Aislynn snapped to attention. She had been woolgathering and could have missed a key factor to the investigation. Luckily, it was just Cordell announcing them to the man who answered his knock. She could not allow her thoughts to run away with her so effortlessly again.
As they entered the theatre, the man bade them wait just beyond the backstage entrance. “Did you see Miss Flynn’s body?” She hadn’t meant for the statement to come out so boldly but it was floating in the air between them, nonetheless.
“Yes.” He paused. “It was a similar scene to that of Miss Adams and Miss Smith, which makes me believe she was the assailant’s first victim.”
“Have other mass murderers had a similar… pattern?”
She could see his jaw visibly tighten. “Are you asking in general, or about my father in particular?”
She opened her mouth to reply but found that words had abruptly failed her. She cleared her throat. “Forgive me, I?—”
“In every instance,” he said firmly, “the actions have been the same. The killer seems to strike with the same ferocity with each victim, as if he is duplicating the first time over and over again.”
Aislynn tried not to be disturbed by his words, but the perfectly calm manner in which he spoke of something so heinous was not without additional inner concern.
“There is usually a design for the sudden madness, if not a specific reason for the abrupt change in character. That is still a topic that has sparked heated debates and horrifying cures that are nearly as torturous as the crimes themselves. The amount of chaos that the patients in Bedlam endure is unimaginable unless you have witnessed it firsthand.”
There was such a haunting sort of melancholy to his voice that made Aislynn yearn to reach out and touch his arm, to show him that he wasn’t alone in the nightmare of his memories, but she could not allow herself to offer that much comfort as much as she might want to do so. Until she was confident of his innocence, she had to be cautious of everyone—especially him.
Her very life depended upon it.
“Mr. Steele.” Aislynn glanced up to see a man in fashionable clothes walking toward them. Although he wasn’t attired quite as well as Cordell, Aislynn felt like a dour housekeeper in the midst of them. His beady gaze flicked to her. “I did not realize you would be bringing company. Are you sure this is a discussion that you care to have in front of your… lady friend?”
Aislynn decided that was her opening. Taking a step forward, she offered her most winning smile. “Mr. Ingram, is it? I daresay I can handle worse. My name is Aislynn Sims and if you are familiar with my reputation, then you should know that there were two gruesome murders that have recently taken place at the Theatre Royal. I am here to ensure it does not happen to me as well.”
He sniffed lightly. “It would be tragic should your young, thriving career be snuffed out so prematurely. Perhaps once this mess clears you will consider coming to the Royalty for a star performance. I am sure the crowd would be grateful to have you grace our stage.”
Aislynn wasn’t sure she ever wanted to step foot in this place again if Mr. Ingram was in charge. She didn’t care for his highhanded demeanor. But then, she supposed she ought to be used to it. She might be a main draw for the stage but she was nothing more than a prop for the rest of the business taking place beyond the curtain. It seemed that it was the same everywhere in London. “I will certainly consider it.”
He offered a tight smile and then turned his attention back to Cordell, effectively dismissing her. “I am not certain what further inquiries might accomplish, Mr. Steele, but you are welcome to revisit the scene of the crime and deduce for yourself if anything was missed. But I can assure you Mr. Reynolds was quite thorough.” He led the way further into the backstage of the theatre and they followed suit.
“I am sure he was. He has been a Runner for a number of years.”
“I admit I was surprised when you parted ways with such an established organization and decided to set out on your own merit. However, I can tell your efforts have paid off.”
Aislynn was impressed when Cordell didn’t rise to the bait Mr. Ingram was dangling in front of him. “I take great pride in seeing that justice has been served. I intend to succeed with finding Miss Flynn’s killer as well.”
“I am sure you will make every effort to do so.”
Mr. Ingram paused a short distance behind the curtain and waved a hand at the wooden floor where Aislynn could see a slight discoloration, as if made by blood. A chill passed through her and she had to glance away to compose herself. Noticing a row of dressing rooms, she had a thought. “Is Miss Flynn’s dressing room still free?”
“It has been occupied by temporary performers since the incident. Why do you ask?”
“Might I take a look inside?”
He shrugged. “Do what you will but I doubt you will find anything of much use.” His gaze flicked back to Cordell. “I shall be in my offices if you require my attention.”
Cordell decided two things. One, he did not care for Mr. Ingram’s dismissal of Aislynn. She was just as intelligent and capable of discovering evidence as any man. Compared to her talents against Reynolds, he was highly inclined to champion her.
And the second—he discovered that he was concerned about the exchange that had taken place between Aislynn and The Wolf. He imagined she was a bit uncertain around him this morning because of the intimacy between them the night before, but now he wasn’t so confident that was all that was bothering her. Her reticence definitely didn’t seem so easy to explain. However, since he had to remind himself that he was about to conduct a thorough investigation of the theatre, he knew his focus had to be solely on that for now.
After their reluctant host had departed, Aislynn said, “I will be in the dressing room looking for clues. Let me know if you find anything useful.”
“Of course. You will be the first to know.”
A flash of something passed in her gaze before she turned and set her back to him. Again, Cordell had the sensation that whatever The Wolf had imparted to her had not been complimentary in the least. That angered him because of everything he’d done to ensure the other man’s health recently. He could have refused to doctor him and sent him and the rest of his pack on their merry way. If he had done so that first night, Cordell was certain he would have bled out from his injuries. Instead, he had opened his home and how was he repaid?
Needless to say, he intended to find out the root of that conversation when he returned home.
