Several doors down the street, he paused before the door of what appeared to be a newspaper office and bent to leave a small bundle on the ground before continuing to walk quickly away.
She wasn’t close enough to see what it was, but something about the situation and the man…it didn’t feel right.
Indecision gripped her as she considered what to do. He was already too far away for her to call out, and what would she say if she did? It was no crime to deliver post. No one else along the street seemed to notice his odd behavior.
Amelia started toward the bundle, thinking to advise the newspaper office of what she’d witnessed. If nothing else—
A bright light burst before her, the explosion shoving her back and knocking her from her feet.
Nineteen
“Verywell.”DirectorReynoldsnodded thoughtfully. “Let’s order the second postmortem. Hopefully Mr. Taylor will be able to find something helpful.”
Henry stilled in surprise, having expected a downright refusal to pursue the case. “I’ll do so right away.” Clearly he’d explained the situation better than he thought if his superior wished to proceed.
Reynolds leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowed. “I’d be interested to learn what the hypodermic needles are used for.”
“As would I. I’ll mention them to the surgeon so he can look for needle marks on the body.”
Henry made quick work of sending an order to have the body exhumed and alerting Arthur of the situation. He also wrote a brief message to Mr. Dunn to let him know that they were conducting a second examination of his uncle’s body.
But before he could move on to the next case, Fletcher insisted they pause for luncheon. “Can’t have you working yourself to death on your first day back.” The sergeant led the way to their favorite pub, and they were soon tucking into delicious meat pies and a needed pint.
“I didn’t realize how hungry I was,” Henry admitted as he took another bite, grateful for the pause in their day, and thinking of how often he’d taken lunches just like this one for granted. Yes, his head still ached, and his ribs hurt like the devil, but those pains felt manageable for now.
“Perhaps the food tastes all the better now that you’ve managed to convince Reynolds that we need a second look at Dunn’s body,” Fletcher suggested.
“Cheers to that.” Henry lifted his glass as his sergeant did the same.
They formed a plan to pursue the jewelry theft while waiting for Arthur’s report on the body and were returning to the Yard when a boom bellowed in the distance.
No.
“Tell me that was thunder,” his friend murmured as he looked up at the clear sky.
“Damn. Another bomb?” Henry couldn’t help the shiver that ran down his spine.
They hurried as fast as Henry's ribs could manage toward the Yard, where they found a flurry of activity.
“Do we know where?” Fletcher asked a passing constable.
“Somewhere on the Strand.”
The pair of them joined a half dozen other officers loading into a wagon for the short journey and quickly arrived. The scene was sickeningly familiar, and Henry had to brace himself as they surveyed the street.
Devastation. The door to the newspaper office had been torn from its hinges and lay in bits in the middle of the street. Windows had shattered, glass shards littering the pavement.A handful of injured people sat dazed on the pavement, faces streaked with blood and dust. Two constables were already on the scene, attempting to control the chaos.
“Terrible.” Fletcher shook his head as he took in the damage before meeting Henry’s gaze. “But not as bad as the one at the Yard, I would say.”
Truly? Henry’s thoughts slowed to a crawl as he took a closer look at the area, unsettled to realize that was true, given the number of people and buildings involved. What must Fletcher have found at the Scotland Yard blast? It didn’t bear thinking about.
“If the explosions continue, we’re going to have riots on the streets.” The sergeant shared a worried look with Henry.
One problem at a time, he decided. That was as much as he could handle at the moment. He forced himself to focus. “See who needs a doctor,” he ordered Fletcher and Constable Dannon, who also stood nearby. “And find out if anyone witnessed what happened.”
“Right, sir.” Dannon nodded, his body stiff, gripping the top of his truncheon as he hurried away.
“I’m staying with you,” Fletcher countered, his concerned look suggesting his statement wasn’t up for debate.
