Henry shared an amused glance with Fletcher. “Perhaps we’ll make a police officer out of him if he keeps this up.”
“You’ll have to mention the idea to him. See if it takes hold.”
Henry nodded, deciding he’d continue to try to convince Marcus to attend the school Amelia was involved with. In truth, he didn’t care what Marcus chose to do with his life, as long as he left Whitechapel behind. Those dangerous streets were no place for a child, and Henry wanted to do what he could to protect the boy.
Before he found friends of a less savory nature.
Seven
Theremainderoftheday passed in a blur of activities, leaving Henry feeling pulled as taut as a violin string.
He updated Reynolds on what Charles Dunn had shared, and with the Director’s approval, ordered a copy of the postmortem report on Walter Dunn. He sent messages to the elder Mr. Dunn’s physician and his solicitor, requesting meetings as soon as possible, though he didn’t specify exactly why. He wished to see their reactions when he advised them of the nephew’s suspicions and inquire if they had any of their own.
A visit to Hollowgate Heights to speak with Dr. Cordelia Thorne would have to wait until he gathered as much information as possible—and he didn’t want to give the doctor a warning about the investigation.
And of course, the sanatorium wasn’t the only case on his desk. The jewelry shop owner had sent a list of the more expensive stolen items, along with sketches, so Henry requested a constable inquire at pawn shops in the general vicinity to see if anyone was trying to sell them.
Thank goodness he had Fletcher. His sergeant had departed to speak with Walter Dunn’s friends to see if they’d noted anything different in his demeanor prior to entering the sanatorium,and to try to learn more about the relationship between the deceased man and his nephew.
To Henry’s surprise, Mr. Dunn’s solicitor responded immediately, suggesting Henry come by as he had an opening in his schedule, so he left immediately.
Tobias Barnes kept a small office on Lombard Street in a narrow Georgian building that was somewhat difficult to locate, given the tarnished brass plate with faded lettering which was easy to overlook at first glance.
A clerk viewed Henry’s arrival from his perch at a tall desk where he’d been writing busily.
“Scotland Yard Inspector Henry Field, to see Mr. Barnes,” Henry advised as he showed his warrant card.
The clerk read the card, then looked him up and down as if taking his measure. He slid from his stool, straightening his jacket. “This way, please. Mr. Barnes is expecting you.”
Interesting. Perhaps the solicitor was as anxious to speak with Henry as he was to speak with him.
Mr. Barnes’s office contained a massive desk that dominated the room, shelves of leather-bound legal volumes, and a small table near the window with several chairs around it for friendlier conversations. Coal glowed in the small hearth, keeping out the late spring chill.
“Nice to meet you, Inspector Field.” The solicitor rose from behind the desk to hold out a hand. The small man appeared to be in his forties with a slender build and a head of thick black hair that an overabundance of pomade failed to tame.
“Thank you for seeing me.” Henry shook his hand and again offered his warrant card.
With barely a glance at it, Mr. Barnes gestured toward the chair before his desk. “Please have a seat. Your message mentioned an urgent matter regarding the late Mr. Dunn’s affairs?”
“Yes. I spoke with his nephew, Charles Dunn, who expressed concern about the change in his will prior to his death.”
The solicitor nodded. “He mentioned the same concern to me, of course, and I can’t blame him for his worry. Unfortunately the amendment Walter Dunn signed prior to his death appears to be in order. There can be no doubt it contains his signature.”
“It matches his previous ones?” Though Henry didn’t expect him to say no, he needed more details.
“Not his best, I’d say, but recognizable. A member of the staff at the sanatorium witnessed the signature, so proper legal practice was followed. It’s all in order.”
“Except for the part where Mr. Dunn was dead the following week.” Henry didn’t care for the way the solicitor seemed to brush aside the possibility of something being amiss with his client.
Mr. Barnes grimaced but lifted his hands, palms up. “That is truly unfortunate. But I’m certain you’re aware he had cancer for nearly two years, so it wasn’t completely unexpected.”
“You don’t find the timing concerning?”
“Questionable, yes, but you and I must consider the legalities rather than the emotions behind people’s actions.”
Henry didn’t appreciate the pointed remark. “Do you have any idea why Mr. Dunn might change his mind and give his entire estate to the sanatorium?”
“Perhaps out of gratitude for making his last days more comfortable?” The man shrugged. “Again, that’s not for me to say.”
