“Did the robberies happen on the same day of the week?” Mrs. Phelps asked.
“No,” Walters replied. “Every time was on a different day.”
“Do we have any suspects yet?” Nicole’s father asked.
“Not yet, which is why the lieutenant wants us to look into it. This has been going on for too long without suspects.” Walters nodded decisively.
“When was the latest robbery?” Gordon asked.
“Exactly one week ago.” Walters looked down at his paper again. “On a Thursday, in fact.”
Nicole frowned. That was the day before Lord Reynold’s masked ball...the day before she met the man of her dreams. Had Ashton and the other owners known about the robberies? Of course, they did. Yet, Ashton hadn’t hinted about it when they saw each other last.
The more she thought about it, the more she found it odd that all three co-owners were enjoying a pleasant evening at the Reynolds’ home that next night after the latest robbery. One would think the co-owners would be distressed.
She shook her head, trying to remove the doubt sneaking in. Ashton wouldn’t have known about it and went to a ball the very next day. What was she thinking? That man was so kind and considerate. No, he wouldn’t have been so crass to do something that heartless.
Mr. Walters gave the six other detectives a piece of paper. “These are the names and addresses of the owners. Hopefully, they will be able to answer some questions in regards to this case.”
Immediately, she glanced at Ashton’s name. The address written was here in Liverpool. Apparently, they hadn’t gotten his new address in Meols since she knew he had recently moved. But, she could certainly get it from Uncle Michael.
Excitement leapt inside her chest. Because she already knew Ashton, she could get answers from him easily. They would have this case solved in no time, and then she would be back in his arms, enjoying their time together once again.
However, she couldn’t let him know she was investigating the railway robberies. There was a reason the detectives worked secretly. They weren’t supposed to tell anyone their purpose, which meant she couldn’t let Ashton know. Not yet, anyway.
Nevertheless, this would be a good excuse for her to return to Meols—because Ashton was there.
She had missed the last bit that Walters told the group before excusing himself and leaving. Her father and brother were already turning to the other detectives in the room, making assignments. Her father sat on the edge of his chair with his elbows resting on his knees.
“I have a plan,” he stated.
She arched an eyebrow. “Already?”
“Yes.” He scratched his head, tossing the light brown thinning hair with streaks of silver to one side.
“Tell us,” Mr. Banks urged.
“I was thinking about having Gordon and Nicole board the railway tomorrow.”
She huffed and blurted out quickly before anyone else could say anything, “What is that going to accomplish?”
When her father gave her that agitated stare, she knew she had spoken too soon. Then again, her father should be used to her questions by now. Curiosity was her middle name.
“If you would wait a few minutes,” he said slowly and sternly, “I shall explain.” He took a deep breath, placing his hands back on the table. “While riding on the railway, I would like you and your brother to watch and see what happens with the porters and those who load and unload the railcars. If you get a chance to talk to those who work on the railway, ask them about the robberies. Maybe we will be able to get some leads that way.”
“Father,” Gordon asked, “what will you be doing?”
“I’m going to pay a visit to the co-owners located in the business office and see what is going on.”
Nicole knew her father always played the part of someone assisting the police with the case. That was how he could get more direct answers. Gordon and Nicole always went undercover to sneak around. Not many people knew that they were related.
She wanted to argue with her father so that she could visit the railway offices—both here and in Meols—but she didn’t want her father to know what she had done with Ashton Lee. Right now, that would not be a good thing to disclose.
Gordon glanced briefly at Nicole before nodding to his father. “We can do that, Father.”
“You won’t have to take a long ride on the railway,” her father continued. “Buy a ticket for a short trip so you will be there and back in one day.”
“All right, Father,” she said softly, trying her hardest not to frown.
