“Immediately, if you desire.”
CHAPTER 6
No one looking at her would have guessed, but Lily felt sick with nerves as she gazed up at the magistrate’s office on Great Marlborough Street. Even without her frustrating encounter with Mr. Page, she would have felt out of place and presumptuous, given that she was going not to seek aid but to give information—information that, for all she knew, the magistrate’s officers had already discovered. When she closed her eyes, she could practically see her father scowling.
But Lily also saw the young man, unknown and perhaps unmourned, lying cold in the basement of the Bow Street offices. She was doing the right thing. She knew it.
She took Jack’s arm as she alighted from the carriage. “Shall we?”
He looked concerned. “If you are sure, Mrs. Adler.”
“I am. No matter what that poor boy was doing there, he deserves justice.”
“I meant, are you sure you wish me to take the lead?” Jack said, frowning. “It is your information, after all, and you have made it clear that you are not impressed with any sort of—”
Lily squeezed his arm, cutting him off. “I doubt I will get anywhere without your assistance, so I am content to make use of it.” He still looked uncertain, so she added, “I promise to hold it against them, not you.”
Jack sighed. “If you say so. But I’ve no desire to be on the business end of your glowering.”
It might have made her smile if she hadn’t been so nervous. “You shan’t be.” She thought about that, then added, “For this, at least. I am sure I shall find other reasons to glower at you in the future.”
Jack snorted. “Certainly. Well, if you are ready …” He did a little glowering himself, then, staring at the stone facade looming before them.
Jack, Lily was realizing, did not approve of the new Bow Street Runners that had been attached to the magistrates’ offices. Many among the upper classes and the military, both groups accustomed to handling their own affairs, felt the same.
Lily took a deep breath, determined not to let Jack’s disapproval or her own nerves deter her. They had come for a purpose.
The young man at the porter’s desk straightened as they came inside. “Morning, ma’am, sir,” he said, managing to bow from his high perch without standing. “What can I do for ye?”
“And a good morning to you, lad.” Jack’s tone was both friendly and assured, and the porter sat up straighter in response. “Is this the office where Mr. Simon Page works?”
A wary look entered the Bow Street officer’s eyes. “’Tis, sir.”
Lily waited for more, foot tapping. When no further information was forthcoming, Jack asked, his voice taking on a more authoritative edge, “May we speak to him?”
“’Fraid not, sir.” The porter shook his head. “Mr. Page is preparing to testify at th’ Old Bailey. At a trial. Very important part of the process, that is,” he added, in case they belonged to the group of people who still believed an accusation was as good as proof.
Lily let out an impatient huff of breath. “When will he be free?”
“’Fraid I dunno, ma’am.”
“But we need—” Lily broke off as Jack laid a hand on her arm.
She could see a muscle beginning to twitch in his cheek, but he said calmly, “I can assure you, Constable, our business cannot wait. We have important information concerning a case that Mr. Page is investigating.”
Something about his quiet voice, or perhaps his military air, seemed to convince the porter. The young man’s eyes grew wide, and he nodded, standing straighter as he hopped down from his perch. “Bide ’ere a moment; I’ll go tell him. Who should I say …?” He trailed off, clearly unsure of the protocol he should follow.
“Mrs. Adler and Captain John Hartley to see him, if you please,” Jack said, betraying no hint of judgment at the man’s unpolished manners. Though perhaps, Lily reflected, he did not feel any. In the navy, though his brother officers would have been gentlemen, he would have worked with men from a variety of classes, and his success as a captain would have depended on his ability to gain their trust and respect. Watching the ease with which Jack managed the young porter, Lily began to appreciate the air of command that lurked behind his comfortable manners.
They waited several minutes, Lily pacing back and forth in front of the desk while Jack settled into a chair and picked up a news sheet. At last the porter returned, motioning for them to follow him. “This way, if ye will.”
He led them to a door with a small plaque on it: Mr. Simon Page, Principal Officer.
The office they were shown into was a surprise. Several tall windows let in the light, and there were shelves filled with what appeared to be books of law. It was rather like being in someone’s underfurnished study, and Lily was impressed in spite of herself.
Mr. Page stood as they entered. He was just as average as Lily remembered him, from height to hair—all except his gaze, which was sharp enough to make her feel uneasy as it settled on her.
“Mrs. Adler, Captain Hartley.” Mr. Page bowed in greeting. “To what do I owe the visit?”
Jack glanced at Lily; at her nod, he cleared his throat. “We wish to speak to you regarding last night’s incident.”
Mr. Page’s jaw tightened. “If you are concerned for your safety, I can assure you, the Bow Street force has things in hand.”
“No, that is not what concerns us.” Lily tried not to speak sharply; he would be less likely to listen if she made him feel defensive. “I wanted another chance to tell you what I overheard concerning the murdered man.”
“You wish to support the police in their work?” Mr. Page asked, one corner of his mouth lifting in an ironic smile. “How unusual. Unfortunately, Mrs. Adler, that incident is no longer under investigation.”
Lily had expected to hear again that it was none of her business, or that she had imagined things, or something else equally dismissive. To be told that the case was laid aside entirely was so surprising that she was at a loss for words. They stared at each other, Mr. Page’s expression as shuttered as her own, neither one betraying what they were thinking. “No longer … May I ask why?” she managed at last.
“Insufficient evidence.” He paused a moment, then with evident reluctance added, “Our magistrates, Mr. Neve and Mr. Scott, have decided that pursuing the matter would tie up resources better put to work elsewhere.”
“What do you mean, ‘insufficient evidence’?” Lily demanded.
The constable shrugged, rudely casual. “The coroner’s inquest was held early this morning. Jury ruled for death by person or persons unknown, predictably enough. But we can’t identify the man, and without knowing who he is, we’ve no way to discover who did it.”
“And that is the end of the matter?” Lily’s hands clenched inside her muff.
Jack snorted. “Don’t want to do any real work, I suppose? Bloody thief-takers,” he muttered, arms crossing as he glared at the constable.
Mr. Page stiffened. “I am a principal officer of the Bow Street force, sir; I serve the law and obey my superiors, which I would have expected a military man to understand. If you have further concerns, you are welcome to take them up with a magistrate.”