With obvious reluctance, Mr. Duffield opened the door wider. “There is a small reception room where you may wait.”
He led the way inside to a large hall lined with dark wood and pale blue wallpaper. White vases filled with flowers graced several tabletops. A high ceiling and tall, mullioned windows along the back wall lightened the space. Anywhere else, the building would be a perfectly ordinary, pleasant place. The sheer effort to reach it, however, tinged it with foreboding.
“This way,” the man ordered as he gestured to a small room near the front door.
Henry took his time to study the details of the empty hall before following Amelia into the room with similar décor.
The sound of the door snapping shut behind them made Amelia spin to stare at it in surprise. “My goodness. I thought for a moment to hear the lock clicking into place.”
“They are certainly protective of those who stay here,” Henry murmured as he looked around the room, though there wasn’t much to see. “Theirguests.”
“Secretive might be a better term.” Amelia scowled. “I won’t feel better until I see Miss Elmcroft’s handwriting on my message.”
Henry didn’t respond, wondering how helpful that would be. From what Amelia had told him, Miss Elmcroft was an intelligent woman; she must know by now that her contact with the outside world was being watched. The chances of her stating she regretted coming here were slim. If she were in distress, would she tell Amelia? Could she?
Still, a message from the woman was better than nothing. And if what she wrote didn’t satisfy Amelia, then he would indeed show his warrant card and insist they speak with Miss Elmcroft in person.
“You…you don’t think my coming to visit her will truly upset her wellbeing, do you?” Amelia asked with a worried look.
That Henry could answer. “I am certain she’ll be touched to know you came by. Who wouldn’t want to be visited by a friend? I would wager it might even bolster her determination to improve her health.”
Amelia nodded, her shoulders softening as if his words reassured her. “Good. It’s just that I didn’t care for the trepidation in her tone when she spoke of this place, even though she was determined to come here.”
“I’m sure it would be rather frightening for anyone who decided to subject themselves to the unusual treatments they offer.” Yet he’d learned early on during his time as a constable, and again after his promotion to inspector, that desperation swiftly caused people to act out of character. Desperation, panic, exhaustion…
Whether that proved true in Miss Elmcroft’s case remained to be seen.
Curiosity took hold and Henry opened the door to watch for the porter. The place was eerily silent. No footsteps filled the halls. No chatter. No laughter. Though tempted to look around, he didn’t want to leave Amelia in a place that felt increasingly unsettling.
They waited for nearly a quarter of an hour before Henry decided that was long enough. While he appreciated that Miss Elmcroft might be in the middle of a treatment of some sort, Amelia grew more worried with each passing moment, her fingers now tapping on her arms, which were crossed.
“Why don’t we step into the hall to see if—” But before he could finish the thought, Mr. Duffield returned.
The man’s oily smile did nothing to increase Henry’s faith in the man, or the sanatorium. “Miss Elmcroft sends her regards.” He handed Amelia the slip of paper, and Henry moved closer to read it over her shoulder, certain she wouldn’t mind the intrusion.
There wasn’t much to read.
I’m happy to report all is well, Amelia.
Louisa
Amelia studied the note, clearly trying to read between the lines for a hidden meaning. Henry did the same but was unable to glean any additional information; having never met Miss Elmcroft, of course, it was impossible to guess beyond what she’d written.
He glanced at Amelia, sensing she was less than satisfied with the words.
Amelia bit her lip before releasing a quiet sigh and meeting the man’s gaze. “Thank you so much for taking the time to do this for us, Mr. Duffield.”
“You’re welcome. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have other duties to attend to.” The man held the door open with a pointed expression.
With a glance at Henry, who nodded, Amelia led the way out the door, her steps slowing as she looked around the still empty hall. “What a fine building. How many patients are here?”
“Between thirty and fortyguestsand a dozen staff members.”
Guests. The term was beginning to grate onHenry’s nerves.
“And they can leave at any time?” Amelia asked innocently as she continued slowly toward the door. So slowly the man’s lips tightened with impatience.
“Yes, of course.”
