Page 66 of The Last Chance
“Then he won’t mind answering a few questions when I visit him tomorrow.” Aaron turned his attention to Daventry. “Are you here to arrest her?”
“No. I persuaded the magistrate to give you the time you requested. You have until eight o’clock tomorrow night. Then you’ll both be taken in for questioning. There’s a constable stationed across the street outside The Burnished Jade. I’ve been ordered to remove your carriage from the mews to ensure she cannot abscond. Your coachman will follow me to the Thames Police Office.”
Aaron kept calm. Joanna’s life depended upon it. “I’ll come with you. We need to call at The Saracen’s Head. Godby has a room there.”
Daventry narrowed his gaze. “I expect you have a plan. Don’t breathe a word of it to me. I’ll not lie under oath.”
“You’ll escort me to the inn while I rouse Godby. That’s all. And you will accompany me when I question the suspects tomorrow. Miss Lovelace will remain here with Delphine. You’ll tell the constable you’ve placed her under house arrest. He can access the premises at any time to vouch for her whereabouts.”
With a curious frown, Daventry nodded. “Agreed.”
“Does anyone have the time?” Aaron said.
Flynn checked his watch. “Almost half-past two.”
“I’ll meet you at Parker’s residence at noon,” he informed Daventry. “Bring Lucia with you. Godby knows Miss Stowe’s address.” Aaron reviewed the plan in his mind. “My family will arrive in the morning. Until the murderer is in custody, I insist they reside here.”
“Your family pose no threat. As long as Miss Lovelace follows orders, I see no issue.” Daventry glanced at Aaron’s open-necked shirt. “I’ll wait while you fetch a coat.”
“I don’t need a coat. Time is of the essence.”
The plan went smoothly.
Daventry escorted Aaron to The Saracen’s Head across the street and waited in the yard while he fetched Godby. For the second consecutive night, his coachman occupied a room with Sigmund and a woman named Miss Bryant.
Sigmund pushed out of the rickety wooden chair he used for a bed. “Happen your worst fears have come true, then.”
Aaron nodded, banishing the rising dread that threatened to overwhelm him. “Be ready to leave in half an hour. Do you have the money, letters and jewels?”
“I have everything I need.” Sigmund patted his greatcoat pocket as proof and gestured to Joanna’s portmanteau near the door. “I forced the back window and packed what I could off the list. I hope the lady appreciates you risking your neck to save her.”
“I’ve evaded death more times than I can count. Let’s pray I’m as lucky this time.” Aaron studied the woman whose brother owed him more money than most men earned in a lifetime. “Do this without rousing suspicion, and I’ll give you the vowels. Remember, if questioned, say you warm my bed on occasion. Tell them you undressed in my chamber and discovered someone had stolen your clothes when you woke.”
Miss Bryant gave an unladylike snort. “I assure you, I’ll not admit to helping a suspected felon escape. That would make me a criminal.”
Aaron left with Godby and met Daventry in the yard beside the horseless carriage, the empty shell a symbol of a journey come to an end.
Daventry kept the conversation to a minimum. “I’ve spoken to the constable as requested.” He told Godby to ready Aaron’scarriage and follow him to the Thames Police Office. “I’ll drive you home again.”
Aaron returned to Fortune’s Den, stopping to talk to the constable stationed outside The Burnished Jade. He explained his plans for tomorrow and that Miss Lovelace would not be leaving the house.
“My mistress will join me for an hour.” He described Miss Bryant as a luscious brunette with a mouth made for sin. “As I’m not under arrest, I see no problem with a brief visit. Do you?”
The constable grinned. “I’m to watch the premises and make sure Miss Lovelace doesn’t leave. Mr Daventry didn’t warn against nocturnal visits.”
“Good.” Aaron patted the man’s back. “Someone with Miss Lovelace’s golden hair and striking looks would be impossible to miss.”
“That’s what my sergeant said.”
Once back at Fortune’s Den, Aaron found his family comforting Joanna in the drawing room. The sight made his heart lurch. She didn’t deserve to suffer. But his enemy had played a winning hand in this game of wits.
Who despised him so much he’d hurt an innocent woman?
The answer Aaron had been avoiding assaulted his mind.
Was his father alive?
Had Ignatius Chance returned from the grave to give him a beating?
