“That’s why we wanted to speak with you,” Ashburry said.“When Wentworth was taken to Bow Street, we knew a search of the hospital would be imminent.Then Melroy, too, was detained and signs of an altercation found in the place where we hold our meetings.We therefore decided it might be best to come forward.Before our names are dragged through the mud as well.”
“By speaking with you instead of Kendrick,” Beltham said, “we’re hoping to avoid getting mentioned as part of the investigation.”
“And having our group shut down,” Iverton said.
Adrian scoffed.“Provided your lack of involvement in the murders is proven beyond any shadow of a doubt, I’ll see to it that your names aren’t linked to the case in any way.The continuation of your group’s existence, however, is untenable.”
“But we—”
“To put it bluntly, there is no way in hell I will allow it to remain active after what has occurred.Innocent people have died and while I realize none of you may have been directly involved, you still shared ideas that sparked a lethal objective.”In some way or other they’d played a part.“Once this is over the tunnels and secret chamber will be sealed off.There will be no more sneaking about with cloaks and masks.You’re grown men for Christ sake.If you want to meet to exchange ideas, you can bloody well do so like normal people.Make use of your offices at the hospital or of the meeting rooms available to you at the Royal College of Surgeons.Barring that, meet in your homes or at a tavern.”
“I did suggest that,” Thrudledge said.
Adrian rolled his eyes.“And I bet the rest of you wish you’d listened.”
He stood, convinced there was nothing more to be learned from these men.As an afterthought he told them, “Don’t try leaving the City.If you do, my men will hunt you down and drag you straight back to me.Should that happen, I’ll assume you were involved in the murders, in which case I’ll make sure you’re properly punished.”
26
It was late afternoon by the time Samantha heard the front door open and close.She’d arrived home roughly two hours earlier and had spent that entire time trying to figure out how to proceed.Ordinarily, she would have taken the information she’d gained on Islington and headed out to investigate.She’d have dealt with Adrian’s protests later.
But the news Doctor Wolf had delivered changed things.If she was indeed carrying Adrian’s child, she had to start taking more care.She couldn’t afford to keep facing down scoundrels alone.As much as she loathed it, her personal safety would have to take priority.Because if anything happened to threaten that, Adrian would be crushed.And she for one did not want him to blame her for wrecking his chance of becoming a father.
Which meant she had to wait for him to return home, and if there was one thing she truly hated, it was sitting around doing nothing when instinct told her to act.Especially since this also gave her plenty of time to think about Finn O’Leary putting in an appearance when she left Doctor Wolf’s office.
No doubt the scoundrel had followed her there.He’d wanted her to see him – to know he’d tracked her – most likely to put her on edge.It annoyed her how well he’d succeeded.It also bothered the hell out of her that she’d not discovered his presence sooner.
Agitated, she left the parlor and entered the foyer where Elks was in the process of taking Adrian’s hat and gloves.Her heart produced a wild thump at the sight of her husband’s imposing frame.His hair was slightly tussled, his jaw set in a firm line that instantly told her he’d serious business to discuss.
Yet the moment he glanced at her, everything in his expression softened, turning the hard flecks of granite in his dark gaze to smooth, delectable chocolate.He stepped toward her, his eyebrows dipping slightly with hints of concern.
“How are you faring?”He caught her hands loosely and stroked his thumbs over the edge of each one.“Elks tells me you saw Doctor Wolf.”
Samantha nodded and tried to focus.“I did.He gave me some tea which helped a great deal.Told me to come back and see him again in a couple of weeks.”
Adrian frowned.“That’s all?He offered no diagnosis?”
“He suggested it might have been something I ate.”Not a lie, exactly.She closed one hand more firmly around his and started leading him into the parlor.“More important, however, is what he told me about Islington.”
“Wolf brought him up?”Surprise tinged every word.
Adrian nudged the parlor door shut.When Samantha faced him, she found his gaze filled with interest.“No.He had a commemorative plaque on the wall.From when he finished university.Islington’s name was listed, so I inquired about him.”
“And?”Pensiveness had replaced the surprise.Adrian crossed to the side board and poured them both a drink.
Samantha moved to the sofa and sat.“Wolf used to see Islington regularly until the pair had a falling out a couple of years ago.
Adrian sent her a glance over his shoulder.“Oh?”
“Apparently their opinions on what constituted medical progress and what risked being unethical differed.Wolf opposed Islington’s wish to try and perfect Wentworth’s anesthesia by commencing human trials.”
“If that’s true, then Wolf’s stance mirrors that of the men I spoke with before coming home.”Adrian handed Samantha the glass he’d prepared for her, lowered himself to an adjacent chair, and told her about his conversation with Ashburry, Grieves, Thrudledge, Iverton, and Beltham.
As they sipped their drinks she reflected on what he’d said.“I find Doctor Lester’s involvement to be of particular interest.”
Adrian frowned.“You know him?”
“I’ve never met the man before, but Wolf mentioned his wife when I asked if he could provide me with an idea of where Islington and Preordian might have disappeared to.”She held Adrian’s gaze squarely.“He wasn’t sure about Preordian since they’re not well acquainted, but he did have some insight to share on Islington.Apparently Doctor Lester’s wife is his sister.”
