and hoped he’d be able to find David with relative ease.
Several constables moved about the corridors, their blue uniforms marked with insignias that showed their rank. He asked one about David and was instructed to follow the corridor down to an office on the right where he’d find Sergeant Scuttles.
The door was slightly ajar so Sullivan pushed it open completely and stepped inside.
David looked up from his desk, then did a double take. Recognition hit the older man’s eyes and they widened. He set down his pencil and leaned back in his chair, bracketing his hands over his stomach.
“Sullivan,” David said, his tone not at all welcoming.
“It’s been a long time, David. How are you?”
“How I am is irrelevant. What are you doing here?”
So, yes, the man still hated Sullivan. It was understandable. He and David had grown up together in the coastal village near Southend-on-Sea. They’d been boyhood friends. Sullivan’s father, being the highest ranking aristocrat in the area, had adopted the village as his own and did his best to help the villagers. However, when Sullivan served in India, David’s younger brother had been under his command. And despite the promise he’d made to David, Sullivan had been unable to keep his promise of ensuring David’s brother’s safety. The boy had died there. David had never forgiven him. Indeed, Sullivan had never forgiven himself.
Despite that, there was no one else Sullivan trusted who could help him with this.
“A friend of mine might be in danger. I was hoping your office could provide some assistance,” Sullivan said.
“In what way are they in danger?”
“Her carriage broke down between Surrey and London, but I believe her carriage had been intentionally tampered with.”
David leaned forward, bracing his elbows on his desk. “So you believe someone sabotaged her carriage in hopes she would be in an accident?”
“I do.”
“But this happened outside of London?” David asked.
“That is correct.”
David tapped the insignia on his uniform. “Do you see this? City of London police. Therefore, if it didn’t happen in the city limits, I can do nothing for you. Furthermore, simply because you suspect something was intentionally done does not necessitate an investigation on my part. Besides which, there are no guarantees anything was done to her rig. It could have simply broken. It happens all the time, especially out on the roads in the countryside.”
“Of course, I realize all of that, but she could be in danger,” Sullivan said.
“Then you should do what you can to keep her safe.”
“Just like that?”
“This is not my responsibility, but you can assure yourself that if it was, I would address it. I do not shirk my responsibilities.”
The stab of his words made contact, and Sullivan fought off a wince. He could not blame the man for his anger and hostility. Sullivan had let him down. He’d let so many people down.
“On another matter, what can you tell me about Roderick’s death?” Sullivan had wanted more details since he’d found out about his oldest brother’s untimely death. No one in the family had anything more to offer than that it had been an accident.
David steepled his fingers under his chin. “It was not a case I investigated, but I did read the file, considering I knew him. Evidently, he was cleaning his pistol and it accidentally fired. He died almost instantly.”
Sullivan felt as if he’d been doused in ice-cold water. That didn’t make any sense at all. Roderick was the best of them with firearms. He’d always been an excellent marksman and hunter. They had jested that if Roderick had been on the frontline in India, the resolution would have occurred much sooner. He would never have cleaned a loaded weapon.
“No one investigated further into that story?” Sullivan asked.
“There was no need. It was corroborated by your brother.”
“Which brother?”
“Thomas,” David said. Then he narrowed his eyes. “He’s been dead for a couple of years, why the interest now?”
Sullivan shrugged to make his inquiry seem as innocuous as possible. “Curiosity, is all.” He tapped his knuckle on the desk. “It was good to see you, David. Have a good day.” Then he turned and walked away.
Two days later, Tilly was shopping with her friend and fellow member of the Ladies of Virtue, Justine. Tilly had found nothing of particular interest to buy and instead closely observed the people on the street.
“Can you even imagine being caught in such a situation?” Justine asked. “I simply can’t. How horrifying to have your own mother walk in on such a thing.”
Justine was sharing