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The constable’s report on Opal Rosen had been meager: Mrs. Rosen had not worked that day. She had not seen or heard anything suspicious the last few times she had come in. Mr. Spencer paid her wage every quarter, on time. She couldn’t think of anyone who would want to harm the family.

Surely, Opal Rosen was the older woman from Leo’s disjointed memory, though little good that information did her.

“At least you’re lucky,” Dita said, drawing Leo from thoughts of the past and bringing her back to the present. “It sounds as though you’ll be doing something exciting tonight.”

“How do you mean?”

“Mr. Castelan has plans for you.” Dita sent her a mischievous wink as she went to the coat stand. Leo wasn’t sure what to make of it. “Well, I ought to get home. I’ve finally told my father about my position here, and you can imagine how he reacted.”

Sergeant Byron Brooks would have reacted just as Leo had, and Jasper too: with distrust of the private inquiry agency in question.

“He hasn’t demanded you quit?” Leo asked.

“No, but he’s insisted I only accept assignments that don’t demand that I stay overnight anywhere.”

That seemed reasonable enough.

“Ah, Miss Spencer. You’ve arrived.” Mr. Castelan stepped from his office. “Why don’t you join us?”

Dita gave Leo’s arm a squeeze of encouragement before leaving. She seemed to know about the lump of unease that had settled in Leo’s stomach. It only grew larger as she crossed the room to meet Mr. Castelan. Stepping into the office, she spied another man standing by the desk. He was perhaps thirty years old, a few inches taller than Leo, and handsome with a strong, square jaw and defined cheekbones.

“Allow me to introduce Detective Silas Palmer,” Mr. Castelan said.

Detective Palmer followed Leo with a pair of serious, dark blue eyes.

“How do you do?” she said. He did not smile or respond to her greeting in any way.

“Palmer is one of my lead detectives,” Mr. Castelan explained. “I hope, Miss Spencer, your visit tonight is what I think it is? An agreement to work with us? For this evening, at least?”

The flat glare Detective Palmer was leveling her with did not express that same hope. She shrugged it off.

“We have an agreement. I will try working for you this one evening. And in return, you’ll provide information on Tabitha Pierce.”

Mr. Castelan grinned. “Excellent. Then you’ll be pleased to know that Palmer is handling the Pierce case.”

“I’m curious to know why a Scotland Yard detective inspector is working for the Carter family,” Detective Palmer said, his tone loaded with stony skepticism.

“I’m not at liberty to divulge any information,” Leo said.

“Is that right? But we can give you all sorts?” Detective Palmer shook his head, making it evident where he stood on this agreement between Leo and Mr. Castelan.

“Now, now,” Mr. Castelan said indulgently, “let’s all get along, shall we? Miss Spencer is giving us her time and her mind, which I have heard is rather skilled in the art of deduction. I suggest you give the lady the benefit of the doubt.”

Detective Palmer harrumphed but did not argue further.

“Now, as it is Tabitha Pierce you both wish to find, I suggest the two of you make your way to the Golden Harp,” Mr. Castelan said. “Palmer has learned Mrs. Pierce has been seen there on several occasions with a man. Cillian Carter, perhaps? Inspector Reid did, after all, inform Mr. Pierce that was the name of Tabitha’s lover.”

“I am assisting Detective Palmer?” Leo asked, surprised. For some unsupported reason, she’d imagined she would be helping Mr. Castelan himself. Then again, Dita had hinted he had something exciting in store for Leo that evening,

“This is the case you’re interested in, isn’t it?” Mr. Castelan said.

“Well, yes, it is,” she admitted.

“Good. I try to keep all my detectives happy, you know,” he added in another obvious bid. Detective Palmer snorted, as if to dispute his employer’s claim. Mr. Castelan ignored him.

“Go to the pub, have a drink, and see what you can find,” he said.

A disgruntled Detective Palmer started toward the office door. He did not want her company, and she certainly didn’t wish to spend any more time with him than was necessary. However, she’d made her agreement with Mr. Castelan, and she would adhere to it.