Aislynn leaned forward and put her head in her hands. She did not want to think about Cordell sharing her feelings. That was dangerous in the extreme, especially when she had her own goals to achieve in life. She might care a great deal for Cordell, and certainly didn’t want to see him injured, but she could not risk her future dreams on something that might not even last. It was good that they were currently apart because perhaps the distance might give her some clarification, to bring her emotions back to reality, instead of living in some sort of fantasy world where she could live happily ever after with her handsome prince. She had witnessed the downfall of too many princesses to suggest the same might not happen to her. She shared a mutual attraction with Cordell, but it did not go any deeper than that. Mary might think she understood Cordell because of one night of weakness, but that did not mean he was prepared to get down on one knee and ask her to be his for the rest of their days. However, Aislynn was cynical enough to know that would never happen. Cordell had made it perfectly clear that he would never marry and knowingly father children. He might have faltered on one vow, but it would take a miracle for him to give in to anything further. Carnal pleasures were something completely different than sharing a life with someone when there were ghosts haunting them at every corner.
Those demons were not so easily dismissed.
It had been a long night and an even longer morning, but Cordell was somehow energized. He had discovered a strength of will within himself like he’d never known before. Perhaps it was the passion he’d shared with Aislynn, or the thrill of the chase that continued to keep him alert. Perhaps it was a combination of the two. Whatever the reason, he left the pub with Reynolds at his side and a shared comradery between them that had been lacking until that moment. It was strange that for as long as they had known each other they had merely tolerated each other’s presence, but one night working tirelessly side by side for a common goal, in this instance, had somehow earned a mutual respect.
“I do not feel as if we are any closer to solving this blasted case,” Reynolds grumbled. “How is it that the murder happened so close and no one seems to know anything about it?”
The look of weariness Cordell saw around the older man’s eyes was somehow more pronounced and he realized that he had been clinging to a weak solution when he’d written his name on the list of suspects. He was convinced more than ever of his innocence. Some things just couldn’t lack a certain genuine quality.
“Timing is everything,” Cordell murmured. “The man we are after does not conform to hours when there is a lot of traffic in the area. He wants to be able to take his time and coerce his victims before he takes their life.”
Reynolds narrowed his eyes. “What makes you come to that conclusion?”
Cordell looked at him steadily. “Do you not recall the many patients I have observed over the years at Bedlam? I have been able to associate certain characteristics with this man.”
“Then how about you tell us where he is so we can end this madness.”
His mouth kicked up at the corner. “If only I could. Trust me when I say this is a real concern that overwhelms me.”
“You are speaking of Miss Sims.”
It wasn’t a question, but more a statement of fact. Cordell could lie but he decided to offer that much truth. He had never been one to air either his grievances or his victories but he found he was not averse to speaking on this subject. In truth, he could use some advice. “I am. I have grown rather fond of her.”
His companion snorted. “You and nearly everyone else in London.” He looked off into the distance as if something had gained his particular attention but Cordell could tell he was merely in deep thought. “Perhaps that is what we have been missing.” He shifted his focus to Cordell. “Miss Sims is a rising name on the stage whereas the women who are being slaughtered have no chance of gaining the same sort of popularity.”
Cordell’s eyes widened slightly. “You do not believe that someone is trying to sabotage Miss Sims but to ensure her successes?”
“I do.”
It was the first time Cordell had thought of the killer’s motives in that light. He had been focused on the attack at her flat that he hadn’t stopped to consider that was all part of the act. But why go to such lengths to scare her if the intention was to assist her to the top?
The matter would certainly require additional thought. It shed an entirely new light on the reasons the murderer had to protect Miss Sims, if that was what he was doing.
“I need to speak with Miss Sims and discover if there might be anyone in her past that could fit such a description, someone who could have a misplaced loyalty, who would believe harming others would benefit her career.”
“I will alert you if there are any further developments.” Reynolds tipped his hat and strode off the opposite side of the street.
Cordell was slower to depart, his thoughts swirling with a new list of infinite possibilities. He decided that the person responsible might now be someone much closer to Aislynn than he’d originally imagined. It could be that the killer was obsessed with Aislynn for other reasons entirely.
He told himself to slow his steps as he hailed down a hackney to take him to Spade’s. He wasn’t even sure if Aislynn would agree to see him but hopefully, she would not let their current turmoil stand in the way of an important investigation. He wasn’t sure what sort of opposition he might face when he arrived, but that was the argument he was going to present to her.
After being let inside, Cordell made his way to Mary’s private parlor but he stopped short when he saw Aislynn standing outside the door and appearing to be waiting for him. He slowed his stride, wondering if she was going to rail at him in the midst of the foyer but he was pleasantly surprised when she kept her voice level. “I was informed there was another murder last evening. I would like to know what happened.”
He wasn’t sure if he was relieved that she was dispelling any sort of intimacy between them but he realized it was best to focus on neutral territory. “It was at the Covent Garden Theatre. A woman by the name of Miss Charlotte Wilkes. Were you familiar with her?”
She closed her eyes briefly, as if saying a small prayer for the woman’s demise. “I was not.”
“I spoke with Reynolds last night and explained how you had discovered a personal letter in Miss Flynn’s dressing room. He was eager to know if you might uncover something similar for Miss Wilkes.”
“I can certainly try.”
A moment of uncomfortable silence interceded but since Cordell didn’t want to set her at any further unease around him, he inclined his head. “I shall await you outside in the carriage.”
Forcing himself not to look at her again, he turned on his heel.
Chapter
Fifteen
