He wasn’t sure he believed her.She’d gotten precisely what she wanted.Nevertheless, he expelled a sigh and tried to accept the situation for what it was.Maybe she would spot a clue he’d missed even if the last thing he needed right now was having to protect a gently bred lady from the gruesome side of life.
“I’ll see to it that you’re given the file in question.”Her eyes lit up and a bright smile of excitement followed.Peter’s mind went blank for a moment.All he could do was stare at her, like a sailor brought under a siren’s spell.He shook his head, reminded himself to be sensible, and approached the spot where Andrews sat.“This is Miss Hastings.The chief magistrate’s daughter.She’ll need a desk to work at, and I’m hoping you can ensure that she gets one.”
Andrews, who’d leapt to his feet as soon as he’d spotted Miss Hastings, nodded even as his eyes remained wide with curiosity.No doubt he questioned her presence here just as much as Peter did.
“Right then.I’ll leave you in Andrews’s capable hands.”Peter turned from Miss Hastings and told Andrews, “Come see me when you’re done, and I’ll hand you a file for Miss Hastings to look at.”
Peter strode off but when he passed the spot where Lewis sat, the young Runner warned him, “Mr.Croft is in your office.”
“What?”
“Said he needs to speak with you.It sounded important.”
From one problem to another.Peter heaved a breath and prayed the day would bring no more surprises.“Thank you.I suppose I’ll go see what he wants.”
Although Peter had turned against his superiors and helped Croft avoid the hanging he’d been sentenced to, he’d done so on principal.Not because he considered the man more worthy of saving than any other, but because he believed everyone deserved a fair trial.
It shocked him to think of the people who’d tried to prevent that.Sir Nigel, Lord Carver, and Lord Avernail.They’d wanted to force a sentence that served their agenda.Peter would not stand for such a heinous act which in his opinion made them more dangerous than the man they’d tried to destroy.
At least Croft seemed to have some sort of moral compass.Peter had experienced it for himself when he’d found Croft and his wife in that run-down house.Had watched him torture and kill a man guilty of smuggling children.
While Peter could never employ such methods, he’d felt no pity for the scoundrel in question.If anything, he’d slept more soundly since, knowing there was one less monster for him to contend with.One less evil-doer threatening innocent lives.
For that at least, he was grateful to Croft.Even if he’d no wish to know what the man had done with Mrs.Hillford.According to the lady’s husband, she’d packed her things and run off, he knew not whereto.Considering her connection to the child-smugglers, Peter didn’t believe a word of it but rather suspected Croft had ensured she was punished as well.
He entered his office and greeted the man who waited for him, then said, “I’m surprised you’d want to return here.”
“Certain things are more important than my dislike of this location.”
“Nevertheless, I had hoped to avoid you as much as possible henceforth.”
Croft smirked.“And here I was, thinking you were eager for a bit more adventure.”
“Not the kind you have to offer.”
“We’ll stick with your area of expertise then, shall we?”When Peter raised a brow Croft said, “I’ve come to ask if you know anything about missing maids and footmen.”
“What?”
“Have you had any reports of such people disappearing?”When Peter just stared at him, Croft mentioned the conversation he’d overheard at White’s along with what an acquaintance of his had mentioned last night.“I thought these incidents might be connected.At the very least, someone ought to investigate.”
“Agreed.”
Andrews arrived and offered Croft a quick nod by way of greeting before telling Peter, “I’ve given Miss Hastings a desk as requested.You mentioned a file you want her to look at?”
“Yes.”Peter crossed to his desk where he’d left the file.He flipped it open, leafed through the pages, and removed the ones that contained detailed sketches of the body.They simply weren’t appropriate for a young woman to study, so she would have to rely on his notes instead.
He handed the modified file to Andrews and the Runner left.
“That’s new, is it not?”Croft murmured.“Female investigators?”
Peter squeezed the bridge of his nose between his thumb and index finger and sighed.“She’s the chief magistrate’s daughter.Denying her isn’t an option.”
“Hmm… I’m surprised the man would allow his daughter to engage in this kind of work.”Croft lowered himself to one of the vacant chairs intended for visitors.“It’s hardly for the faint of heart.”
Peter claimed his own seat with a grunt.“I suppose we’ll see how she fares.”
“There’s every chance she’ll impress you.”
