“I do. Bringing you into it comes with conditions, however.”
Strickland grimaced. “A lot of lawyer talk is coming, isn’t it?”
“Some. I will be relying on your friendship more than any formal terms, however. That, and your word as a gentleman.”
“You had better let me hear those conditions. I am suddenly uneasy.”
“I have reason to think that Belvoir’s accomplices will be making themselves known tonight. You are welcome to join me when they do.”
Strickland eyed him. “And the condition?”
“If I am wrong, you never speak of what you see or hear.”
Strickland thought that over. “That is a damnable condition.”
Ives shrugged. “Have it your way. Do not say I did not offer.” He turned to the door.
“Nowwait. Give a man a minute to think things over.” He did. “How bad might things be if you are wrong?”
“No worse for you than for me.”
“I don’t find that reassuring, for some reason.”
“Your choice is simple, as is mine. We can let a man stand trial for crimes that far surpass his guilt, or we can attempt to bring the real culprits to justice. Remember justice? It is why we do what we do. This is England, and the word used to mean something here.”
Strickland flushed. “Do not preach at me. I’ll not sit for it when I know in my gut you are up to something that you shouldn’t do.”
“You are right. I should not preach. I will instead appeal to your baser desires to further your career.”
Strickland’s face reddened more. “What must I do?”
“Go to Langley House at eight o’clock this evening. My brother Gareth will be there. He will tell you what to do.”
***
They waited again, but it was different this time. Padua sensed something in the air, a pending excitement. Ives remained more alert, listening to every sound that came through the walls.
“Mrs. Lavender took ill after dinner,” Padua reported. “She seemed fine, the servants said, then later complained of a malady of the stomach.”
Ives looked over from where he sat, looking at nothing, thinking. Waiting. “Was Emily Trenholm at that dinner?”
“Perhaps so. It was said Mrs. Lavender was relieved Emily would be able to stand in at the office.”
Ives stood and went to the door. He looked out, then closed it. “I think it will happen differently from what we expected. I do not think the man we seek will come to this door.”
“Then how?” She had accommodated her nerves to the idea Ives would be right near her when that man arrived.
“If Emily has taken Mrs. Lavender’s place, I think he will walk in the front door, like a patron.” He raked his hair with his fingers. “I will return in two minutes. If anyone comes here, do not leave the chamber. Put them off if they try to call you away.”
He slipped out, leaving her to worry. This was far worse than waiting the last time. Her stomach churned. She experienced a wave of relief when Ives returned. He took a look at her and crouched near her chair so he could see her face.
“You do not have to do this. We can find another way.”
“What other way is there? I must do it. If I do not, I will have nothing to use to bargain for my father.”
“I do not like to think of you afraid.”
“A little fear will not harm me. Deep in my heart, I am not as fearful as I may appear either. I know you will not be far away. I know they are not so stupid as to harm me.”
