His silence seemed to amuse Gillingham, and he smiled slightly. “Then I have to assume that since you’re both here, you are in the midst of a case already. I don’t know how in the world I could help, but I’ll try if that’s what you need.”
Derrick exchanged a quick glance with Barber and the other man gave a slight nod. The time had come to ask their favor, and given that Gillingham was, himself, an intelligent man with his own ability to investigate, there was no use dancing around the subject.
He drew a long, deep breath and said, “Have you heard of the Faceless Fox?”
Derrick watched as Gillingham flexed his hands in his lap as he said, “The jewel thief.”
“The very one,” Barber said with a smile. “Though some of what you read in the papers is exaggerated.”
“A puff of smoke who curls into the best of Society and steals the finest jewels, all while never being seen? One that the ladies wax romantic about?” Gillingham tilted his head with a smile. “Some of that is exaggerated? You don’t say.”
Barber laughed, but Derrick didn’t. It was important to stay focused now. “He’s been wreaking havoc across London for a year, officially. Though I think he’s likely been at it far longer, it’s only now that the papers have linked the more recent robberies.”
“He leaves a card behind, doesn’t he?” Gillingham asked. “A drawing of a fox?”
“Taunting us,” Derrick agreed with a frown.
“Taunting you, not the guard?”
“The guard is officially investigating, of course,” Barber said. “But the matter is…sensitive, as you might well imagine. Some of the titled gentry are not interested in talking to someone who isn’t of their rank.” He arched a brow. “Or their skin color.”
“Because they’re spoiled dolts,” Derrick interrupted with a frown toward his friend. “As if the fact that my grandfather is an earl is any indication of my intelligence or ability to solve a crime. You’re far more quick-minded than I am.”
“Well, you trade in what they want regardless,” Gillingham shrugged. “No harm in that. So you were contacted by one of the victims?”
“Two, actually,” Derrick admitted. “They want their jewels back and they’re willing to work together to find them. Barber and I have been investigating.”
“I hate to break it to you, gentlemen, but I am not the Faceless Fox,” Gillingham said with a chuckle.
“That’s a relief, or the question I’m about to ask you would have been awkward, indeed,” Derrick said. He leaned forward, draping his elbows over his knees and holding his old friend’s gaze evenly. “The Duke of Roseford is your brother, isn’t he?”
“Half-brother,” Gillingham said, and his smile faded.
“And he’s having a fete at his country home in about a week?” Derrick pressed. When Gillingham nodded, he continued, “Barber has found some evidence that the Fox might be trying to make his way into that party. There will be several important people in attendance. Several tempting jewels being worn by a handful of potential victims.”
“You want me to try to get Robert to…to stop the party?” Gillingham asked.
“No,” Derrick said. “I was hoping you could obtain an invitation for us.”
Gillingham blinked, and for a moment Derrick felt the sting of his position. Grandson of an earl or no, he had been out of that world for years, and had never fully belonged there to begin with. If his friend was trying to find a nice way to tell him there was no possibility he’d be invited to a duke’s soiree, this was going to be uncomfortable, indeed.
But instead, Gillingham pushed to his feet and made his way slowly to the window. He stared out over the garden, stretching his back and then turned back. “I have no doubt that my brother would gladly extend an invitation to you if I ask. But he’ll have questions. He’ll want to know why I’m asking this favor because we are not…close.”
“Will he believe a lie?” Barber asked.
Gillingham gave a small smile. “My brother? No. He has a disconcerting ability to suss out lies. Probably because he once told so many himself. He’ll know if you’re untrue.”
Derrick set his jaw. It was always better the fewer people knew about an investigation. He thought of what he knew about the Duke of Roseford. Once considered a wild child of the Upper Ten Thousand, he had certainly never been considered a villain. And he associated with several men who Derrick respected enormously. Since his marriage to the duchess, Roseford had been changed. Everyone commented on it.
“Very well,” he said softly. “Tell him the truth and see if he’ll extend an invitation. If he does, I’m happy to fill him in on the particulars once we reach Roseford.”
“I’ll do my best.”
Derrick moved forward and extended a hand, signaling that the meeting was at its end. But Gillingham still looked friendly as he shook Barber’s hand and then moved to Derrick. “The role suits you. Savior of the world.”
Derrick shrugged to push away his discomfort. “That’s you, friend. I’m just a man who recovers the jewels of fops who might not deserve them. I hope we’ll talk again soon.”
“After you return from London, I’d love to see you both more regularly.” They moved toward the foyer together and said their goodbyes.
