“And your position in this, Mr. Munro?” he then inquired.
“I will remain in Edinburgh as well.”
Sir McQuarrie was thoughtful, then nodded and rose once more with a look at the clock on the wall.
“How do you intend to pursue this matter, Miss Montgomery?”
He was direct.
“There are people who might have information about what happened,” I replied. “And I intend to make my own inquiries, and hopefully learn something that was not previously known.”
“In spite of Inspector Landry’s efforts, I presume,” he countered.
“I am aware that the police are often over-burdened with cases and the death of someone such as my friend is not often a priority.”
He paused with a frown to contemplate me. I felt like a cod laid out at market beneath that scrutinizing gaze and could only imagine what it might be like to be confronted by the man in court.
“This could very well take you into places that are...less than safe,” he pointed out.
“Sir,” I began, only to be cut off.
“I will see that Miss Montgomery comes to no harm,” Munro assured him.
I looked over at him. I had not asked him to remain, and I most certainly did not need assistance when it came to the places I wanted to make my inquiries.
Sir McQuarrie frowned. He was thoughtful. “It does seem that there is no talking you out of this.”
“I owe it to my friend,” I replied.
There was no reason to go into details about the past, nor about the original reason I had contacted her in those letters regarding my search for my real family.
“Very well, then. I will be contacting Sir Laughton regarding your decision as he has requested, though I must disagree with the wisdom of it,” he then informed me. “How do you propose to go about finding information regarding the woman’s murder, if it even exists?”
“I hope to remain at Albany Street for the time being, if it is not an inconvenience to Mrs. Cheney.”
“All well and good as far as a place to sleep, and perhaps share a meal. However, you will need a place where you can prepare your questions and meet with certain persons.” He cut a quick glance at Munro.
“A warehouse filled with her ladyship’s whisky is hardly suitable, nor some of the more colourful places your business takes you, Mr. Munro?”
It did seem that he did not expect a response as he gathered his leather briefcase and proceeded to the door to make his appointment with the court.
“Mr. Sinclair,” he called to his clerk as he made his way across the front office.
“You will please direct Miss Montgomery and Mr. Munro to the office library. They are to be given access and anything they might need.” He paused at the door to the office, short in stature but not in authority.
“It is private, the location central to the city, and safe. You may have the use of it to make your inquiries. I trust that will be acceptable, Miss Montgomery? That is if you have no objections.”
He was gone before I could tell him that it was not necessary.
5
The library he spoke of was in another part of the massive Georgian-style building, set apart and very private, its walls lined with shelves filled with books. There was also a desk and what appeared to be a reading table with an overhead light fixture, and windows that looked out on the adjacent street beyond.
“Sir McQuarrie also uses this as a private meeting room for certain clients who insist on discretion,” young Mr. Sinclair explained.
“I will provide ye with a key for the outside door in the event ye may be here after the usual hours of the day.”
I thanked him.
