Page 13 of The Secrets of Lord Grayson Child
Baines transferred his gaze to Izzy. It was a kind-enough gray gaze, holding none of Perkins’s instant suspicions. “Mrs. Molyneaux?”
Izzy copied Gray, and Baines introduced himself and Littlejohn, who, notebook in hand, half bowed. Baines concluded with, “We’re from Scotland Yard, sent in response to his lordship’s request.” Baines’s gaze shifted between Izzy and Gray. “I believe the pair of you found the body. Together?”
Gray nodded.
“Indeed,” Izzy said.
Baines focused on Izzy. “I understand you own and run the paper, Mrs. Molyneaux. Have you been here all day?”
“Since eight in the morning.”
Baines looked faintly surprised. “Is that normal?”
“Yes. It’s Friday. For us, that’s distribution day, when we send out this week’s edition. I’m always here for the entire day, issuing invoices and approving last-minute orders and so on.”
“I see.” Baines’s gaze rested on her. “You’re a widow, I hear. How long is it since your husband died, ma’am?”
She had to think quickly, especially with Gray sitting beside her—also plainly interested and knowing something of her past. “Eight years.” She raised her chin. “I bought the printing works seven years ago.”
Baines glanced at Littlejohn, confirming he was writing down the information. Izzy could only hope that the police didn’t think to look for a marriage license or a death certificate for the fictitious Mr. Molyneaux.
“Right.” Baines looked back at her. “You own and manageThe London Crier, and it’s produced and printed here.” Baines shifted his gaze to Gray. “And you, my lord. What brought you here today?”
Calmly, Gray replied, “I wished to speak with Mrs. Molyneaux concerning a piece she’s considering publishing.”
Baines’s brows faintly rose. “I hear you arrived at five o’clock—a trifle late for a business call, wasn’t it?”
Gray’s lips curved fractionally. “I preferred my discussion with Mrs. Molyneaux to be conducted in private, Inspector.”
Baines nodded. “So you waited until the staff left before coming in?”
“As I approached, the bells tolled for five, and I saw what I took to be most of the staff leaving. I had assumed they would, hence my arrival at that time. The staff were only a matter of yards down the street when I walked in, and before you ask, I have no idea whether Quimby was in the darkroom at that time.”
“Had you met Quimby before?” Baines asked.
Gray shook his head. “Aside from Mrs. Molyneaux, I haven’t met any of those who work here.”
“I see.” Baines turned to Izzy. “Did you know Quimby was in the darkroom, Mrs. Molyneaux?”
Izzy shook her head. “As I explained to Constable Perkins, Quimby came and went as he pleased. I wasn’t surprised when I saw—or rather, realized because of the Occupied sign—that he’d come in, but I did think it odd that he was still in the darkroom given it was six o’clock. He was usually gone by then.”
“Do you often remain here until six o’clock, ma’am?” Littlejohn put in.
“Not often, but sometimes, it’s six before I leave.”
Gray had been keeping an eye on the foyer. He was keen to learn what the surgeon had found, and just then, the dapper Dr. Cromer reappeared, juggling his black bag while he shrugged on his overcoat. He turned toward the office, while two other men bearing a stretcher with a sheet-covered body upon it went past him, heading for the front door.
Alerted by the footsteps, Baines turned, saw the surgeon, and grunted. “Cromer—what can you tell me?”
Settling his collar, Cromer walked into the office. “Dead as a doornail, old son. Cause being a sharp blade thrust just above the heart. Double-sided narrow blade—perhaps a dagger of some sort, but definitely narrow.”
The bell over the door tinkled faintly as the men ferrying Quimby’s body to the morgue departed with their burden.
“How long’s he been dead?” Littlejohn was scribbling madly.
Cromer hesitated, and Gray judged it time to volunteer, “When we found him, the body was still warm. Almost normal temperature—barely cooled at all. And the blood was tacky, but not fully congealed.”
Cromer’s eyes lit with interest. “What time was that? Do you know?”
