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who can detect it. And if you accidentally trigger another one of those hideous poison traps, what will
you do without me? Whether you like it or not, we are partners in this affair. It has been that way from
the beginning. We need each other.
She was right, he thought. He certainly needed her in ways he had never dreamed that he would ever
need a woman.
 I will think about it, he allowed quietly.
She smiled, not in victory, he realized, but rather in relief. She really had been terrified for his safety
tonight.
 Good night, Thaddeus, she said softly.  And thank you for being reasonable.
Reason had little to do with this, he thought. When it came to this woman, he was in the grip of a
compulsion as binding as an hypnotic trance.
He crossed the room to open the door for her.
 One thing before you go, he said when she made to move past him.  How did you know that I was in
danger tonight?
She hesitated, looking first startled and then mildly troubled. Finally she shook her head.  I have no idea.
I just suddenly knew it.
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 That is because the bonds that connect us are growing stronger, he said quietly.
Anxiety shadowed her eyes. Before she could argue with him, he kissed her lightly on the mouth.
 Good night, Leona.
39
THE FOLLOWING MORNING Detective Spellar arrived just as Leona, Thaddeus and Victoria were
sitting down to breakfast. He was shown immediately into the room.
He greeted Victoria with a respectful but familiar air.
 Lady Milden, he said.
She gave him a regal nod.  Good morning, Detective. You re here early today.
Leona blinked at the calm, polite reception. It was more than a little extraordinary for a household such
as this one to entertain a police detective at breakfast.
Thaddeus introduced Spellar to Leona.
She smiled.  Detective.
Spellar inclined his head politely.  A pleasure, Miss Hewitt.
 Help yourself, Thaddeus said. He waved a hand at the heavily laden sideboard.  And tell us your
news.
 Thank you, sir, don t mind if I do. Spellar regarded the array of silver serving dishes with enthusiasm.
 Been up most of the night, and I don t mind admitting I m half-starved.
Leona studied him with deep curiosity. She had never met a detective before. Uncle Edward had not
been keen on associating with policemen.
Last night she d had only a shadowy glimpse of Spellar when he d answered the door and spoken with
Thaddeus. This morning she saw that he was of medium height, with a sturdy, rounded figure that
suggested he enjoyed his food on a grand scale. His thinning hair was going gray. A full mustache
dominated broad, cheerful features and served to distract the viewer from the razor-sharp intelligence
that gleamed in his blue-green eyes. His coat and trousers were immaculately tailored to flatter his portly
frame.
Thaddeus noticed her scrutiny. He looked amused.  I believe I may have mentioned that Detective
Spellar is a member of the Arcane Society. He possesses a talent that is especially useful in his
profession. He can read a crime scene as though it were a book.
 Mind you, Spellar said from the sideboard,  some books are harder to read than others.
 Were Lancing s lodgings difficult to interpret? Thaddeus asked.
 No. Spellar heaped eggs and sausages onto a plate in an efficient manner.  Rest assured, the man who
jumped to his death off that rooftop last night was the Midnight Monster.
 What did you find? Leona asked.
 Souvenirs of his kills, if you can believe it. And a written record, as well. Spellar sat down and picked
up a fork.  The son of a bitch  He broke off, reddening furiously.  My apologies, ladies.
Victoria waved an impatient hand.  Never mind, Detective. Please continue. We are all very anxious to
hear the outcome of your investigation.
Spellar cleared his throat.  As I was saying, the Monster kept tokens of each of his kills and a detailed
account of how he stalked each victim. His mouth twisted in disgust.  There was a button from one of
the women s dresses. A scarf from another poor girl, a ribbon from the third and a locket from the
fourth. All neatly displayed in a little chest next to their names.
Leona put down her fork, unable to finish her eggs.  You said there were four victims in all, Detective?
"Sara Jane Hansen, Margaret O Reilly, Bella Newport and Molly Stubton.
 What of the three who disappeared? Leona asked urgently.
 We still haven t found any bodies, Spellar said.  All I can tell you at this point is that there were no
souvenirs or accounts for those three. It s quite possible those disappearances were unrelated to this
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case. They don t fit the Monster s pattern.
Thaddeus contemplated that for a moment and then shook his head.  The tavern owner said that the third
woman, Annie Spence, described the man who was stalking her as elegantly dressed with pale blond
hair.
 Sounds like Lancing, Spellar agreed.  Perhaps he disposed of her body and those of the other two in a
different manner.
 As he did with Molly Stubton s body, Leona said.
Thaddeus s eyes tightened a little at the corners.  Lancing made it clear to me that killing Molly Stubton
was a task assigned to him by his employer. He enjoyed the business and tried to make her fit into his
pattern. But because he was following Delbridge s orders, he could not follow his usual routine. He
buried her in the woods because he was ordered to do so.
Victoria frowned.  Perhaps Delbridge also ordered him to get rid of the three girls who vanished in a
similar manner.
 Why would he do that? Leona asked.  It is clear that Molly Stubton had become a problem for
Delbridge. He wanted her out of the way. But why would he concern himself with a poor prostitute like
Annie Spence? She was the sort of woman the Monster stalked and killed for his own pleasure.
Spellar s broad shoulders rose and fell.  As I said, the three disappearances may not be related to this
case. We may never know what happened to Annie and the other two. They would certainly not be the
first poor girls to vanish without a trace from the streets of London. But at least we have gotten rid of the
Monster. Over the course of my career I have learned to celebrate what small victories come my way.
 What of Lord Delbridge? Victoria asked.  Did you find any proof that connects the Monster to him?
Spellar heaved a heavy sigh.  Not yet. They were acquainted, obviously. But Delbridge managed to
keep Lancing at arm s length socially. As far as I have been able to determine, the party the other night
was the first time Lancing was ever invited to the mansion.
 He was brought in to get rid of Molly Stubton, Thaddeus said.  Lancing probably demanded an
invitation to the party as his fee for the murder. He envied Delbridge s place in Society. Felt he had every
right to a similar position.
 Speaking of Lord Delbridge, Spellar said, patting his mouth with his napkin.  I went past the mansion
before coming here. I knew his lordship would never agree to an interview with me, but I thought it
wouldn t hurt to watch the place for a time, just to see if there was any interesting activity. I was curious
to see what he would do when he learned that the Monster was dead.
Leona glanced at Thaddeus. His expression remained impassive, but she got the message. He did not
want her to so much as even hint at their plans to search the Delbridge mansion. She understood.
Detective Spellar was the person who had quietly asked the Arcane Society to investigate the Midnight
Monster, but he could not afford to be seen condoning an illegal search of a gentleman s home. Such an
action would have been professional suicide. Better for all concerned if he remained blissfully uninformed.
 Did you note anything of interest at Delbridge s address? Thaddeus asked as though only mildly [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]