Page 58 of Speculations in Sin

It was all I could say as we trudged to the corner, where Lewis had promised to wait for us.

Daniel’s gloved hand closed over mine. “You were good to bolster his spirits. The unwavering Kat.”

I came out of my doldrums to send him an indignant glance. “I did not exaggerate my certainty that we can free him. All we have to do is discover who had keys to that room, who was seen entering the building at the time in question, and who the embezzler was. I wager the killer and embezzler are one and the same.”

“That is all we have to do, is it?” Daniel had the audacity to laugh. “You make life sound so simple, my Kat.”

“It is simple.” As annoyed as I was, I did not withdraw from him. Walking so close to Daniel and his warmth felt nice. “Men always try to make things so much more complicated than they need to be.”

To Daniel’s renewed laughter, we reached Lewis’s cab and Daniel handed me in.

“We’ll go to the Millburns’ now,” I told Lewis.

“Right you are, missus,” Lewis said. The cab lurched as the large horse jerked us into traffic.

It was not far from Newgate to the Millburns’—down Old Bailey to Ludgate Hill and from there around St. Paul’s to Cheapside. Not long later, I was alighting at the end of Clover Lane.

Daniel climbed down and assisted me out as though I weren’tperfectly capable of descending from the cab on my own. I expected him to take my arm and accompany me to Joanna’s, but he released me with regret.

“I have to return to the Yard,” he said. “Monaghan is expecting me. But I can confer with Inspector McGregor about this key business. It is the sort of detail he’ll pay attention to.”

“Thank you,” I said with sincerity, “for taking me to see Sam.” I shivered with more than January’s cold. “We must get him out of there.”

“I will do my best. I can bring it up again with Monaghan today. Maybe wear him down, have him put a word in.”

“No,” I said in alarm. “He made you pay a price for my release. Sam will not thank you for increasing that price for him.”

Daniel’s expression was unreadable. “Let me worry about Monaghan, Kat. I have his measure.”

“And he has yours.” I did not trust the bespectacled, ice-cold man, who held who knew what position with the police. I also did not like that it was all so very secret.

“I have learned exactly how far I can goad him, and when to back away.” Daniel traced the curve of my cheek with a gloved finger. “Don’t waste time worrying about me. Worry about Joanna, and take care of her.” He leaned closer, letting a kiss touch my lips. “Give my love to Grace.”

With that he backed away, not realizing he’d left me breathless. Daniel doffed his cap and turned back to the cab Lewis held ready, his impudent grin in place.

As soon as Daniel’s feet touched the floor of the cab, the horse moved forward. Daniel fell into the seat and waved at me until he was lost behind the carts and cabs that filled Cheapside.

A small laugh escaped my lips as soon as he was gone. Daniel always left me dazzled.

I noted a constable lurking at the end of Clover Lane, tryingnot to be noticeably watching it. I noted one a little way down Cheapside as well.

I gave both a nod and then hastened down the lane to the house. My steps were light because I’d see Grace, though my heart still ached for Sam.

When I reached the house, the maid, Carrie, pulled open the door for me. “Mrs. Millburn has a visitor,” she whispered to me, eyes round.

Fearing the ruffian Mr. Jarrett had bullied his way into the house, I rushed into the sitting room without bothering to shed my hat and coat.

The man who rose at my entrance was not Mr. Jarrett. Joanna looked pained, not fearful, as I gazed upon the rather mournful countenance of Sam’s friend Mr. Kearny, the banker who’d been kind to me in the upstairs hall of Daalman’s.

17

“Good morning, Mr. Kearny,” I said with some surprise.

I relinquished my coat and hat to Carrie, who’d pattered in behind me, and seated myself on the chair Joanna had risen to indicate, as though I were a grand lady caller. Mr. Kearny bowed to me and waited until Joanna and I had settled ourselves before he sat down again.

“I have been meaning to look in on Mrs. Millburn,” Mr. Kearny said. “Make certain she is well, and all that.”

He spoke like an affable young gentleman, in no different a manner than Mr. Thanos might. But while Mr. Thanos always exuded sincerity, I did not quite know what to make of Mr. Kearny. Sam said he was a friend, and that he was an unlikely murderer, but I was suspicious of everybody. For instance, why, on this Thursday morning, was Mr. Kearny not bent over his desk at Daalman’s?

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