Miss Hastings seemed to consider that for a second before confessing, “He had no choice.My father ordered him to accept the idea.”
“Then I can only assume your father to be the new chief magistrate,” Samantha said.
When Miss Hastings confirmed this, Adrian said, “A man worthy of admiration since he knows the dangers this business can bring.To allow his daughter to participate in murder investigations is rather unusual.Progressive, but unusual nonetheless.”
Miss Hastings nodded and gestured for Adrian and Samantha to follow her past the front desk.To the Runner she said, “I’ll make use of Kendrick’s office so there’s room for our guests to sit.”To Adrian and Samantha she added while steering them down a hallway, “I’m Papa’s little mosquito.The youngest of his five daughters.He knows I’ve a brain for making connections, but I think the real reason he’s backing my wish to work here is so I will stop pestering him.To be fair, I’ve done little else since I heard of his new appointment.”
Adrian suppressed a grin.It was all beginning to make sense.However, if she was indeed capable, then he would support her as well.And enjoy the irritation it would likely bring Kendrick.Oh, he could scarcely wait for the constable to return.
They reached his office and Miss Hastings showed them inside.“Please have a seat.I’ll find some paper so I can record your statements.”
It didn’t take more than five minutes for all three to be seated, upon which Samantha launched right into the information they’d come to impart.Meanwhile, Miss Hastings wrote with impressive speed, only pausing occasionally to dip her quill in the inkwell.
Once finished, she re-read her notes, then froze – an almost dazed look making it seem as though she were staring inward instead of outward.A series of rapid blinks followed, and then her lips parted, as if on an unspoken thought.
She shoved her chair back and stood.“Excuse me.Both of you.I’ll be back in a moment.”Then out the door she went.
Adrian turned to Samantha, who appeared as confused as he felt.“What just happened?”
“I’ve no idea.”
Thankfully, Miss Hastings did not keep them waiting long.When she returned she brought some papers with her.“Your account brought to mind a report filed earlier this year.It pertains to a missing woman.”
“And you believe she could be the Albourne maid?”Adrian asked.
Miss Hastings resumed her seat and pinned her index finger to the papers she’d placed on the desk.“It was Lady Albourne’s housekeeper who brought Miss Bancroft’s disappearance to Bow Street’s attention.I happened upon her statement last night.”
Miss Hastings pushed the papers across the desk so Adrian and Samantha could read them.Adrian did so quickly, then re-read them once again before glancing at Miss Hastings.“There’s no mention of Miss Bancroft being in service or of either woman having ties to the Albourne title.How did you make the connection?”
“Because your wife mentioned the Albourne home being near Green Park.”Miss Hastings folded her arms on the desk.“The address associated with Mrs.Gilbert, the housekeeper, is Number 2 Bury Street, which I believe runs parallel to the park in question.Add to that the time frame and the nature of the case and I’m sure Miss Bancroft must be Lady Albourne’s missing maid.
Adrian was beginning to be impressed.“And just to be clear, you read the file because of the case you’re helping Kendrick with?”
“No.There’s no indication that this is a missing person’s report, until one starts reading, that is.A fault I mean to rectify at some point to make cross referencing easier.”Miss Hastings pulled the papers Adrian and Samantha had read back into a pile.“Truth is, I wanted something to read yesterday evening so I took a few unsolved cases home with me.”
Samantha leaned forward.“And you just happened to recall a minor detail?”
Color rose to Miss Hastings’ cheeks.“As I mentioned, I’m good at making connections.”
Adrian chuckled.“You don’t say.”
Appearing equally stumped, Samantha sat back, hands folded in her lap.“If I may say so, Kendrick is fortunate to have you on his team.”
Miss Hastings bit her lip.“I’m not sure he would agree.You see, he doesn’t approve of women engaging in this line of work.Tried to talk Papa out of having me help him, but Papa sided with me, so here I am.”
“In my chair, it would seem.”
Miss Hastings jolted in response to Kendrick’s voice and began scrambling to her feet.Adrian glanced toward the chief constable, who stood in the doorway, a somber look in his eyes.He stepped forward and recommended Miss Hastings remain seated before greeting Adrian and Samantha.
“I can only suppose you’re here to provide additional insight into my case,” he said once they’d finished with the pleasantries.Leaning against a bookcase, hands in his pockets, he directed a questioning look toward Adrian.
“You’re not wrong,” Adrian said with a smirk.“We’ve given Miss Hastings the details.”
It was hard to miss the annoyance that flickered in Kendrick’s blue eyes.His deep frown and flat mouth amplified the emotion, making it clear to Adrian that the chief constable had gotten himself an assistant he’d like to be rid of, but couldn’t.
Amused, Adrian added, “She’s extraordinarily clever, by the way.Figured out that a maid reported missing in May was likely working at Albourne House and that she may be yet another victim for us to consider.”
“Really?”Interest rather than shock had Kendrick straightening his posture.He sent Miss Hastings a somber look.“What would suggest that?”
