Page 76 of A Dangerous Vision

Miss Beecham rushed into the room and looked stricken at the sight of Electra. “Miss Poole. What are you doing here? You promised me your discretion.”

“I’ve said nothing, Miss Beecham,” Electra said quietly. “I assure you.”

“Then why are you here? And why is Detective Inspector Pierce here?” Her cheeks were flushed, blue eyes bright with tears. “I told you nothing that would require you to speak to him.”

Beecham had come around from his desk to comfort his daughter. He wrapped an arm around her. “Calm yourself, my girl.”

“I promise I've said nothing,” Electra insisted. She wanted to reach for the young woman and offer comfort herself. Miss Beecham vibrated with fear and anxiety.

“What is the meaning of this, Aurora?” Beecham asked gently. “Why are you so upset, dove?”

“I'm sorry, Father.”

“And for what do you apologize? You may interrupt me at any time, as you well know. Now what has unsettled you?”

Aurora Beecham all but collapsed in her father’s arms and sobbed. “I was frightened,” she said, then sniffed and lifted her head. “Afraid perhaps you had done some harm to Mr. Pennington. I know you would do anything to protect me. And you hated him for what he had done to me.”

She swiped at her tears and tipped a look back at Electra.

“Maybe I hated him a bit too,” the young lady admitted, “but I needed assurance that there was no danger of you being taken away from me.”

Beecham cupped her cheek and tilted her head until she looked up at him. “Listen to me, dove. I did no harm to Pennington.”

Aurora nodded eagerly. “I knew. In my heart of hearts, I knew. When I met Miss Poole… I had read about her ability to see what others cannot. To see the truth. But the moment I went to her, though she was very kind, I knew it was wrong to seek her out.”

She sniffed and smiled. “You are many things, Father, but never that. Can you forgive me for doubting you?”

Beecham nodded and wrapped her in his arms. “It is all right, Aurora.”

After a moment, Electra felt she needed to interrupt. “Miss Beecham,” she said softly, “you may wish to tell Inspector Pierce what you told me about your friend. The daughter of Mr. Eames.”

“Oh! Yes. Forgive me again, Father. But you did teach me that one should always have precise information. I checked with Junia about whether you’d dined at their home.”

Electra nodded at the girl encouragingly.

“And she confirmed that you were at their home dining with her father that night.” Miss Beecham cast an imploring look at Gideon. “He could not have done this, Inspector.”

Gideon dipped his head. “I still need to speak to Mr. Eames, but I appreciate you providing that detail, Miss Beecham.”

Electra gave Gideon a questioning look and his expression told her that he believed the interview was at an end.

“We appreciate your time. Mr. Beecham,” Electra said. “And Miss Beecham, it was a pleasure to meet you today.”

“And you, Miss Poole.”

They left the house, guided by the same footman who’d admitted them. The rain had started again, and Gideon shed his overcoat and held it above Electra's head to keep her dry.

“I should have brought an umbrella,” she said.

“Do you believe him?” Gideon asked.

“I do. I believed his daughter was genuinely frightened, and I don't think her fears were irrational, seeing as her father has a preoccupation with bladed weapons and hated Pennington. But Beecham seemed a very straightforward man.”

“I agree.” Gideon admitted. “I never sensed any deception on his part. Nor an ounce of fear. The man had full confidence in what he was telling us.”

Gideon waved down a hackney cab while Electra held his coat above her head, and when he’d found one, he offered his hand to help her climb inside.

“We need to speak to Mrs. Devlin,” she said once they were seated across from each other. “She was the last person I gave my card to. Perhaps she departed Russell Square and met with Pennington a few hours later?”