Page 57 of Garden of Lies

“Rosemont and his laboratory.” Ursula raised her head. “And Anne’s connection to the drug trade, which appears to have been going on for several months. I just do not understand it.”

“Neither do I, not yet. But her involvement may have led to her death.”

“That reminds me.” Ursula stepped out of his arms and went to the satchel sitting on top of her desk. “I have something to show you. I collected a sample of the dried herbs that I found in Rosemont’s laboratory. I think he used them to concoct the drug. I saw no other plant specimens on the premises. And he said something about ruing the day he agreed to make the ambrosia.”

“He admitted that he was concocting the drug?”

“Yes.”

Slater watched her open the satchel and remove a small bundle created from a knotted handkerchief. When she untied the square of linen he saw a handful of dried leaves and flowers.

“I don’t recognize that plant,” he said. “It’s nothing like the opium poppy.”

“I have never encountered it, either.”

“One way or another, we must consider the stuff to be dangerous. Rosemont was willing to commit murder and destroy his own laboratory to protect his secrets. If you don’t mind, I’ll take the sample to a botanist I know. He was a friend of my father’s. Perhaps he will recognize the leaves.”

“I suppose I could ask Lady Fulbrook about the herb.”

“No,” Slater said. “We don’t know what is going on in the Fulbrook household. You must not tell Lady Fulbrook or anyone else what happened to you today. Above all, you must not let on that you discovered these leaves.”

“Very well.”

“We need more information,” Slater said.

“About the plant, do you mean?”

“That, too. But I want details of the goings-on at the Olympus Club.”

“I thought that was why we were trying to arrange an interview with the brothel madam, Mrs. Wyatt.”

“I don’t think that we can count on obtaining a great deal of information from her—not if she is involved in this drug business. She will have her own interests to protect.”

“Will you talk to one of the members of the club?” Ursula asked.

“That would be the best approach. Unfortunately, there is a problem. I am not a member of the club, and due to the fact that I have been out of the country for the greater part of the past decade, I lack the social connections I need to convince a member to confide in me. But there are other ways to gather information.”

Ursula was silent for a little too long.

“What are you thinking?” he asked.

“I’m thinking that your partner, Lord Torrence, might be able to assist you,” Ursula said.

“You refer to myformerpartner who evidently detests the sight of me.”

“I told you, I don’t think Torrence hates you. I believe he is afraid of you.”

“I think you’re wrong but even if you’re correct, it comes to the same thing. He won’t help me.”

“It will be your task to convince him to change his mind. Meanwhile, it occurs to me that whoever was supplying the herbs to Rosemont must be a very expert gardener. It might be interesting to take a closer look at the contents of Lady Fulbrook’s conservatory tomorrow.”

Ghostly fingers touched Slater’s neck. “I don’t think you should return to that house.”

“There’s nothing to worry about.” Ursula smiled reassuringly. “After all, Griffith will be out front in the street the whole time I am inside.”

TWENTY-FIVE

Matty looked up from her typing when Ursula opened the door of the office.

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