Page 21 of One Last Whisper

It’s not about you,I remind myself. “He is a very hard man, and very cold. At least it seems that way to me. He seemed… dismissive… of Mrs. Pemberton’s concerns when Sarah went missing. I have to confess, though, that I dismissed them as well.”

“We’ll get to you. So he was aware of Sarah’s disappearance shortly after she didn’t report to work.”

“Yes. Mrs. Pemberton knew something was wrong when Sarah didn’t show up for her shift. I understand that is unlike her.”

“Yes, she told me the same thing. Tell me, whendidLord Edmund report Sarah as missing?”

“I… I’m not sure, sir. Wouldn’t you know that answer better than me?”

He frowns and says sourly. “I would expect to know better, but unfortunately, Scotland Yard didn’t see fit to inform me until after the initial inspector determined that this case was more in line with my expertise than her own. Good on her for her honesty, I suppose. How has the Lady Cordelia reacted to this news?”

I think back to her in the window the day before and to Lord Edmund’s insistence that he can manage her health without interference from me. “I don’t know for sure, Inspector, but if I had to hazard a guess, I would say she’s handling it quite badly. She’s been depressed since Sarah’s disappearance.”

“Is she a happy woman otherwise, would you say?”

“No,” I admit. “I wouldn’t say.”

“Whatwouldyou say?”

I think of my answer for a minute. I want to help Inspector Hargreaves, and I don’t mind if that puts Lord Edmund in an uncomfortable spot, but I don’t want to make trouble for Lady Cordelia. “I would say that she finds the life of a Lady trying. Lord Edmund is very active in the House of Lords from what I understand. That would put a great strain on any marriage.”

Though it occurs to me as I say this that I haven’t seen any news media around. Typically famous politicians are unable to escape that sort of attention, but Lord Edmund hasn’t been harassed once since I’ve arrived. He doesn’t even have any personal security.

I find thisverystrange.

“And what of Master Oliver?” Hargreaves says. “How’s he getting on?”

There’s a hint of affection in the Inspector’s voice as he asks that. It seems young Oliver has stolen the hearts of all who know him.

“He’s a wonderful boy,” I gush. He’s stolen my heart too. “He’s very bright and sensitive and kind. It’s a pity about his health.”

Hargreaves darkens instantly. “Aye. It is. I’m sure his Lordship is quite broken up by it.”

I can no longer ignore the evidence right in front of me. “Forgive me, Inspector, but it appears that you bear some ill will toward his Lordship.”

He doesn’t reply right away. He narrows his eyes and looks at me. I can’t tell if his expression is cold or only searching. When a minute passes with no response, I say, “I apologize if I’ve offended you. As I said, I’m new here. This is all quite overwhelming for me.”

“Hmm.”

Hargreaves would probably not appreciate it if I told him that he reminds me of Lord Edmund at the moment.

“He and I are not friends,” Hargreaves finally admits. “This is not the first time I’ve responded to a report of a woman missing from his house.”

I struggle to contain my excitement. If Hargreaves can tell me who else has gone missing, it will give me an angle to look into as I investigate this case. “Who else has gone missing?” I ask.

He hesitates before answering. I assume he’s trying to decide if it would be appropriate to answer that question. Finally, he nods. An odd look crosses his face before he smiles slightly and says, “Among others, there is the case of Alivia Blackwood, Lord Edmund’s sister and Master Oliver’s mother.”

I gasp, unable to hide my shock. So his motherdidvanish from this house. My stomach turns. Did Oliver hear her cries forhelp when he was an infant? Is that the memory called up by Sarah’s own cries?

The door to the kitchen bursts open, and Lord Edmund strides in. A shadow crosses Inspector Hargreaves’ face. He nods stiffly. “Lord Edmund.”

“Jacob, what the devil is the meaning of this?” Lord Edmund thunders. “Could you not have called ahead?”

“Why? Would you have preferred more time to prepare?”

Lord Edmund’s eyes narrow. “I would have preferred a modicum of respect. I’m leaving for London in an hour, and I don’t appreciate that you’ve chosen now to poke your nose around my home.”

“Perhaps you’d prefer I didn’t interrogate your staff?”

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