“Why ever not?” Outrage sharpened Amelia’s tone and nearly madeHenry smile.
“Our guests are encouraged to focus on their well-being rather than anything happening in the outside world.” The man’s smile suggested they surely understood, his face pale as if he rarely saw the light of day. “That provides the best results for our guests.”
Henry glanced at Amelia, certain she would be as dissatisfied with the answer as he was. The irritated look she flashed him confirmed it.
But this wasn’t an active investigation. He wasn’t on duty here; he was a private citizen. He could hardly show his warrant card and demand to speak with Miss Elmcroft without cause. They weren’t family. While he wasn’t opposed to bending rules now and again, the police department already had a poor reputation with much of the public. Pressing to see Miss Elmcroft using his position as a detective would be unwise at this juncture.
At least, for now.
“Of course we wouldn’t want to interrupt aguest’streatment,” Henry said calmly, emphasizing the odd term, “but we do want to ensure our friend is well.”
The man’s smile faded. Clearly he didn’t appreciate Henry’s remark, his small, dark eyes hardening. “If she weren’t, we would already have offered additional care.”
“That does relieve my mind,” Amelia added, her smile anything but sincere as she glanced at Henry. “I’m sure you can understand our concern for a loved one. Is there some other way we can reassure ourselves as to her safety? Perhaps observe her from a distance, or exchange a brief message with her. We have no wish to disrupt her treatment, but—”
“Neither are permitted. I’m sorry.” The man stepped back, clearly intending to close the door in their faces.
And that was something Henry refused to allow. He used a method his sergeant often practiced and stuck his foot firmly in the doorway before leaning forward. “I must insist.” Henry fixed the man with a firm gaze, making it clear he wouldn’t accept a refusal.
There were times when his height and build were advantageous, and this was one of them, as he towered over the smaller man. The man huffed, glancing about as if trying to determine what to do.
“It will only take a moment of your time,” Amelia continued in a polite tone. “Then we will be on our way.”
“I…suppose I could pass a brief message to her,” the man conceded, still obviously uncertain. “But it must not contain anything that might distract her from her health regimen.”
“I understand.” Amelia nodded. “I will take care.”
The man looked over his shoulder, then glared at Henry and his foot. “If you will permit me the kindness of removing your foot, I will retrieve paper and pen.”
Henry was about to refuse, certain the man would simply lock it without doing anything of the sort—and he was not the only one.
“No need.” Amelia opened her reticule and pulled out a small notepad and pencil. “I have what I need right here.”
The man’s obvious displeasure amused Henry, who inquired, “Your name?”
“Stephen Duffield,” the man said reluctantly.
“And what is your position here?”
A flush of unease reddened Mr. Duffield’s face. “Porter. What’s it to you?”
“Just curious,” Henry advised, sending a pointed glance at his white coat.
“Oh.” The man brushed his hands down the length of it. “All of the staff wears them. Doctor’s orders. Makes us look more professional.”
While Henry pondered that Amelia finished writing her short message on a sheet of paper, folded it, and handed it to the porter. “We look forward to receiving Miss Elmcroft’s reply.”
“Miss Elmcroft?” Mr. Duffield took the paper and without hesitation, opened it to read what Amelia had written.
Her gasp of outrage only received a condescending smile from the porter. “All correspondence is carefully scrutinized before being shown to our guests. As I previously mentioned, we don’t want their attention drawn from their care.” He looked pointedly at Henry’s foot again, but he didn’t budge.
“Surely there is somewhere we can wait inside,” Henry suggested. At the very least, he wanted a closer look at the place. Something was amiss. Something unsettling.
Again, the porter hesitated, obviously reluctant to comply. “If you insist.”
“Thank you. We do,” Amelia responded before Henry could.
The moment was a reminder of how strong his companion was. Her fortitude and courage never failed to amaze Henry—and the faint scent of her lavender perfume didn’t hurt either.
