all the details of the events described by Lord Webster’s servants, especially as they pertained to the night of the fire.”
“What did you discover?”
“At first glance nothing unusual,” she replied, her tone brisk and businesslike. “No strangers lurking about the grounds, no sudden dismissal of any of the servants, no unexpected visitors. Lord Webster was preparing to host a large party, hence the household was somewhat hectic, but there was nothing to indicate the disaster that was to come.”
Just as it had been at his own home, Morgan thought.
“It was how the servants reacted when they were questioned after the fire that caught my attention,” Julia continued.
“What do you mean?”
“They were uniformly distraught, naturally, having lost all their worldly goods as well as their source of income. But there was one woman who appeared more shaken than the rest — a Miss Sarah Montgomery. She had been employed as a housemaid at the time of the fire. I recall seeing her days afterward at a pub where Lord Webster’s servants frequently gathered. She was ashen and inconsolable, breaking into tears at the mere mention of the fire.”
“An understandable reaction, I would think.”
“Yes,” Julia agreed, but it was clear in her expression that she wasn’t quite convinced. Her next words confirmed it. “Something in her manner disturbed me,” she said. “Miss Montgomery wasn’t simply upset. She was nervous and frightened, as though she had a secret she was terrified might be found out. I had made a note to myself to question her later, but she left London before I had a chance. Apparently her sister had found her employment in Sussex.”
“What of Mr. Chivers at the Yard? Did he find her behavior suspicious?”
“Not at all. Aside from being so distraught, she was very cooperative. Like everyone else, she reported seeing nothing unusual the day of the fire, nor did she claim to know the identity of the man found among the ashes. Furthermore, she received a letter of high commendation from Lord Webster himself.”
Morgan shrugged. “I would think that would settle the matter.”
“Perhaps it might have, had Lazarus remained buried in the ashes of that fire. But as he has resurrected himself, I thought I ought to begin my search where I left off two years ago. Short of waiting for Lazarus to come to me — or worse, waiting until he sets another fire — it seemed the most prudent course of action.”
Logical enough, he supposed. Yet still… “You intend to travel to Sussex to question her?”
“Fortunately, there’s no need for that. Evidently Sussex was not to Miss Montgomery’s liking. She returned to the city after an absence of only seven months. She is presently working as a kitchenmaid in Lady Escher’s employ. I’ve done a bit of research into her habits and discovered a tea shop she frequents once her morning marketing is finished.”
He nodded, impressed. “You believe she’ll discuss the fire with you?”
“I have no idea.” She tucked her notebook inside her pocket, facing him with an air of breezy determination. “I won’t know until I try, will I?”
“You mean, until we try.”
She looked startled, then dismayed. “That’s very kind, but there’s no need for you to accompany me, I assure you. I’ve been making these forays to the East End for years and—”
“In search of a few choice morsels of gossip to sprinkle through your column,” he pointed out. “Not following the trail of a deadly arsonist who has apparently singled you out for his attention. Need I remind you that there is a difference?”
“Nevertheless, I would rather—”
“I insist.”
Their eyes met and held for a long moment. “I don’t suppose there’s anything I can say that might dissuade you?” she said at last.
“No.”
“I thought not.” She let out a soft sigh. “Very well.” She paused, eyeing him critically. “Do you have anything disreputable to
“What did you discover?”
“At first glance nothing unusual,” she replied, her tone brisk and businesslike. “No strangers lurking about the grounds, no sudden dismissal of any of the servants, no unexpected visitors. Lord Webster was preparing to host a large party, hence the household was somewhat hectic, but there was nothing to indicate the disaster that was to come.”
Just as it had been at his own home, Morgan thought.
“It was how the servants reacted when they were questioned after the fire that caught my attention,” Julia continued.
“What do you mean?”
“They were uniformly distraught, naturally, having lost all their worldly goods as well as their source of income. But there was one woman who appeared more shaken than the rest — a Miss Sarah Montgomery. She had been employed as a housemaid at the time of the fire. I recall seeing her days afterward at a pub where Lord Webster’s servants frequently gathered. She was ashen and inconsolable, breaking into tears at the mere mention of the fire.”
“An understandable reaction, I would think.”
“Yes,” Julia agreed, but it was clear in her expression that she wasn’t quite convinced. Her next words confirmed it. “Something in her manner disturbed me,” she said. “Miss Montgomery wasn’t simply upset. She was nervous and frightened, as though she had a secret she was terrified might be found out. I had made a note to myself to question her later, but she left London before I had a chance. Apparently her sister had found her employment in Sussex.”
“What of Mr. Chivers at the Yard? Did he find her behavior suspicious?”
“Not at all. Aside from being so distraught, she was very cooperative. Like everyone else, she reported seeing nothing unusual the day of the fire, nor did she claim to know the identity of the man found among the ashes. Furthermore, she received a letter of high commendation from Lord Webster himself.”
Morgan shrugged. “I would think that would settle the matter.”
“Perhaps it might have, had Lazarus remained buried in the ashes of that fire. But as he has resurrected himself, I thought I ought to begin my search where I left off two years ago. Short of waiting for Lazarus to come to me — or worse, waiting until he sets another fire — it seemed the most prudent course of action.”
Logical enough, he supposed. Yet still… “You intend to travel to Sussex to question her?”
“Fortunately, there’s no need for that. Evidently Sussex was not to Miss Montgomery’s liking. She returned to the city after an absence of only seven months. She is presently working as a kitchenmaid in Lady Escher’s employ. I’ve done a bit of research into her habits and discovered a tea shop she frequents once her morning marketing is finished.”
He nodded, impressed. “You believe she’ll discuss the fire with you?”
“I have no idea.” She tucked her notebook inside her pocket, facing him with an air of breezy determination. “I won’t know until I try, will I?”
“You mean, until we try.”
She looked startled, then dismayed. “That’s very kind, but there’s no need for you to accompany me, I assure you. I’ve been making these forays to the East End for years and—”
“In search of a few choice morsels of gossip to sprinkle through your column,” he pointed out. “Not following the trail of a deadly arsonist who has apparently singled you out for his attention. Need I remind you that there is a difference?”
“Nevertheless, I would rather—”
“I insist.”
Their eyes met and held for a long moment. “I don’t suppose there’s anything I can say that might dissuade you?” she said at last.
“No.”
“I thought not.” She let out a soft sigh. “Very well.” She paused, eyeing him critically. “Do you have anything disreputable to
Similar Books
