Once she and Mrs. Phelps had walked far enough away, Nicole released a pent-up breath. “Oh, Angela, you don’t know how close I was to giving him my address.” She met the other detective’s gaze. “I didn’t know what else to say. I’m so grateful you came for me when you did.”
The older woman gave her a victorious nod. “When I saw you across the street, your expression told me you were in a pickle.”
“Well, I certainly appreciate it.” She squeezed Mrs. Phelps’ arm. “But...what will happen when Mr. Lee sends that invitation to the hotel?”
“No need to worry.” Angela tucked in a stray brown hair that had fallen out of her bun. “I have a friend who works there. I shall have her set up a room for the Bastian family.”
Nicole gasped. “You can do that?”
The older woman lifted her chin stubbornly. “I can do anything. You seem to forget, I have friends everywhere.”
“Yes, you do.” Nicole chuckled. “And for that, I’m truly grateful.”
It constantly surprised Nicole how many contacts Mrs. Phelps really did have. In all these years of working with the older woman, Nicole should have realized by now that there was nothing the widow couldn’t do. For being middle-aged, Mrs. Phelps still had a lot of strength left in her body. She was slightly taller than Nicole and a little on the plump side, but not overly so. Yet it didn’t seem to matter. That woman could out-race Nicole any day.
They walked another block before Angela looked at her again. “Tell me, Nicole, did you find out anything about Mr. Lee during your morning visit?”
Inwardly, she groaned. She really hated this particular subject. “I think so.”
“What?”
“Did you know Mr. Lee’s father owns several banks throughout England?”
The other woman stumbled before quickly righting herself. She stopped and faced Nicole. “No, I did not. Which banks?”
Nicole shrugged. “Mr. Lee never said the name, only that his father owns them.”
“So, I assume Mr. Lee was raised in a wealthy family.”
“That is the impression I received, as well.”
“Then what reason would he have to steal the queen’s money?”
Nicole sighed and placed her hand on Angela’s arm again. “That was my thought, too. It didn’t make sense to me.”
“Unless...” Angela tapped her finger on her arm.
Nicole didn’t like the tone of her friend’s voice. She was certain Mrs. Phelps would come up with another reason to doubt Ashton. Nicole didn’t want to doubt him any longer. She wanted to mark him off her suspect’s list and allow herself to have feelings for him. “Unless, what?”
“Unless Mr. Lee’s father’s banks are in trouble somehow, and that is why he steals money.”
Nicole rolled her eyes and snorted. “You don’t honestly believe that, do you? What bank in England would be having problems? I haven’t heard of one yet. For as long as I’ve been helping my father, I’ve not heard of any bank faltering.” She took a deep breath. “Besides that, his father died a few months ago. Because Ashton...um, Mr. Lee hasn’t taken over for his father, I’m to assume that someone else is running that business now.”
“True.” Angela nodded. “But there must be a reason why Mr. Lee’s accounts are growing.”
Nicole rubbed her pounding forehead. She had forgotten about that small detail. “Perhaps they are growing because he of the inheritance?”
“Perhaps, but he is also the youngest son in the family, and I would assume his inheritance isn’t that great.”
“With any luck, I will be able to discover that when I attend his dinner party this week.” Nicole took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. “One way or another, I will find some answers.”
Chapter Nine
The next morning, Ashton strolled into the office, grateful that both Larson and Nickerson were sitting in the lobby, reading the newspaper. He couldn’t wait to tell them about the dinner party. However, neither of them looked too pleased. Ashton sincerely hoped something awful hadn’t happened. Again.
“Good day, gentlemen,” Ashton called out, removing his hat.
Surprise registered on their faces, but only Glynn’s lips curled up into a resemblance of a smile. “Why are you so cheerful? Have you brought us good news?”
