Page 31 of A Dangerous Vision

Callister led him into what seemed more study than drawing room. The walls were covered in a deep burgundy wallpaper, bookshelves lined one wall, and dark-wood furnishings were interspersed with velvet-covered settees and several leather wingbacks, all grouped together as if for discussion.

“You must wonder why I am answering my own door,” Callister said as he closed the room’s door behind them.

He laid his violin on a settee. Gideon noticed a folded newspaper on the velvet cushions too. Then Callister moved toward a drinks cart to prepare himself a glass of what looked to be brandy.

“Would you like one?” he tossed over his shoulder.

“No.” Gideon generally abstained from alcohol, hating how it dulled his mind. He recalled, as he was certain Electra did, how it had been more menace than solace to her father.

When Callister turned back, he coughed several times and lifted a hand to cover his mouth. “Forgive me,” he said, voice raspy. “Now you know why I greeted you myself. Sickness has spread through my staff and many of us have been abed for days, including my housekeeper, footman, and butler.”

He waved a hand in the direction of the front door. “The doctor has only just departed.” Callister pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and swiped at his nose. “I know why you’re here, Inspector.” His light-colored eyes compelled Gideon to hold his gaze. “My friend has fallen and in a most distasteful way. Have you found his killer?”

“No, Mr. Callister, but I will.”

There was a challenge in the way Callister assessed him, and Gideon found himself straightening his spine, squaring his shoulders in his expensive overcoat. He devoted a sizable portion of his wages to fashionable, tailored clothing for moments like these.

“I will hold you to that, Inspector.” Callister’s brows drew together, and he gestured to a pair of wingbacks that faced each other. “Shall we sit? I take it you have questions to put to me.”

Gideon removed his overcoat and hung it on the back of the chair, then he placed his bowler on top. Callister had not offered to take his hat as a servant would have.

Once they were both seated, the parliamentarian took a sip of his liquor, set the cut-crystal glass aside, and let out a rasping cough.

“You were a longtime friend of Percival Pennington, I understand.”

Callister’s sandy brows lifted. “Who have you been speaking to?”

“Mr. Pennington’s staff and family.” Gideon flipped his notebook open. “How would you characterize your connection to Mr. Pennington?”

“Much as you did, Inspector. We met at Oxford some twenty years ago and have been friends since the day we met. We’ve visited each other’s homes both here and in the country. Our families have spent holidays together. And we belong to the same club.”

“Only one? I’ve been told that you were both associated with two clubs.” Gideon watched as the man's face registered what seemed like half a dozen emotions in the space of a few seconds. Gideon could detect what looked like genuine shock. Remorse, perhaps? And then the gentleman schooled his features into something less expressive.

“I don’t know who would make such a claim.”

“Is it inaccurate?”

“Only one club. The other…is a place where gentlemen go to be entertained.”

“And the name of that establishment?”

Callister glared at him and then let out a shaky sigh. “You will dig for all of his secrets, won’t you?”

“I intend to find his killer, Mr. Callister. I must know him to find the person who would cut him down in the street.”

Flinching at that characterization, Callister reached for his liquor again.

“It is called the Rosebud Club,” he said in a ragged voice, then broke into another fit of coughing.

Gideon noted the name, recognizing that whoever Pennington met there went by the initials D. D., but instinct told him to hold that detail for now.

“I understand you were one of the last people to see Mr. Pennington yesterday evening.”

Callister flinched at that.

“His staff was told that he was dining with you last evening.”

“No, he did not, nor did we plan to do so. He did call here earlier in the day. I told him not to stay as I was still feeling rather rough.”