Page 69 of Murder in Blackfriars

I wasn’t certain I’d reach the market stall at all tomorrow, but one should always be prepared for whatever contingency.

After Tess donned her coat and hat, I pulled her aside.

“Tess, I’d like you to tell Caleb that I know where Mr. Naismith’s abode is. Or where I think it is,” I amended. He could be using the home of a colleague, or he might have coerced the house’s owners into lending it to him.

Tess’s eyes widened. “Ye know where Naismith lives? Crikey. Tell me, so I’ll stay well away.”

“Barnsbury Square,” I answered. “In Islington. I’m not sure which house, but I’m certain Caleb could discover it. If he wants to move up in CID, this might be good information to present to his guvnors.”

“Except I don’t want my Caleb charging into a house with Naismith and all his nasty criminals in it,” Tess said adamantly. “That would end his life right quick.”

“Good heavens, I do not mean Caleb should rush in and try to arrest him,” I explained. “But he could have a butcher’s, couldn’t he? Organize a team to watch and catch Naismith in the act of something. In any case, I should like the police to know where such a dangerous spider sits.”

“True, be good information for them to have, if they don’t know it already. I’ll also ask him about what’s happened with the murder, as you asked me to. I haven’t had a chance to see him afore this.” Tess buttoned her coat and took up the basket with supplies for her preparations. “I’ll do as much as I can this afternoon at Mrs. Millburn’s, don’t you worry none.”

“Thank you, Tess. You are good to me.”

Tess’s worry lessened enough for her to give me a teasing look. “It’s your coins I’m good to. I like the extra cash.”

I laughed, if weakly, and sent her off.

I tried to turn to the daily baking, but after measuring the wrong amount of flour for bread and pouring in sugar in place of salt, I set aside my bowls and sat down to think.

The family had actually gone to chapel today, taking some of the maids and footmen with them, so it was very quiet. I opened my notebooks and went through all we’d learned about Mr. Banks, his connection to Mrs. Kerr, and the one to Mr. Draper and perhaps others who’d been taken in by Mrs. Kerr.

I also went over what Mr. Naismith had told me. What was this “enterprise” Naismith claimed Mr. Banks and Daniel had stumbled into? Something going on in Blackfriars, obviously, which was why I’d sent Albie and his mates to look into it for me.

Mr. Naismith had also said that Daniel could come to him without harm, as long as Daniel shut down this ring, or whatever it was, for him.

He is treading deep waters, with people who will kill him as soon as look at him, Naismith had said.

Did this mean Daniel was safer with Mr. Naismith at the moment? Possibly, for as long as Naismith thought it expedient. Once Daniel did as he asked—if Daniel could—would Mr. Naismith then simply kill him?

All scenarios led to Daniel’s demise, and this had me both numb and so agitated I could do very little in the way of my job.

Fortunately, I kept plenty of leftovers in the larder, so that I could reheat a chop and a panful of vegetables for the family’s lunch when they returned from Grosvenor Chapel. Only the bread needed to be fresh, but there were rolls leftover from breakfast, and Tess had baked another batch of scones before she’d departed.

I removed my apron and walked down the hall to the butler’s pantry.

“Mr. Davis,” I said after he barked a terseCometo my knock. “I must go out for a time. Will you make certain you or Elsie put the lunch, which is warm on the stove, into the dumbwaiter to go up in time? I will be back as soon as I’m able.”

Mr. Davis, in shirtsleeves, had been decanting wines for the week. He looked up at me from where he bent over his table, his eyes narrowing.

“Has this to do with McAdam?” he asked.

While Mr. Davis had softened slightly since his conversation with Daniel, he was still not yet comfortable with my new state.

I decided it would do me no good to lie. “It does.”

Mr. Davis straightened up in alarm. “Good Lord, you’re not eloping with him, are you?”

“Of course not,” I answered. “Though it is tempting, with the day I am having, to hie with him to France, or wherever it is people go when they are eloping, no. I need to assist him on something, that is all.”

Mr. Davis’s relief was palpable. “Thank heavens you still seem a sensible woman. Go, then. I’ll make certain luncheon is served if you do not return before then.”

“Thank you, Mr. Davis,” I said in true gratitude. “I will return the favor anytime you wish.”

“I will hold you to it, Mrs. Holloway.”