“We know Kendrick spoke to Preordian, after which Preordian left in a rush.That alone is enough for me to believe he has something to hide and that we’d do well to find him.”
“I’m sure he’s left the City already.”
“You’re probably right, but it can’t hurt to check.”
Samantha agreed.There were eleven main coaching inns with carriages leaving London multiple times per day.The closest one to Preordian’s address was The Golden Cross.
They arrived there within ten minutes and went straight to the ticket counter.
“I’m afraid I can’t divulge the names of our passengers,” said the clerk when Adrian asked if a man by the name of Preordian had purchased a ticket within the last three hours.
Adrian clenched his jaw and tried to think of a way to force the annoying clerk’s hand.“He may have killed someone.”
The clerk merely blinked.“Then why is a representative from Bow Street not here in your stead?”
Because they don’t know the first thing about sniffing out men with blood on their hands.
Instead he said, “I am a Bow Street representative.”
“Well, why didn’t you say so?”The clerk stared at Adrian who stared right back.“I’ll just need to see your credentials.”
“Of course.”Adrian made a show of checking his pockets.“I’ve got them here somewhere.Now about that name I mentioned…”
“I’ll check our sales records for it as soon as I know you’ve a right to the information and that you’re not going to use it nefariously.”
Adrian glared at the clerk.Samantha pressed closer to his side in the hope of reminding him that he could not afford to lose his composure.Making her best attempt at a doe-eyed expression, she asked, “Did you forget it again?”
He took a deep breath.“I think so.”
The clerk’s gaze narrowed.Thoughts were clearly spinning rapidly inside his head.And then his eyes widened.“You’re Mr.Croft.I recognize your likeness from the papers.”
“Thank you for your help,” Adrian clipped.“Or lack of it, I should say.”
The clerk snorted.“I’d be mad to help the likes of you.”
“I’m sure I could make a compelling argument to the contrary,” Adrian seethed while Samantha drew him away from the ticket counter.
The clerk responded with a few scathing remarks of his own, none of which Samantha cared to pay any mind.“Don’t let him rile you.It’s not worth the trouble.”
“I was acquitted of any wrongdoing, Samantha.We both were.So what I should do is teach that arrogant pup a lesson he won’t soon forget.”
“And what?”She pulled away so she could face him, her own irritation flaring in the face of how reckless he was willing to be.“Risk the good standing you have earned with the prime minister?Do I need to remind you that one wrong move could land you straight back in prison?”
“I—”
“You took an enormous risk punishing Hillford’s wife,” she hissed, her voice muted.“Can you please refrain from doing anything else that might cause you to lose your freedom or even your life?”
He gave her a hard look.“Fine.”
She breathed a sigh of relief even though she knew the promise would only hold for so long.Once Adrian found the person responsible for his sister’s death, there was no doubt in her mind he’d kill them.Consequences be damned.
* * *
Elks informed Adrian of Murdoch’s presence as soon as Adrian returned home with Samantha.The employment agent was waiting for them in the parlor.A glass of brandy stood on the table next to the high backed chair in which he’d elected to sit.He stood as soon as the door swung open, abandoning the paper he’d been using to pass the time.
“There’s been a development in the matter regarding Miss Griffin,” he said.“A possible connection has come to light.I thought you’d want to learn of it right away.”
The tension of knowing change was imminent pulled at Adrian’s nerves.He flexed his fingers and strode forward, prepared for whatever Murdoch had come to relay.“What has happened?”
