Page 29 of A Measure of Menace

“Kat.” Daniel’s eyes blazed with anger, worry, and something else I dared not pin hopes on. “What the devil?—”

“I knew you’d come right away,” I said quickly. “I saw James lurking and then race away to fetch you. That meant you weren’t far, or he would have told me so. If that had been the case, I would have gone at once to Scotland Yard to speak with Sergeant Scott.”

I was babbling and shaking, because I’d had no idea that Constable Wallace had followed me and would confront me here. I’d only wanted to tell Daniel what I had found out and leave the mopping up to him. I’d blurted my theory to Wallace because I’d heard Daniel’s step below and knew he’d be a witness, one respected by Scotland Yard, if Wallace admitted his sins.

Two witnesses, I realized, as James came bounding in, gaping at Wallace on the floor.

“He was a bad ’un, wasn’t he?” James asked me, the lanky youth towering over Wallace’s prostrate form. “Not right when the police are criminals, is it?”

I tried to answer him with some quip, but my strength failed me. I found myself sinking to a chair, which somehow had Daniel on it first. He held me on his lap, and I buried my face in his shoulder and hung on.

Daniel cradled me close, kissing my hair. James patted my shoulder, trying to soothe me, and I decided there were no two better men in the world than they.

“I am taking Papa home tomorrow,” Cynthia announced to me the next morning as Tess and I finished cleaning up the breakfast things. It was Tess’s day out, but the dear girl wanted to make certain everything was neat for me before she departed. She’d also lingered to hear about my adventures.

“That would be best, I agree,” I said to Cynthia as I finished wiping my worktable.

“He’s feeling much livelier now that the true murderer has been arrested,” Cynthia went on. “Add to that, Mr. Parkin agreed to soften the terms of the loan. Papa will pay back every penny, but thanks to you, he has much more time and will owe far less interest.”

“Mr. Parkin wants to make a go of having a legitimate business, he told me.” I set out a basket of carrots from yesterday’s shopping and began to go through them. “It was one reason he went to Manchester, apart from the wedding. To attract new investors, or something of the sort. I wasn’t quite certain what all he was explaining to me.”

“You ought to have taken me with you,” Cynthia said sternly. “Wallace could have popped you on the head at any time you were walking about.”

“Hardly in the crowds of the Strand and Covent Garden.” I lined up the carrots I’d chosen, readying them for peeling and scrubbing. “I did not inform you because you were looking after your father, and besides, I wasn’t sure I was right. I only wanted to ask Mobley’s neighbor more details about that morning, because no one paid much attention to his story. I only meant to tie up the loose ends, not be followed and attacked.”

“Lucky for you, Daniel was there,” Cynthia went on severely.

“That’s what I said,” Tess put in. She snatched up her bonnet and set it carefully on her head, checking her appearance in the mirror. I guessed she’d meet Constable Greene today for another lively knees-up.

“It was not luck.” I’d explained many times to both Daniel and Cynthia that I’d not have remained in Daniel’s flat if I’d thought I’d be cornered there. I’d been very careful and would have gone straight to Scotland Yard had I not thought Daniel would soon be along. “Never mind. Please convey my best wishes to your father for a safe journey.”

“I will.” Cynthia grinned. “He’s taken with you, Mrs. H. He might hire you away from Aunty and Uncle to come cook for us in Hertfordshire.”

“No, he will not,” I said firmly. “I prefer London, and in London I shall remain.”

Cynthia knew exactly why I wished to stay in the metropolis—for several reasons, in fact. She only widened her smile and turned away, clattering through the hall and up the stairs to prepare for their journey.

In the late hours that night, when the house was dark and quiet, Daniel arrived at the back door. I greeted him silently and set before him a plate of leftover roast, carrots, and potatoes I’d served to Lord Clifford and Cynthia for supper. I plunked a fork next to it and seated myself not far from him.

“Magistrate was not kind to Wallace,” Daniel told me between mouthfuls. “Was quite unhappy that a policeman had managed to commit murder and then investigate his own crime under other policemen’s noses. Apparently, Sergeant Scott had already suspected him and had been quietly investigating Wallace’s movements.”

“Sergeant Scott will go far, I predict.” I poured tea for both of us, adding a bit of sugar and dollop of cream in both. “He has the cool-headed resolve for the job.” I wasn’t certain I liked the man, but I recognized his competence.

“If Sergeant Scott had a helpmeet like you, he would go far indeed.” Daniel winked at me as he took another large bite.

“Impertinence,” I scolded. It would never do to let Daniel know how much his offhand compliments pleased me.

As he finished eating, my ebullience ebbed. I descended into the troubling thoughts I’d had since I’d spoken so forthrightly with Lord Clifford the other night.

The only sounds beyond us now were the quiet hiss of the kettle I always kept warming and a thunk of coal breaking apart inside the stove. A breath of peace in a kitchen that could see so much bustle.

“I told Cynthia’s father to be kind to her,” I said as Daniel scraped his plate clean and laid down his fork. “In other words, to take comfort in the child he had left. But oh, Daniel.” I let my hand slide from my teacup to go limp on the table. “I can pity him so deeply. If something happened to Grace, it would be the end of me.” My eyes stung, and I suddenly found it difficult to breathe.

Warmth touched me as Daniel knelt next to my chair and slid his arms around me. “I feel the same about James. We’ll protect them together, you and I, shall we? From everything bad in the world.”

“Will we be able to?” I asked, the words shaky.

“I intend to have a damned good try. Join me?”

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