Page 49 of Murder in Blackfriars

Daniel was happy to have a long engagement, letting me take my time. Hence, I now had a fiancé.

I sent him a fond smile as I entered the flat, which bewildered him somewhat.

“Did you find Mr. Grimes?” I asked him. I removed sconesfrom my basket and deposited them on a clean plate Cynthia found for me.

I’d told James that Grace and I had thought we’d spied him Monday afternoon at the railway station, but Daniel shook his head.

“Wherever he’s gone, I don’t know,” he said. “Are you certain it was him?”

“Of course. Mr. Grimes is rather recognizable.”

“Large chap,” Mr. Thanos said as he eagerly took up a scone. He broke off a piece, scattering crumbs. “Long coat, old hat, strides along as though the world will move aside for him? And does, it looks like.”

“That’s him,” I said. “Has Daniel introduced you?”

“No.” Mr. Thanos gestured with the scone. “I see him out of the window, heading this way, I believe.”

Daniel raced past Mr. Thanos to the long front window and peered out. I joined him there. Sure enough, Mr. Grimes hastened along Regent Street, followed by a man I recognized and one I did not.

“Damn and blast,” Daniel muttered.

He turned away to open the door and hurtle down the stairs. I moved out to the stairwell, and Cynthia and Mr. Thanos came behind me.

I saw Daniel flying down the staircase, skimming around its bends, ignoring the beautifully carved and polished handrail. He reached the bottom just as Mr. Grimes, Mr. Fielding, and the unknown man walked inside.

I could not hear everything Daniel growled at Mr. Fielding, but a few curse words floated upward, followed by Mr. Grimes’s good-natured rumble.

The four of them climbed the stairs while Cynthia, Mr. Thanos, and I watched them come.

The man I didn’t know had gray hair poking from beneath a cloth cap and was in a threadbare woolen suit. He had a bulbous nose in a wrinkled face, blue eyes that were quite watery but clear, and wore a frown that said he wasn’t certain he wanted to be present.

I looked him over, and he returned my scrutiny with a scowl. He seemed familiar somehow, and I wondered if I’d seen him somewhere before, though I couldn’t be certain.

“Lady Cynthia.” Mr. Fielding removed his hat and nodded to her as he reached the upper landing. “Mr. Thanos. Mrs. Holloway. What a delightful gathering.”

Mr. Thanos had expressed a similar sentiment upon seeing me, but his had been genuine, while Mr. Fielding’s words, as usual, were tinged with irony.

Mr. Grimes sent me a large grin, ignoring Mr. Fielding’s sardonic tone and Daniel’s glower.

“Happy to see you, Mrs. Holloway,” Mr. Grimes said. “Sorry I couldn’t answer when I heard your daughter calling out to me in the station. Errol asked me to remain incognito, as they say.” He carefully pronounced every syllable of the long word.

“Quite all right, Mr. Grimes.” I gazed curiously at the stranger with them. No one was bothering to introduce him, though I knew full well who he must be. “Shall we go inside?”

“Ah, my manners.” Mr. Thanos gestured to the door. “Welcome, gentlemen. I hope we all fit into my front room. Mrs. Holloway has made the most delicious scones.”

So saying, he held the door for us to trundle back into the flat. Cynthia sent an amused glance at me as Mr. Thanos made certain we ladies entered first.

Once we were shut inside, I spoke before Daniel could. “This is Mr. Patterson?” I asked.

The man in question turned to me. “Everyone knows me, but I’ve never seen you lot before.”

“Apologies, sir,” Mr. Thanos said at once. “I am Elgin Thanos. May I present Lady Cynthia Shires and Mrs. Holloway.”

The man started, then peered at Cynthia and me in uncertainty. “Beg pardon, your ladyship, ma’am,” he said in somewhat more respectful tones.

“And Mr. McAdam,” Mr. Thanos continued.

Mr. Patterson switched his gaze to Daniel, his eyes flickering, and then he turned abruptly from him and shook his head.