“No time like the present to find out,” Adelaide said, opening the tattered cover and carefully flipping through the book, stopping when she discovered a small piece of folded paper. She plucked it out, considered the paper for the briefest of moments, then handed it to Gideon.
“Have you suddenly taken ill?” Gideon asked.
She laughed. “Not in the least. I’m simply trying to prove I’m not unreasonable all the time. Besides, since you were the one to suggest there might be something hidden, it’s only fair that you should be the one to discover if there’s anything of worth written on that paper.”
The corners of his lips lifted. “That was very gracious of you.”
“Don’t expect that state to last if you discover something of interest and refuse to share with me.”
He tilted his head. “You do realize I’m simply trying to keep your involvement in this matter to a minimum because, given the lengths that have already been taken to retrieve this book, something dire is afoot.”
“Of course,” she said before she squared her shoulders. “Nevertheless, while it’s noble of you to want to keep me out of harm’s way, it’s hardly as if I can magically become uninvolved now. Someone stole that ledger page from Mr. Bainswright, which means whoever wants the diary now knows I purchased it.” She wrinkled her nose. “Since that girl wrestled my basket away from me, perhaps someone saw Mrs. Bainswright tucking a book into it.”
Mrs. Bainswright shook her head. “I doubt anyone would have seen me do that because it was on the back counter. Noone would have been able to discern what I was doing unless they were standing right next to me, which no one was.”
“None of the book agents made a point to talk to you as you were wrapping up my purchases?” Adelaide pressed.
“Not that I recall.”
“What about a girl who possibly goes by the name of Jane Smith?”
“You might also know her as Lottie McBriar,” Gideon added.
Adelaide arched a brow his way. “I don’t recall you mentioning Jane possibly being a Lottie.”
It was less than amusing when Gideon sent her another charming smile. “Didn’t I?”
“You know you didn’t, that little tidbit withheld, no doubt, because you’re remarkably stingy with details regarding matters you don’t want me involved with.”
“Can’t argue with you there.”
“You’re very annoying.”
His smile turned more charming than ever. “Can’t argue with that either.”
Adelaide opened her mouth to address that bit of nonsense, but before she could get a single word out, Mrs. Bainswright moved to stand beside Gideon, beaming a smile at the irritating man.
“How lovely to discover you’re such an agreeable gentleman, Mr. Abbott. Why, it’s not many a man who can cheerfully admit they can be annoying upon occasion.” She gave his arm a pat. “You’re also obviously a chivalrous sort, determined to keep our Adelaide safe.” She shot a rather knowing look Adelaide’s way. “Most ladies appreciate chivalry.”
Gideon’s smile turned into a grin. “I believe Adelaide may be the exception to that.”
“That would appear to be the case,” Mrs. Bainswright muttered before she lifted her chin. “However, Adelaide’s unusual attitude toward chivalry aside, I don’t recall speaking with aJane or a Lottie, but I believe I know the girl in question. She comes into the shop often, but she seems to be a finicky reader because she rarely purchases anything, even though she seems to enjoy perusing the history section.”
“Was Lottie the girl with the book agents yesterday?” Mr. Bainswright asked.
“She was,” Gideon said.
“I’ve seen her often in the store as well,” Mr. Bainswright began, “although she’s not much of a talker, which suits me just fine, but like the missus said, she doesn’t buy much.”
Gideon considered Mr. Bainswright before he frowned. “I hate to broach what is likely a delicate matter, but has Lottie ever come into the store at the directive of a man by the name of Frank Fitzsimmons? He might be collecting money from the shop owners on Bleecker Street in exchange for protection, or more likely, in exchange for not being harassed by his associates.”
“I don’t pay extortion money, Mr. Abbott,” Mr. Bainswright declared. “However, I was approached a year or so ago by some men who were throwing around the name Fitzsimmons, as if it was a name that would see me capitulating to their demands. I was having nothing to do with that nonsense and told them to tell this Fitzsimmons character I’d burn the shop down before I handed over a penny to his band of motley louts.”
“And no one pressed the matter?” Gideon asked.
“Never heard another word about it. Why do you ask?”
“I ask because learning you’re not being extorted, when I believe most businesses in this area are, lends credence to a theory I’m forming about the role your shop is playing within the criminal underworld.”
