“If I recall correctly, that was more than two decades ago.You can’t have been very old.”
She closed her eyes briefly to block out the memory of screaming mothers and howling fathers.“I was five.Suffice it to say it left quite the impact.”
“You lost someone close to you in that tragedy?”
“A cousin.His body was never recovered.”
“I’m sorry.”Once again Kendrick moved toward her only to shift direction and head for his desk.He gestured toward a chair.“Won’t you sit?”
“You’ve not yet answered my question.”When he tilted his head as though trying to think back on what her question had been she said, “Why did you leave me there?”
Brow creasing, he dropped his gaze, looking like a child who’d been caught doing something wrong.He swallowed, then finally said, “Mr.Croft’s arrival distracted me and…”
“You forgot.”She stared at him, at his slightly hunched posture, the regret seeping from every pore of his being, and found herself oddly reassured by his admission.When he nodded, she actually smiled.“At least you’re honest.”
He must have heard the humor in her voice for his gaze snapped to hers, a questioning look there.“You’re not furious with me for doing so?”
“Of course I am.”She’d not let him get off that easy.“However, I’m glad to know you didn’t abandon me intentionally.”
“There was a lot going on but it’s still inexcusable.Especially since I knew you weren’t comfortable being down there.”
“You did suggest I remain behind with Jackson, but I refused to listen.”He simply held her gaze without saying a word.She downed the rest of her drink, returned the glass to the side table, and went to sit in the chair he’d gestured toward.“What happened to Mr.Croft?I noticed he didn’t return with you.”
“He left with the group of men I found in that chamber.”Kendrick sat and explained what had occurred.“I’m still not sure I made the right decision in letting them leave.Had I wished to I’m confident my Runners and I could have forced the masks from those men’s faces and made them talk.”
“I’m not so sure,” Gabriella said while pondering all he’d told her.“Mr.Croft made a valid point.If those men wished to speak with him and only him, denying them that and revealing their identities would surely have encouraged them to say nothing at all.”
“I just hope Croft tells me what they say.”
“You think he’ll choose not to?”When Kendrick gave her an I-wouldn’t-–put-it past-him sort of look, she reminded him.“Part of Croft’s clemency bargain was for him to cooperate with you when asked to do so, was it not?”
“Not officially.”She gave him a pointed look and he blew out a breath.“He and I made an agreement.We shook on it.”
“Then that’s that.If Croft fails to honor your agreement, you need only remind him that he risks losing all he has gained in recent weeks.”
“That’s not exactly true.The only binding deal he struck was with Lord Liverpool.”
“Maybe so, but the chief magistrate is not without influence.If I speak with him, I’m sure I can have him review Croft’s case, maybe open a new investigation.At the very least, we can suggest that his life will become more difficult unless he provides you with the information you seek.”
The edge of Kendrick’s mouth lifted.He almost appeared to be slightly amused.“I’m not sure if I should be glad or terrified to have you on my team.”
“Be glad.”She stood with a sudden need for some added distance between them.And yet, before she left the room, she could not help but confess, “I certainly am.”
* * *
Peter sat in dumbfounded silence and stared at the doorway through which Miss Hastings had just departed.Had he heard her right?She wasgladto be on his team?And what did that mean?
Probably nothing and yet a great deal.To him at least.Twice he’d been tempted to pull her into his arms, to soothe away her lingering fear, the anger and incomprehension she’d launched at him.
She’d been right to question his reason for not informing her all was well sooner.He’d failed her on that score and while the temptation to make an excuse had been there, he’d decided to tell her the truth.Even if it meant she’d think him incompetent.
Croft tended to find him so.His wife too.And given Peter’s lack of success in solving crimes this past year, he couldn’t blame them.But having Miss Hastings view him in such a way had made him feel both stupid and useless even though he knew he was neither.
Her response to his honesty, though, had changed his perspective and filled him with a sense of not only relief but… He tried to think of what exactly.Pride in himself, he supposed, for daring to be so transparent – for risking additional censure and possibly losing her respect.
What she’d told him cemented his certainty that he had acted correctly, though he was still glad he’d refrained from embracing her.She was a colleague and he her superior.It would have been highly inappropriate.Too forward by far.Their working relationship moving forward would have become awkward.
And for what?
