The Custom House Murders (Captain Lacey Mysteries #15) - Ashley Gardner Page 0,10
left not long later, as I said—the landlady told me he was already abed.”
“Did you ask her for the book? As it was yours, she might have fetched it for you.”
Eden rubbed his forehead. “Yes, yes, she did. And returned to tell me that Mr. Warrilow was fast asleep. He was alive then, and I never saw the man again.”
“Did you take the book?”
“Pardon? Oh, yes, of course.”
Conant moved a paper, the sound a whisper. “Which is in your new lodgings, presumably.”
“Yes.” Eden’s hands tightened into fists on his lap.
“Very well, then. The coroner’s assistant who examined the body has estimated the time of death to be about eleven that night and probably not later than five in the morning.”
“That absolves me, then.” Eden looked a little more cheerful. “I was well away from Warrilow’s lodgings by eleven and I certainly did not go back later.”
“Where did you go?” Conant lifted his pen and dipped it into ink.
“To my rooms, of course.” In spite of Eden’s confident tone, his fists tightened again.
“Witnesses?” When Eden didn’t answer, Conant looked up. “Your landlord? A fellow lodger? Anyone who saw you on the street? Did you stop by your club to greet anyone?”
Conant was trying to help him, I saw. He must doubt that Eden killed Mr. Warrilow, but if Eden continued to fidget and blush, he might as well put a noose around his own neck. Juries tended to believe that anyone who acted guilty truly was. What other reason would a man have to be nervous?
“No, no,” Eden said breathily. “Saw no one, unfortunately. Slept like a babe. Spent yesterday looking up old friends, seeing to my tailor—will need heavier clothing for this climate. Got word from the Custom House I was welcome to retrieve my baggage, which is where I went this morning.”
The room grew silent, save for the scratch of Conant’s pen on the paper and Pomeroy snorting through a stuffy nose. Eden’s hands loosened, and he returned to drumming them. His gaze fixed on Conant’s quill, which moved evenly over the page.
Finally, Conant set the pen down again. When he lifted his head, he looked at me, not Eden.
“Captain Lacey, I assume you have accompanied your friend to speak of his good character?”
He was giving me the opportunity to clear Eden as well. Sir Nathaniel did not want to send him to Newgate, I could see—he was a fair man, and I had been proved right about the innocence of a man he’d charged before. Either Conant now trusted me, or he did not want to get caught out again.
I gave him a nod. “I served with Major Eden on the Peninsula. We were captains in the same regiment. Major Eden was known for his bravery, but he was not reckless. He saved many a man with his prudence. I trusted him.”
“Do you trust him still?” The question came in a gentle tone, Conant’s intelligent gaze piercing me.
I thought of how readily Eden had walked into the dark alley with me and faced the subtle menace of Mr. Creasey. He’d been trying to ask for my help—I assume about the handbill he’d seen with his name on it—but he’d put that worry aside to assist me.
“Yes,” I answered. “I trust him still.”
Conant studied me while I hoped I had not made a terrible misjudgment of character. At last he bent his head and made a note.
“Very well. Major Eden, given the lack of sufficient evidence, I will not charge you for a crime at this time. However.” He fixed Eden with a severe gaze. “Please remain in London, until I can be confident in the identity of Mr. Warrilow’s killer. Retain your lodgings in St. James’s Place, and be prepared to answer any further questions.”
Eden blew out a breath, his relief apparent. “Of course. Thank you, Sir Nathaniel.”
Conant sent him a brief nod, then gathered his papers and rose. We scrambled to our feet, me leaning heavily on my stick. Conant gave us another nod then made his way around us, moving slowly but with dignity, and out the door Pomeroy opened for him.
“Well, that’s you lucky.” Pomeroy beamed at Eden. “Congratulations, sir.” He came forward and shook Eden’s hand. “But do remain where I can put my hands on you again if I need to.”
“I have already said I would, Sergeant.” Eden sent him a wry smile. “I’m pleased to find you in good circumstances. At least, more pleased than I was an hour ago.”