Page 66 of Grave Expectations
"Was," Seth chimed in with a sad smile. "We were colleagues, working in a similar area. We shared our research from time to time. After Drinkwater's death, my rooms were ransacked but nothing was taken."
Mrs. Southey gasped again. "What were they looking for?"
"Research papers. We're both working on something highly sensitive."
"False limbs?"
"I can't confirm or deny that, I'm afraid. I wouldn't want to endanger your life too."
Good lord. If I rolled my eyes any more they'd do complete loops in the sockets.
"It's my belief he was killed for them," Seth went on, "but the killers didn't find what they wanted, so they came looking in my study, only to leave empty handed. I believe they think your sister may have hidden her husband's papers instead—to keep them safe."
"Surely she would have said something to me."
"Perhaps, perhaps not. She might decide that you're safer not knowing."
Her fingers fluttered at her trembling lips. "It explains why she didn't tell me where she was going."
I nodded. This was going rather well. "The police have been informed, of course, but I'm afraid Detective Inspector Tench doesn't agree with our theory. He's unwilling to commit resources to protect her."
Using the detective's name seemed to have the desired effect. Mrs. Southey nodded eagerly along with everything I said. "He did strike me as a rather lazy fellow. Fat people often are."
It was fortunate that she didn't know about my necromancy or my background living on the streets. She seemed to be prejudiced against anyone who wasn't like her.
"We've decided to warn your sister ourselves," Seth told her. "We've known her a long time, and she'll trust us."
She chewed on her lip and blinked at him. He smiled warmly back, but it didn't have the usual effect. She squinted at him. "She never mentioned you to me before. I thought Reggie worked alone."
"He did, usually, but he brought me on board for his latest experiments. If I hadmypapers here, I would gladly prove it you. Unfortunately they're all the way back in my study in Mayfair."
"Mayfair!"
"My home," he added with wide-eyed innocence.
Her back straightened, reminding me of her sister with her erect posture. While not as poised as Merry, Mrs. Southey had a neat, precise way of moving that both sisters possessed. "Where in Mayfair?"
Seth waved his hand. "It's just an old pile of bricks, really, but it's been in the family for years."
I half expected him to drag out the family title of Vickers, but he merely smiled at her again. This time it worked. Mrs. Southey blushed and touched her hair.
"Mrs. Southey, it's imperative you help us find Merry," he said, turning serious. "You can't allow that foreigner to get to her first."
I glared at him but he ignored me.
Mrs. Southey swallowed heavily. "You're right. I didn't trust him from the moment I laid eyes on him. I ought to tell the detective."
"We'll do it, won't we, Charlotte?"
"We're on our way to Kensington now—if you tell us where to find her, that is. We'll hand over everything we know to Tench immediately. It's the right thing to do."
"Oh, I don't know where she is," she said.
"Perhaps not, but you know her better than anyone. There must be someone she trusts enough to visit for a few days."
"She has few close friends left. Reggie wasn't the most sociable man." The pinched lips and sour tone told me what she thought of her brother-in-law more than her words did.
"What about friends from before she married?"
