Page 20 of One Last Whisper

“Is his Lordship aware that the inspector is here?” I ask.

"I should doubt it. Hargreaves has no love for his Lordship. Thinks he's an arrogant, stuffy aristocrat."

“He is, though, isn’t he?”

Matilda gasps at her friend. “Franny! You mustn’t say such things!”

They fall silent when the kitchen door opens. A grim Theresa walks out, her face a tight mask. The constable pokes his headout a moment later and fixes stern brown eyes on me. “Miss Wilcox? I’ll see you now.”

The two maids whisper as I make my way toward the kitchen. Theresa shoots me a knowing glance, but I have no idea what it is I’m supposed to know.

I enter the kitchen, and the constable offers his hand as soon as the door closes behind me. “Inspector Jacob Hargreaves, Scotland Yard.”

My eyes widen. So he’s not a constable. “Scotland Yard? Is the case that serious then?”

“The potential abduction and murder of an innocent subject of the Crown is always a serious affair.”

I resist the urge to roll my eyes. “Well, yes, but unless I’m mistaken, Scotland Yard rarely involves themselves until a crime is alleged.”

“A crime is most definitely alleged, Miss Wilcox. That’s why I’m here.”

“I see. Well, in that case, I am excited to have your help.”

“Why?”

I blink. “Is that not obvious?”

He doesn’t address that further. Instead, he asks, “What brings you to the Blackwood residence, Miss Wilcox?”

“As Theresa said, I am the new governess. I am charged with the care and education of Lord Blackwood’s nephew, Master Oliver.”

An indecipherable look crosses Hargreaves’ face when I say that. When it passes, he says, “And what is your impression of Lord Blackwood?”

I must be careful here. I want to help Inspector Hargreaves in any way I can, but I don’t want to put myself at risk. It will surely get around to Lord Blackwood that Inspector Hargreaves is talking with us if he doesn’t know already.

“I have only worked here for four days, Inspector, and during that time, I have had limited interaction with his Lordship.”

“And what is your impression of those interactions?”

I think for a moment. “I think his Lordship is very concerned with maintaining his image and the image of House Blackwood. I believe he takes his role in government seriously.”

“And his family?”

“Pardon?”

“Does he take his family seriously, or is it only his image and role in government that matter to him?”

I wonder what the source of this animosity might be. I wonder how many times Inspector Hargreaves has responded to rumors of a disappearance at Blackwood manor.

“I am not privy to His Lordship’s private life,” I reply. “So it’s difficult to answer that.”

Hargreaves sighs. He folds his arms and regards me for a moment. “You’re afraid of him.” It’s not a question.

I hesitate once more, but only briefly. I can’t let my fear get in the way of Sarah’s justice. “Yes.”

“Why?”

Hargreaves could use a gentler approach. He’s not doing well at easing me into this.

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