“You’ll burn in hell for this,” Newton croaked.
Adrian didn’t doubt him for a second.He’d compromised his soul a long time ago, but it had never felt more worth it than now.“In that case, we’ll see each other again.”
With nothing more left to be said, Adrian kicked the chair away with violent force.
Newton’s body dropped, his eyes bulged and his lips parted.He clawed at the rope with desperate fingers while small gasps of air were squeezed from his lungs.His body jerked, like a fish dangling at the end of a fisherman’s line.A choking sound followed.His legs twitched and then his body went limp.
Adrian took a deep breath and expelled it.Had he been free to do as he pleased, he’d have carved Newton into a thousand pieces, starting with his fingers.Instead, this would have to do.The vile creature who’d brutally murdered Evie was finally gone.
Satisfied, he turned to Murry.“Let’s get him into the carriage.”
43
Athin morning fog crept over the damp London ground.Hunched in an effort to ward off the chill, Kendrick entered St.Bartholomew’s churchyard and cast his gaze upward, toward the top of the church tower.
It was exactly as the curate had described.Kendrick had brought the shaken man back to the church with him, along with a couple of Runners.He’d need them to help get the hanged man down.
Bloody nuisance.
Whatever his thoughts might have been when he’d tied one end of the rope around a parapet and the other around his neck before jumping over the side, they had not been on the people tasked with having to fetch him.
“Any idea who it is?”one of the Runners asked.
Kendrick shook his head.“Not from this angle.I’ll need a closer look.Maybe search his pockets for clues.”
Half an hour later, thanks to a series of calling cards and one hell of a damning letter, he had his answer.It was Clive Newton, one of Viscount Stanton’s boys.
Blast it.This news would not go over well, but at least it helped put an end to the most puzzling investigation of Kendrick’s career.The Mayfair Murderer was, according to Newton’s own admission, found.
Already dead, he’d saved his family the embarrassment of a trial and the pain of enduring his execution.His self-murder was neatly accomplished.
Kendrick regarded Newton’s face, a twisted expression of anguish still straining his features, and felt a brief pang of regret.Hanging, in his opinion, was far too easy a way for a man such as him to go.
* * *
It was nearing eleven by the time the special license Adrian had requested, or rather purchased, from the Archbishop was ready.Having tucked the document into his jacket’s inside pocket, he returned to his carriage and ordered the driver to take him to Clearview House.
When he arrived there some forty minutes later, he spotted Kendrick, who appeared to be on his way out.Adrian, who’d alit from his carriage, kept his expression neutral while greeting the man with a nod.“Didn’t expect to find you here.I trust all is well?”
“Indeed.The Mayfair Murderer was identified earlier.”Kendrick cleared his throat.“I’m doing the rounds, informing those who put in requests for immediate updates.”
“You finally tracked him down?I suppose apologies are in order then.I underestimated your abilities.”
A high color rose to Kendrick’s cheeks, turning them slightly ruddy.“I’m afraid I can’t take credit.He killed himself, you see.A confession was found on his person.”
“Lucky you,” Adrian murmured.He followed the comment with a wry smile.“Will you tell me who it was?”
“Of course.I was actually planning to call on you next since your sister was one of the women killed, but now that you’re here…” Kendrick gave him a sober look.“It was Viscount Stanton’s son, Clive Newton.”
Adrian held the constable’s gaze for a long, drawn-out moment, then nodded.“Thank you for letting me know.”
Concern creased Kendrick’s brow.“I’ve done so as a courtesy, Croft.You’re not to go anywhere near Lord Stanton or his family.Is that understood.”
“Yes.”
“Do I have your word on that?”
“Without question,” Adrian promised, dismissing the constable as he turned his attention to Clearview’s imposing façade and approached the front steps.
