Page 54 of Ghost in the Garden
“You’re right,” Constance said to her. “Anyone moving from one world to another needs to avoid the law or buy it off. Solomon, I think we should speak to the police, at least to Inspector Harris.”
Only as she said it did she realize that both of them were talking as if their partnership was still intact, that they were still pursuing this case together.
“I agree,” he said.
He didn’t point out that he’d wanted to do so last night. They really needed to listen to each other…
Solomon passed a card to Constance’s mother. “Mrs. Silver, this man will call to show you around some likely premises for your shop.”
“Where?” Juliet asked eagerly.
“Covent Garden, I think. And further west. You might also want to think of selling your old house to me, just to avoid further trouble.”
“That just moves the trouble to you,” Juliet pointed out. “Besides, what do you want with a house in Seven Dials?”
“I might renovate it, an alternative to building new houses. If you choose to sell.” He picked up his hat and transferred his attention to Constance. “Shall we?”
Constance, after a doubtful glance at her innocent-looking mother, preceded him out of the office. Since they appeared to be working together, she was happy to ignore last night’s quarrel.
It was Solomon who brought it up.
“I know you are capable,” he said, with no warning, without even offering his arm or looking at her. “And I know this is more your world we are dealing with than mine. But I don’t have so many friends that I can afford to lose them. I am overprotective, not unappreciative of your talents.”
She was not untouched, though she reacted with humor. “Your view of my talents is so different to other men’s.” She took his arm without invitation. “I said some things I should not, things I did not mean.”
“I have never betrayed you and never will,” he said quietly.
“I know.”
He looked at her at last. “Are you safe in that house?”
“For now, yes. Though I am happier when Lambert is not at home. One of us, if not both of us, needs to be in the cellar when the ghost comes back on Saturday.”
“We don’t know that she will. She might consider herself rumbled and stay away.”
“What is she doing there?” Constance asked. “Laying gunpowder like Guy Fawkes?”
“We saw no sign of it. Though several of the doors were locked. They are so careful of safety, why does no one patrol down there as they do the grounds?”
“Maybe they think the only way in is through the house,” Constance said. “That door is pretty well hidden.”
“So how does our ghost know about it?”
“Because she found it for herself?” Constance said. “Or because she has an ally inside. A lover, though I can’t think who. None of the servants vanish for long periods of time, unless they’re out with Lambert or Angela. Even Duggin is usually in his own pantry and mostly visible.”
“Which leaves Lambert himself,” Solomon said. “Where was he during our ghost’s visit?”
“At dinner with Angela,” Constance replied, frowning. “For part of the time. But they didn’t sit together in the drawing room last night, as they did the night before. Angela was already in her own parlor by the time we told her about the body. The servants thought he was in his office, but I don’t know…”
“It would explain how furtive he is, keeping out of Angela’s way, and the servants’.”
Constance wrinkled her nose. “Would he bring another woman into his wife’s home?”
“Winsom did,” Solomon said, reminding her of their first mystery at Greenforth Manor.
“But Lambert relies on her!” Still, he had wandering eyes, if not hands.
“Hence his secrecy,” Solomon said. “Is that the real reason Angela hired us? To find out her rival’s identity?”
