She called for the butler to have her trunk loaded on Ashton’s carriage, posthaste. A maid had brought her up some scones and tea, but Nicole could only eat a couple of bites due to her churning stomach.
This feeling inside her was not enjoyable, and if falling in love was what brought it on, she feared she would never fall in love again. The pain was too real, and the sadness made her want to curl up in a ball and wither away—like a flower without sunlight. To her, Ashton was the light that had brightened her life. Without him, her world would be dreary and gray.
Finally, she left her room. There was no use staying and trying to convince Ashton that he could trust her. His mind was made up, and it appeared he wouldn’t budge.
As she neared the bottom of the stairs, voices rang through the hallway. Slowing her steps, she listened closer. Two men were talking with Ashton, but she didn’t recognize the others voices. After leaving the grand stairs, she stopped at the corner of the wall, pressing her back against the wood. Carefully, she peeked around the corner and then quickly pulled back.
Two policemen stood just inside the door. As she concentrated on their conversation, she realized they were discussing Mr. Nickerson.
“But Mr. Lee,” one of them said, “he has an alibi. Your partner was in Liverpool this whole time. He couldn’t possibly have taken the money yesterday.”
“But I saw him.” Ashton’s voice rose above the others. “Miss Bastian and I saw him on the railway. We were running after him.”
“Sir, did you actually see his face?”
“Well...no, but—”
“Then perhaps it was a lookalike.”
Ashton grumbled. “You honestly want me to believe there is another man out there who looks like Glynn? Forgive me, but I refuse to believe it.”
“But Mr. Lee—”
“Did you check his arm?” Ashton added in a rush. “Did you check his right arm to see if he had a bullet hole?”
“No, sir, but he didn’t appear to have a bandage around it, nor did he act as if he was injured.”
“This cannot be happening,” Ashton said. “Do I need to go with you and have him checked again? I assure you, it was Glynn on the train yesterday.”
“And I assure you,” the policemen said in a stern voice, “that there is no possible way it could have been Mr. Nickerson. He was at a woman’s home the whole day. Even the woman’s servants told us they saw him. And Mr. Larson confirmed he had been at the office that morning.”
“Did you even arrest him?”
“But of course, Mr. Lee. Mrs. Larson’s testimony is strong and should hold up in court.”
“He will lie, you know,” Ashton reasoned.
“We are aware of that. However, as long as Mrs. Larson’s friend can collaborate her story, Mr. Nickerson will remain in jail.”
“This still isn’t right,” Ashton snapped. “He did take the money yesterday.”
Nicole’s head throbbed with confusion. Ashton was indeed correct. Something was definitely not right about any of this. It appears the case hadn’t been solved yet. Unfortunately, she couldn’t be around Ashton any longer. Her father and brother would have to assist him. Being so near to a man she would never get to love was too painful.
“Mr. Lee,” the policeman continued, “we are still investigating it. I assure you, this isn’t over.”
Ashton thanked the men and closed the door. He stormed right past her up the hallway, not stopping until he reached his study and went inside, slamming the door.
This was a most peculiar case, but she had faith that she and the other detectives would find out what was really happening. Without saying goodbye to Ashton, she slipped out the door, down the walkway, and to the carriage.
“Where to, miss?” the driver asked.
She sat in silence for a few moments. She didn’t want to return home. Not yet. She was too upset, and with a broken heart, that didn’t make for very good company. If only she had a friend she could confide in...someone with a listening ear that would understand her pain. But the only female friend she had was Mrs. Phelps.
Without a second thought, she gave Angela’s address to the driver, and within moments, the carriage took off. Mrs. Phelps was a wise woman—Nicole had always known that. But she didn’t think the woman had been in a relationship since her husband had died. Still, the woman would certainly know what Nicole was going through right now, and she would be able to give Nicole some advice.
Seeing and confiding in another woman would help Nicole right now. If she had to do this on her own, she would surely break.
Chapter Twenty
