The Apothecary's Poison (Glass and Steele #3)(33)

"I believe you solved the first of those, Miss Steele," Brockwell said, a hint of amusement in his voice. That only riled me more.

"There you go again, Detective, jumping to conclusions when you don't have all the information. Mr. Glass was very much involved in solving the case of the Dark Rider, but he allowed me to take the credit so I could claim the reward." I had the great satisfaction of seeing Brockwell look uncertain. "The sheriff wants you to think Matt is corrupt, and yet it is he who is corrupt. While that cannot be proved, it doesn't mean it's not true. Until such a time that it is proved, you ought to follow your commissioner's example and give Matt the benefit of the doubt. Now, kindly leave."

I strode to the door and stood by it, waiting for Brockwell. With a glance at Matt first, he joined me.

"My apologies for upsetting you, Miss Steele," he said with a short bow.

"It's not me you ought to be apologizing to."

He offered a tight smile but no apology to Matt. "The fact remains that you are hindering my investigation by speaking to one of my suspects."

"How is that hindering?" Matt asked. "In fact, if we compared answers, we might learn something."

Brockwell seemed to consider this but shook his head. "I'll do it on my own."

"There's no need to work alone. Together, we can find the murderer faster."

"I work perfectly well on my own, Mr. Glass. I haven't reached the rank of detective inspector by sharing my results with others."

What an arrogant man! And a fool, at that. I shook my head at Matt, wanting him to know that I thought it pointless to press Brockwell further.

"While I have Munro's authority to investigate, I will continue to question whomever I like," Matt said. "Is that clear?"

"Crystal," Brockwell bit off. "Good day, Miss Steele."

He marched past me and accepted his hat from Bristow. Willie and Duke stood guard by the open front door and watched him leave. Brockwell descended the steps slowly and passed the brougham, with Bryce in the driver's seat, waiting for us. Duke slammed the door closed.

"What did that turd want?" Willie asked.

"To tell me to stop investigating." To Bristow, Matt said, "My hat, please. India, our visit to the hospital will have to wait. I'm going to call upon Commissioner Munro."

"Alone?" I asked.

He nodded. "Duke, Willie, find Cyclops. I want the three of you to go in search of Sheriff Payne."

Duke and Willie exchanged glances. "Where do we start?" Duke asked.

"I have no idea." Matt slapped his hat on his head and pulled on his gloves and Bristow opened the door. Matt turned to me. His hard features relaxed somewhat.

"Are you sure you don't want me to come with you to speak to Munro?" I asked.

"It's not necessary. I don't think we'll get to the hospital at all today. Why not visit Miss Mason while I'm out?"

I watched him go then listened to Duke, Willie and Cyclops in the library as they planned their search for Payne. Matt had set them an impossible task, yet none whined, not even Willie. With my help, they drew up a list of hotels, but no one considered them a viable possibility. If Payne found himself in London for some time, he would have secured cheaper lodgings, perhaps in a private house. If that were the case, he'd be extremely difficult to find.

"Do you want me to help?" I asked.

"The three of us will be enough for today," Cyclops assured me. "You take the afternoon off, like Matt suggested. We can drive you to Miss Mason's, if you like, then continue on our way."

"I think it's wise if I stay away from the Masons for a little while. Could you drive me to the Cross Keys instead? I'd like to have a drink."

"You shouldn't go alone," Duke said. "All sorts find themselves in taverns."

"The Cross Keys is respectable enough, and it's the middle of the afternoon. Thank you for your concern, Duke, but I'll be fine."

Willie clamped her hand on my shoulder. "Good for you, India. I reckon it's a good idea."



I spent an hour at the Cross Keys, sitting in a booth and watching people come and go. No one bothered me. The man I knew as DuPont didn't enter, although I hadn't really held any hopes that he would. According to the innkeeper, who remembered me from my first visit, Chronos hadn't returned at all, and he restated his promise to notify Matt if he did.

I caught an omnibus back to Park Street, but it was slow progress thanks to the late afternoon traffic. Matt walked in soon after me. I told him where I'd been, and he told me how his meeting with Munro went.

"As well as can be expected," he said with a sigh. "He said he'll speak to Brockwell."

The clock on the library mantel chimed six. "I'd best get ready for dinner," I said. "Your aunt went up a half hour ago. The others should be back soon."

"Before you do." He reached into his inside jacket pocket and pulled out a small package. He handed it to me. "I went shopping after seeing Munro, and I bought you something to wear tonight."

I stared at the parcel wrapped in brown paper. "Why are you giving me gifts?"

"Can I not give my friend a gift from time to time?"

"No!"