to greet him. “What brings you here today? Have a book you’d like to publish?”
Based on the man’s grim expression, Thomas had the feeling something else was on his mind. Cummings hadn’t been at the club the previous evening, much to Thomas’s disappointment. But his presence here suggested something was afoot.
“I just overheard a conversation I thought you’d want to know about.” Cummings glanced over his shoulder to make certain Bing had left the room. “There might very well be a connection between Smead’s murder and the Company.”
“How do you mean?” Thomas stilled even as his heartbeat pounded in his ears.
“I assume you can keep my name out of this.” Cummings lowered his voice, looking at the door again as if to see if it remained closed. He appeared more nervous than Thomas had ever seen him, his normal good humor absent.
“Of course.”
“According to what I overheard at the East India Office earlier today, there are two docks they’re determined to take over by whatever means necessary.”
Thomas waited as Cummings hesitated, half-afraid the man wouldn’t share more.
“The ones owned by Arlingwood and Sir Reginald Gold.”
He stared at Cummings in disbelief as a chill crept along his flesh. “Truly?”
Cummings nodded. “East India intends to buy them both for next to nothing. Then they’ll control an even larger section of the docks along the Thames.”
Thomas’s thoughts raced. This was too much of a coincidence not to be related. The logical part of his mind suggested there could be a connection. The suspicious part leapt to the conclusion that someone within the Company knew Annabelle had written A Murder Most Unusual and intended to use it. Did they plan on suggesting Sir Reginald was somehow involved in the murder? “Did you hear any other details?”
“That’s all I know.” Cummings shook his head. “I can’t imagine who at the Company is directing this, nor do I have proof of anything. Smead was a friend. I can’t believe he was murdered for greed.”
“Nor can I.”
“I’ll advise you if I come across anything else.” Cummings held his gaze. “If you intend to get involved, take care. Whoever is behind this will apparently stop at nothing.” He took his leave, unaware Thomas was directly on his heels.
He needed to warn Annabelle to make certain her entire family took care.
~*~
“Oh dear.” Annabelle’s mother frowned as she read the contents of a message that had just arrived.
“What is it?” Annabelle looked up from her chair in the drawing room where she sat reading.
“Aberland won’t be able to accompany your father to the docks today. Something’s arisen to keep him away.”
“Is Father intent on going?” There were times when her father didn’t remember what day it was, let alone what he’d planned. But other times, he became focused on his schedule. Any change to his plans—if he remembered them—was extremely upsetting.
“Yes, I’m afraid so.”
“I would be happy to accompany him,” Annabelle offered as she marked her page in the book and set it on a nearby table.
“Are you certain?”
“Of course.” Annabelle had gone with him on several occasions, all of which had proven uneventful.
Although Sir Reginald made few decisions regarding the business since Aberland had begun assisting him, her father liked to visit the docks. No doubt part of him remembered doing so in the past.
“I’ll see if he still intends to go.” Annabelle rose alongside her mother, aware Lady Gold didn’t like visiting the office. She insisted she didn’t know enough about the business to be helpful if the manager asked Sir Reginald’s opinion on things.
Annabelle struggled with that as well, but Caroline and Aberland had given her some basic instructions that eased her worry.
“It’s important to the employees that Sir Reginald be seen walking through the area,” Aberland had explained. “Encourage him to greet people, even if he doesn’t remember their names. If anyone has specific questions, tell them you’ll look into the matter. Then let me know and I’ll see what I can do.”
Aberland had his own interests to look after in addition to her father’s, so Annabelle was happy to help in any way she could. She didn’t know much about the business but liked to think she was intelligent—and creative—enough to decide how to proceed if the need arose.
Annabelle knocked on the library door before opening it to find her father pacing the room.
He turned to look at her. “It’s time for me to go to the office? I don’t want to be late.” He pulled a gold pocket watch from his waistcoat and checked