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She wondered just how much Dita had shared about her partnership with Jasper, though by the glint of mischief in the private detective’s eyes, she thought she might know.

“I am consulting,” Leo answered. “I was one of the people who found Mrs. Lawlor alive in a casket that had been delivered to the undertakers.”

Mr. Castelan flashed his teeth in a full smile and barked a laugh. She peered at him, bothered.

“A woman was nearly killed by her husband,” Leo said. “I don’t see how you can find that amusing.”

He uncrossed his legs and held his hands up in surrender. “I apologize. I am not amused by what the poor woman endured but only surprised by your calm manner while speaking of it. A discovery like the one you made would undo most young ladies.”

His explanation didn’t help, as he likely thought it would. She stood, deciding she was in no mood for patronizing men.

“Thank you for meeting with me. However, I should be going,” Leo said. He could provide nothing on the Lawlor case, and that was the only reason she’d come, after all.

Mr. Castelan got to his feet quickly. “Wait, please. I do apologize, Miss Spencer. My laughter was tactless.”

Grudgingly, she nodded, accepting the apology.

“Before you go, I wished to speak to you about my proposal,” he went on. “Miss Brooks has told you, I hope, that I’d be honored if you would join my agency?”

“She has,” Leo replied warily. “And I’m sure she has informed you that I’m not interested.”

“But you are interested in crime solving. You’ve assisted Scotland Yard on numerous occasions,” Mr. Castelan continued as though not hearing her rejection. “As I said, I have contacts within the police force. I’m aware that you and Inspector Reid work well together.”

Leo hitched her chin, curious to know who his contacts were. Some detectives hired outside help from time to time when caseloads became too heavy. Perhaps Mr. Castelan contracted with the Yard on occasion.

“I work with Inspector Reid when I have an interest in a case or a connection to it. And I work with him in an unofficial capacity,” she said as she pulled on her gloves in preparation for leaving.

“For which you receive no credit and no compensation.”

“I am interested in neither, Mr. Castelan,” she assured him as she picked up her handbag. “I thank you for the offer, but I’m not going to change my mind. Good day.”

She started for the closed door.

“What if I could tempt you with information?”

Leo pursed her lips, hemming in an exasperated sigh. “You have already revealed that you have no information on the Lawlor case.”

He crossed his arms, and again, mischief sparked in his direct stare. “I wasn’t referring to that case, Miss Spencer.”

She indulged him, though she was quickly becoming irritated. He might like puzzles, but he also seemed to enjoy playing games, and there was nothing she disliked more. “Then what were you referring to?”

“To the case that brought Inspector Reid to Spitalfields this morning.”

The glint in his eyes tamed, his gaze becoming more serious. Leo faced him fully, reluctantly intrigued. Jasper had been in Spitalfields that morning? Then, with a quiver of alarm, she realized he might have been there attending to Andrew Carter’s request.

“Are you having Inspector Reid followed?”

Mr. Castelan chuckled as he returned to his desk. “I can assure you, I am not. My detective spotted him while he was out on his own assignment.”

Bewilderment held Leo back from stalking out of the office in annoyance. “Why would you think Inspector Reid needs information?”

Mr. Castelan retook his seat behind his desk, his smug expression beginning to grate. “I believe my detective and Inspector Reid are working parallel cases. We may be able to help each other.”

Now, she was well and truly provoked. If Jasper had indeed been in Spitalfields to search for Andrew’s nephew, Mr. Castelan seemed to know about it. Any link made between Jasper and the Carters could be damaging.

With a shrewd smile, Mr. Castelan held up his hands. “What do you say? Give working for my agency a try? It doesn’t have to be official. An evening of your time, at most, to assist on a case.”

Leo shook her head, attempting to look as if his knowledge about Jasper’s movements in Spitalfields wasn’t worrisome.