“No.”Mrs.Fairchild shook her head.“We’ll have no dealings with you.”
“I’m only try—”
“My apologies, Mr.Croft,” said Mr.Fairchild, “but I must agree with my wife.”
The couple turned as one, their gazes fixed on the exit they meant him to use.
With nothing else to be gained, Adrian strode past the Fairchilds’s sour expressions.He entered the foyer and stopped, surprised to find a young woman lurking near the front door.She looked to be no more than sixteen years old.
Adrian gave her a curt nod then glanced around, seeking the butler.Not finding him, he crossed to the hallway table where his hat and gloves waited.
The young woman rushed forward, beating him to the table.“Allow me.”
She handed him his hat while casting a nervous glance toward the parlor where Mr.and Mrs.Fairchild remained.
“Thank you, Miss…?”
“Edwina Fairchild,” she whispered.Her throat contracted as she swallowed, and then she was pressing his gloves into his hands along with a piece of paper.
Pleading eyes held his for the briefest of moments before she turned and darted upstairs.Adrian frowned, then lowered his gaze to the note she’d slipped him.He read the brief missive quickly, shoved it in his pocket, and left the house, putting his gloves on as he walked.
Tomorrow would hopefully lead to more answers regarding Miss Fairchild.For the present, however, he meant to learn more about Lundquist and Walker – information Kendrick was sure to possess.
He strode into Bow Street half an hour later, ignoring the curious glances of constables who knew his reputation all too well.
It took a while for the clerk to inform Kendrick of his presence and even longer for Kendrick to step from his office.When he finally did, his displeasure showed in his expression and the sharp clip of his heels against the tiled floor as he crossed to where Adrian stood.
“Mr.Croft.”The chief constable’s voice was curt, though not entirely impolite.“I never thought you’d come here of your own free will.”
“Whyever not?”Adrian asked, refusing to let the likes of Kendrick make any presumptions about him.He smirked – noted how this seemed to increase Kendrick’s annoyance – and told him, “I have a question regarding your murder investigation.”
Kendrick clenched his jaw.“Any information I have on that matter is classified until the case is closed.If that is all, I a—”
“Why did you release Lundquist and Walker?”
“I have my reasons.”
“And what are they, if you don’t mind my asking.”
“As a matter of fact, I do mind.You have no business knowing.”
Adrian shifted his weight, bringing his mouth level with Kendrick’s ear.“Your inability to track down the man who murdered my sister makes it my business.So indulge me, or I will see to it that a more agreeable man acquires your position.”
Smiling, he leaned back and waited for Kendrick’s response.
The constable shifted his gaze to one side, his mouth set in a stubborn line before he eventually shook his head and hissed out a breath.“Damn you, Croft.I had no choice.Walker has an alibi for the time of Miss Irvine’s death, verified by multiple witnesses.He left Vauxhall at eight with a number of friends.As for Lundquist, the chief magistrate has personally vouched for his character.”
“Lundquist’s a lucky man,” Adrian drawled, “to have a relation who’s able to clear his name.”
Only a quick twitch of the lips suggested Kendrick was taken aback by Adrian knowing there was a family tie between the two men.“He would have been let go regardless.There was nothing to justify holding him.”
“A mistake on your part.Wouldn’t you say?”
Kendrick’s eyes flared with anger.“If that is all, I’d like to get back to work.”
Adrian snorted and turned for the door.“Don’t waste your time.I’ll track down the killer myself.”
He stalked from the station and headed home.There, in his study, he found Edward waiting in one of the armchairs.A decanter of brandy and two glasses sat on Adrian’s desk.
