Page 29 of A Dangerous Vision

Darkness came again, and Electra realized she was holding Cordelia’s hand too tightly.

“Forgive me,” she whispered when she opened her eyes and released her.

Cordelia watched closely, looking fretful, but also curious. “What did you see?”

“How did your conversation with him end yesterday?” Electra asked.

Looking toward the fireplace, pointedly away from Electra, Cordelia furrowed her brow, settling back against the damask-covered settee.

“He was quite upset.” She twisted her hands together. “Did you see that in your mind?”

“I think I did.”

Cordelia glanced over with a sad smile. “You didn’t believe me then?”

“I…” Electra swallowed thickly. “I still don’t always trust what I see when I employ my abilities. But, of course, I trust you. You are my dearest friend.”

Cordelia wore a weak smile. “He was reluctant to let me go.”

Electra tipped her head. “You argued, I take it. I saw you push him away.”

Cordelia nodded. “Can you imagine the guilt I have felt that Kit ended his connection with that woman soon after he met her, and yet Percival continued to pursue me for months? All I want now is for Kit to come home again. For us to move forward.”

Electra could not stop her mind from churning over Gideon and what he would make of these details.

“I never wished any ill on Percival,” she said quietly before turning back to face Electra. “And nor did Kit. I’m sure of it.”

“Why did Kit speak to him?”

“He wished to resolve the matter.” With a tilt of her head, Cordelia reached out and smoothed her hand over the pillow at her side.

“Do you know the specifics of what occurred when they met?”

Biting her lip, Cordelia said quietly, “According to Kit, he told Percival never to speak to me again, never to write or visit.”

“But Mr. Pennington did not heed that request, did he?”

“No.”

Electra watched as her friend swallowed thickly, then pressed the back of her hand against her flushed cheek.

“Kit would never attack anyone, Electra, let alone kill a man. I know Kit. You know Kit.”

“I do, yes.” Electra met her gaze and tried for a reassuring smile.

Cordelia took up her cup of tea. “I’m frightened,” she whispered. “I’ll admit it.”

“Do you have any notion who might have done this to Mr. Pennington?”

Cordelia shook her head with an adamance Electra had never seen in her before. “I do not. I swear it. The father who wished to bring the breach-of-promise suit was angry with Percival, but he had met with him, and Percy gave me to understand there had been some arrangement reached between them.” She sounded exhausted, sapped by all she’d revealed.

“His name is Roderick Beecham,” she added, almost as an afterthought.

Such details would be significant to the investigation, surely.

Electra reached for the pendant underneath the top buttons of her gown. A necklace her mother had given her. It gave her comfort to feel its familiar shape under her fingertips.

“Gideon will, I’m sure, find out about Mr. Beecham and his daughter as he investigates Mr. Pennington’s circle of acquaintances.”