Page 93 of The Secrets of Lord Grayson Child
When Digby arrived with more delivery slips, she smiled and took them. After flicking through the slips, she said to Gray, “If the reorders keep coming in at this rate, the edition, both first and second printing, is going to sell out.”
“The hue and cry concept certainly seems to have sparked London’s interest.” He continued to watch those coming through the door. “Here’s hoping something comes of that.”
“How are things going out there?”
“All very ordered. The line outside is moving steadily. People are coming in, reporting what they’ve come to share and leaving their details, then departing. It’s going remarkably smoothly.”
“No doubt due to the repressive presence of Baines and Littlejohn.”
“Very likely.”
The steady stream of people gradually waned.
Gray saw Baines cross to the counter. After speaking with Littlejohn, Baines walked into the office.
Izzy looked up and waved him to the other chair before the desk. “Anything of interest?”
Baines slumped into the chair. “Bits and pieces—quite a few names we didn’t know, but at this point, most seem innocent enough.”
With a soft huff, Izzy returned to writing out the most recent invoices.
By a quarter to nine, the line outside had dwindled to nothing, yet interspersed with the delivery lads still turning up to beg more copies, people—males and now the occasional female—were coming in, most hesitant, curious, and cautious, to offer up what they knew.
At nine o’clock, the bell over the door tinkled, but it was the firm footstep that followed that had Gray looking up. “Drake’s here,” he told Izzy.
Baines glanced around, but didn’t know who “Drake” was.
Drake glanced at the counter, but made straight for the office, his stride discouraging any interception.
Gray rose to his feet, and Baines lumbered to his and turned to face the door.
The instant Drake walked in, Izzy greeted him. “Winchelsea.” She waved at Baines. “Allow me to present Inspector Baines of Scotland Yard, who’s in charge of the investigation.”
Drake nodded to Baines. “Inspector.”
His eyes wide, Baines bowed and mumbled, “My lord.”
Gray offered his hand, and Drake grasped it. “Child.”
Blandly, Izzy inquired, “Were we expecting you?”
Drake grinned at her. “You didn’t think I’d miss this, did you?”
She softly snorted. “I’m more surprised that Louisa isn’t here.”
“You should be. She was most put out that she had an engagement she didn’t dare ignore.”
A tap on the door frame had them all looking that way.
Glancing warily at Drake, Littlejohn came in, a list in his hands. “We’ve got several more names of people in the photographs.”
“Excellent!” Izzy set aside her invoice ledger and spread over the desk the pages with the photographs attached.
Littlejohn handed her the list, explained how it was organized, then with another glance at Drake, left to return to his duties at the counter.
Quickly and efficiently, Izzy added the names to the relevant sheets.
Drake rounded the desk to read over her shoulder.
