“When you asked if someone else might be working on his idea, Wentworth could have provided you with another name.Someone else for you to look into and take attention away from him.”
She made an excellent point and… Lord help him, he could not ignore the sharp look in her eyes or the way it seemed to pin him in place.
Heat shot through Peter’s chest.His mouth went dry and he briefly wondered what it might feel like to hold her in his arms.An insane thought that was just as swiftly banished.
He nodded and started back toward his seat.Though Miss Hastings was clever, she also got on his nerves.Plus, she was the daughter of his superior.And a colleague.Allowing himself to have inappropriate feelings toward her would be a colossal mistake.
In all likelihood, the fact he’d even consider her in an amorous way was proof he’d gone too long without a woman.Perhaps he ought to make time to visit his favorite brothel.If only to get the idea of embracing Miss Hastings out of his head.
He sat and met her expectant gaze, immediately sensing he must have missed something.“What is it?”
She pursed her lips and rolled her eyes in a way that snapped at his nerves.“I was pointing out the issue regarding the bodies.”
Unwilling to admit that he’d not paid attention to one damn word, Peter made a show of casually leaning back in his chair.He picked up the cheroot he’d taken from his case earlier and savored the look of annoyance that filled her expression.“Go on.”
Lips flat and posture stiff, Miss Hastings watched him light up and take a long drag.He released the smoke in a slow exhalation and deliberately arched an eyebrow.
“You’re insufferable,” Miss Hastings complained.
“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again.My office, my rules.”Pinning her with his gaze, he leaned forward, elbows propped on the desk.“I hope your objection to this won’t prevent you from doing your job.”
“Of course not.”The words were spoken through gritted teeth.
Peter smiled and allowed himself to enjoy the pleasure of having ruffled her feathers.If she was going to put him on edge with those tempting curves and lush lips, then he’d do the same in the only way he knew how.
She cleared her throat and allowed herself a moment in which to collect her thoughts.Spine straight, she folded her hands in her lap.“As I was saying, bodies were disposed of.Miss Griffin was found in the Thames.Mr.Booker was discovered in an alley by those who brought him to the hospital.”
“In other words, they were moved from the place in which they were treated,” Peter muttered.He set his cheroot to his lips once more and inhaled the rich flavor.Miss Hastings fanned the resulting smoke away with her hand while he continued pursuing the point she was trying to make.“An impossible task for a man of Wentworth’s size to accomplish alone, I reckon.”
“Exactly.”Miss Hastings finally stood and went to open the window.
“You’re letting cold air in,” Peter complained.
Instead of responding she said, “Either Wentworth had an accomplice or someone else killed those people.”
“We mustn’t forget about Islington or Preordian.”Peter placed his cheroot in an ashtray, rose from his chair, and approached Miss Hastings, who’d remained by the window, his intention being to close it.“Their involvement is clear.Perhaps they did more than simply provide the patients Wentworth sought.”
“That’s certainly a possibility worth considering.”
For some peculiar reason, her agreement made him extremely aware of their close proximity.She hadn’t moved while he’d made his approach, as though she’d been hell-bent on standing her ground.He scanned her face and noted the flush in her cheeks before leaning past her, his arm brushing hers as he turned.
The brief contact sent an electric charge through his body.He sucked in a breath and closed the window, refusing to let himself dwell on it further.When he turned, Miss Hastings was glaring at him as though he were a criminal who’d just attacked her.
He stepped back.“I’m going to visit Wentworth’s home.See if I can find additional evidence of his guilt.In the meantime, it would help if you’re able to map the data we have so far.”
She beamed at him.“Of course.”
A resulting warmth spread through his chest.Idiocy.He cleared his throat.“Do what you can to have it ready when I get back.”
She nodded and he started turning away, but paused when she said, “Wherever these experiments happened, it would have required access and seclusion.An abandoned room underneath one of the hospitals could provide such a location.”
Peter agreed.“An excellent observation, Miss Hastings.”
Her entire face turned a bright shade of red.“Thank you, Mr.Kendrick.”
“I’ll make arrangements for a thorough search to commence in the morning.Beginning with St.George’s.”
He headed for the door but stopped when Miss Hastings asked, “Do you mind if I join you tomorrow?”
