“I don’t see what’s so funny about that question.” Detective Hall straightened and leveled a glare at her that must make the worst of criminals shake in their boots. She certainly was.
“My sincere apologies for appearing to not take the question seriously. However, how I feel about Dupin is irrelevant to the truth of his innocence.”
He stepped to the table. “Then give us his name and address. If he is innocent, he has nothing to fear.”
“Nothing to fear?” Was he really so naive? Even now, the panic clawed at her throat. “What about those picketers outside? Or the downfall of his and his family’s reputation when the newspapers discover who he is? Or the manhunt underway? I assure you, there is plenty to fear.”
His demeanor suddenly softened. “Do you fear what Dupin might do to you if you reveal him?”
His sudden consideration and compassion took her aback. It was sweet and heroic but completely unnecessary. “I do not fear Dupin. I only fearforhim and his family. I’ll do anything to protect them.”
“Then tell us who his family is, and we’ll guard them.”
“My father is a coroner. I see the limitations of your resources. You do not have the necessary manpower to do that. Besides, the only way to protect them from scandal is for no one to know who they are in the first place. Dupin is innocent, I tell you. Turn your investigation elsewhere.”
“It doesn’t work that way, Miss Pelton.” Detective Lawson sighed. “He’s our best lead, and we must pursue it to the end. Now, you can either choose to reveal his identity, or we can inform Mr. Clemens of theCincinnati Commercialthat you are connected to Dupin and allow the public to extract the information from you. Who do you think Dupin would want you to protect more? Him or yourself?”
The cad!
Marcus shot to his feet. “That is an unfair and manipulative choice to require of her. No gentleman would place such a burden upon a woman.”
Detective Hall scrutinized Marcus, and the harder his stare grew, the tighter Lydia’s throat squeezed. If he’d noticed Marcus’s signals or the intimate conversation they’d held in the foyer, it was more than likely Marcus had just made himself the primary suspect.
“Marcus is not Dupin.” That was one truth she wouldn’t shy away from. He didn’t deserve the consequences of a false accusation.
“No one said he was.” Detective Lawson tented his fingers. “But your defense of him is intriguing.” The corner of his mouth twitched in suppressed satisfaction, probably because he thought they’d outwitted her.
Well, they both were wrong. “I can see the accusation in Detective Hall’s face just because Marcus came to my defense.”
“Other clues suggest his defense is more than gentlemanly concern.” Detective Hall crossed his arms.
“It’s true that I care a great deal about Lydia.” Marcus regarded her with eyes that confirmed he desired more than an editor-author relationship. “And if it will protect her, I will gladly claim Dupin’s identity.”
“No, Marcus.” She stood and gripped his arm. “You are not Dupin. You cannot lie to protect me.”
“A hero is always willing to make sacrifices for the woman he admires.”
The stolen quote from her last romance novel and his affectionate smile should have made her swoon into his arms and reward him with a kiss. At least that was how her heroine had responded. But not her. Not when it meant the loss of so much. Marcus needed a good shake by the collar and to be told he was being an idiot. Not only would the declaration ruin his reputation and career, but it would continue to waste the police’s time.
Or worse, he’d be convicted of something he hadn’t done.
She had to make him see reason. “This is a worthless sacrifice. Think of your job. Your reputation. Your family.”
“I think I get to determine what is worth the sacrifice and what is not, and you are worth every sacrifice.”
“I am sure Miss Pelton will enjoy adding your overtures to her next novel, Mr. Monroe, but we are not searching for heroes.” Detective Lawson rose from his chair. “However, you do fit the build of a man capable of committing murder. If you are claiming to be Dupin, then I’d like to see proof. Samples of your writing alongside the drafts that Dupin submitted for editing would suffice. We need to examine one of his manuscripts for another purpose anyway. I assume you have those filed somewhere on the premises?”
Marcus peeked at her, doing a poor job of hiding his distress.
They both knew the bluff would soon be found out and Detectives Hall and Lawson would return to pressuring her.
“It may take me some time.” Marcus gave her a meaningful stare that indicated she should use his absence to come up with a better story for Dupin’s identity. “The last book released three months ago, and edits were even farther back.”
“We have as long as you need. Hall, wait with Miss Pelton while I accompany Mr. Monroe.” The subtle glance at her and then back to Detective Hall clearly communicated his assignment—get her to talk.
“Yes, sir.”
The door clicked behind their exit, and Detective Hall took the seat Lawson had abandoned.
