had suffered enough already.
“We’ll leave her be for now,” Jack said quietly.
“Do you think that Tony’s patron was involved in his death?” Gilbert asked in a strained voice. “That he was killed over money? Or for some other reason?”
“We don’t have all the answers.” As ever, Jack was the master of evasion. “But we found something in Tony’s belongings and believe it may be a clue.”
Taking his cue, Charlie removed the vial from her reticule. “When we removed the stopper, the solution within this ampoule spontaneously began to smoke. It also started evaporating. We plugged the bottle immediately, but this is all that is left. Do you think you could identify the substance, Amara?”
Her friend took the vial, examining it in the light.
“Not with great confidence.” Amara shook her head. “While I have experimented with some chemical compounds, they are not my forte, and there is so little of the liquid left. If I attempt to analyze it, I might lose what remains of your clue. You need a more qualified expert for this, I’m afraid.”
“Thank you, dearest.” Charlie returned the vial to her reticule. “We shall find one.”
Amara tilted her head. “Are the Angels helping to find Tony’s murderer?”
“Not yet.” Coming to a decision, Charlie looked at Jack. “But I think it is time to bring them in.”
He gave a reluctant nod. She could guess that his superior wasn’t going to like more outsiders getting involved. Yet with the Great Exhibition opening in a week and anarchists to track down, the mission required all hands on deck.
“We will be happy to supply any equipment you may need,” Amara added.
“When you discover who killed my brother,” Gilbert said gruffly, “will you bring that bastard to justice?”
“You have my word, sir,” Jack said.
As the men rose and shook hands, Amara ushered Charlie aside.
“Is Mr. Granger who I think he is?” Amara asked in hushed tones.
Charlie blinked. “Um, what do you mean?”
“In all the time I’ve known you, there has only been one man you’ve talked about who could capture your attention and heart the way yourold friendMr. Granger does.” Amara widened her eyes. “Your former husband is even more handsome than I pictured.”
By now, Charlie oughtn’t to be surprised by her friend’s astuteness.
She blew out a breath. “He and I have a lot to iron out, obviously.”
“Obviously.”
“He left me. For twelve years.”
“The scoundrel,” Amara agreed, as any bosom friend would.
“I couldn’t possibly give him another chance,” she muttered.
“I said the same thing not long ago, but extenuating circumstances do exist. As I now know from personal experience, even a loyal husband can make a stupid decision.”
“He left to protect me,” Charlie blurted. “And he is…well, he’s a complicated man.”
“To be your match, he would have to be.”
“Would it be weak of me to forgive him?” She chewed on her lip. “After all that he’s done?”
