Page 47 of Heir of Uncertain Magic

Instead of answering, Hulda asked, “Do you believe him to be alive, Mr.Adey?”

“It is my duty to confirm that very thing. I do not believe he died in prison, MissLarkin. Indeed, I have substantial evidence to prove he did not.” He pulled out a pad of paper and a pencil. “Portsmouth, you say? About what date?”

Though her mouth went dry, she answered, “Mid-September. I’m afraid it might take me a moment to recall the exact day.”

He wrote. “About where?”

Hulda paused, pulling up that fateful day. “I believe ... Cromwell and King Charles?”

He scribbled away. “And do you, MissLarkin, believe it was Silas Hogwood whom you saw?”

Her body heated at the inquiry, and she prayed it would stay away from her face.Merritt is at the door. It’s all right. No one is accusing youof anything.Still, she answered carefully. “The warden indicated he was deceased. I dismissed it.” Or at least, she had tried to.

Oh, Myra, what am I supposed to say? I can’t do this much longer!

“And now”—Mr.Adey looked up from his paper—“that I have told you he may be alive?”

She swallowed. “If that is true, then he may very well be in Portsmouth.”

“And why would he be in Portsmouth, Hulda?”

That question was too forward, and Hulda didn’t mask her frustration. “Are you not the detective, Mr.Adey?”

Again, that paternal smile crossed his face. Thankfully, he put his writing implements away. “Indeed I am.”

“IfImay ask a question.”

He nodded.

She hesitated but a moment. “Does the Crown intend to hunt down Mr.Hogwood and, well, put an end to him?” If so, she and Merritt had done them a favor.

Mr.Adey stroked his mustache. “No.”

Her lips parted at the simple answer.

“Between you and me, MissLarkin”—he leaned forward, elbows on his knees—“the Crown is the Crown in part because it is formed by a family of the highest magical influence. Silas Hogwood is also of considerable magical influence.”

It took Hulda a few seconds to grasp his meaning, and her stomach clenched with nausea. “You mean to capture Mr.Hogwood—that is,ifhe is living—and marry him into the royal family?Mr.Adey!That man is a murderer of the highest degree!”

The detective wasn’t the least put out by her chastisement. “I said nothing of marriage, MissLarkin.”

She was so stunned she didn’t know how to answer.

Picking up his hat, Mr.Adey continued, “You see why this is a private investigation. It would not look good in the public eye to see the gears behind the clock’s face, if you understand my meaning.”

Hulda floundered. Mr.Adey placed his hat atop his head and stood. Hulda bolted to her feet as well, desperate to learn what she could before this strange man left. “H-Has he already ... fathered ... children?”

Giving her a pointed look, Mr.Adey said, “That is not for either of us to know. Indeed, I’ve said too much.” He reached into a new pocket and pulled out a card. “If you see anything else, hear of anything, no matter how small, please send it my way. I can see you rewarded if you do.”

Hulda’s gaze locked on to the paper, but her feet were rooted to the carpet—something she might have blamed on Owein, were he still tied to the house. And so Mr.Adey crossed to her. She took the paper, numb.

He started for the door.

“Mr.Adey.” Hulda whirled toward him. “Why are you telling me any of this?”

He smiled yet again. “Let’s be honest with each other—you won’t tell a soul. And if you did, who in their right mind would believe you?”

The walls around them flashed blue just then. Chuckling, Mr.Adey tapped a knuckle on the wall. “Enchanted houses. They are quaint, aren’t they?” He tipped his hat to her. “I’ll see myself out.”

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