“That is a bit unusual,” Inspector Landry replied, not unkindly.
“Nevertheless,” I insisted. I was determined in this. “I’m certain Sir McQuarrie can make the necessary arrangements,” I added. “If there is any issue with my request.”
As I had learned from Mikaela Forsythe, when in doubt insist on what you wanted.
“I can make the arrangements,” he replied. “You might recognize something that could be important.”
I thanked him and stood. “I would like to leave now.”
He nodded. “There are no further questions for now.” He closed the folder, the writing on the tab simply stating that it was in the matter of the death of a prostitute in Fleshmarket Close. Not even Dory’s name.
“Where will ye be stayin’ when we need to contact ye?” he inquired. “Do ye have family in Edinburgh?”
Family.
Inspector Landry had no way of knowing that he had discovered the real reason I was there: to learn what the nameJacobsonmight mean in my search for information about my true family and the reason I had been abandoned at the Foundling Hospital.
“I will find a room for the night,” I replied.
I had arranged for a loan of funds through Sir Laughton before leaving London. However, the funds were to be wired to the bank after I arrived in Edinburgh.
I had brought the money I’d saved, but it was hardly enough to afford a room in the hotel where I usually stayed when I travelled to the north of Scotland with Lady Antonia and Mikaela.
“It is not usually recommended for a young woman to be about the city alone at night.”
I would find something even if I had to return to the rail station and remain there until morning.
“I know a woman who has a flat on Albany Street. She takes in boarders from time to time, and it’s in a safe part of the city. I could have her provide a room for ye.”
“Why would you do that?” I replied. “You know nothing about me, and I was brought here as a possible suspect.” I had not asked for his assistance.
“As ye have pointed out, Miss Brown was obviously dead for some time. If ye were the person responsible, it made no sense for ye to return to the scene of the crime. Further, if ye were capable of such a crime, ye would most likely have used the knife we found in yer bag.”
He removed the knife that Munro had given me when I first travelled across London on my own, insisting that I have it for protection. Lessons had followed, including those at the German Gymnasium.
It was the sort of knife with the blade that folded back on itself, and was then hidden in the handle. I thought it verra remarkable and carried it with me as Munro had cautioned somewhat strongly, as he was wont to do.
“As for my reason for suggesting the accommodation for the night, Mrs. Cheney is a good person I can personally recommend.”
“Do you always make such arrangements to those brought here?”
There was a faint smile below the curve of his moustache. “Not usually. She’s verra particular. But considerin’ the situation, she would disapprove if I did not make the offer to assist ye. And there is the letter of introduction to Sir McQuarrie.”
“Which you confiscated from my bag,” I reminded him.
“Aye, as a matter of procedure.” That gaze softened slightly. “Ye are a bold one, Miss Montgomery.”
“I see no reason to be meek or shy, Inspector. It has never proven well for a woman.”
“Ye have much experience in that, do ye?” he replied with some amusement.
“The woman who has been my guardian is an excellent example.”
He nodded. “Ye and Mrs. Cheney will get along well. I will make a telephone call to let her know that we will be arriving.”
“You assume that I have accepted,” I commented.
“Not only bold, but ye seem to be of common sense as well.”
