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“Unfortunately, I didn’t, but I…”
When she said nothing more, he said quietly, “What is it?”
“You recall how I said I can sometimes perceive feelings as if they are a tangible shift in the air?”
“Yes. What did you sense with Archibald Kerrigan?”
“Rage. Directed at Nicholas Frye, I think. Or at least when he was mentioned.”
“He didn’t seem fond of Potter either.” Gideon stared forward, pensive. “And none of that gets us any closer to finding Miss Delacourt.” He shifted a bit closer. “But thank you. I am going to attempt to arrange a meeting with Detective Sergeant Hardy, and it will be worth telling him. Perhaps if he can solve Miss Collier’s murder, that answer will lead us to Miss Delacourt.”
He didn’t sound hopeful about that prospect, but Electra felt certain of it—the murder of Calliope Collier and the disappearance of Iris Delacourt were intimately connected.
Chapter Nine
Upon returning to Russell Square after their visit to Mr. Kerrigan, Electra learned that Cordelia was out dining with a friend. She had gone straight up to her room, sank onto her bed, and only removed her boots and freed the top buttons of her gown before lying down and taking a long nap. She’d underestimated just how tired she was. And when she woke, disoriented, surprised to see it was late in the evening, she went downstairs to find a note had been left for her by a messenger.
She opened it quickly.
“It came only about half an hour ago,” Cordelia called from the sitting room. “Come have a cup of tea with me.” She eyed Electra with a worried pinch between her brows. “Mrs. Hurst says you have not eaten. I can have her send something up.”
“Thank you. Just something light.”
Cordelia immediately stood and tugged the bell pull.
Mrs. Hurst appeared in the hallway soon after and Cordelia directed her to bring up a cold repast for Electra.
“It’s from Violet Delacourt,” Electra said as she entered the sitting room to join Cordelia.
“Oh?”
“She asks if I will call on her.” Electra glanced at the mantel clock. “Perhaps I should pay her a brief visit. I can feel her anxiety as I hold her note.”
“It’s quite late, Electra. Why not wait until morning?”
“Gideon and I have a matter to see to in the morning.”
“I can have one of the footmen take a message to her.”
Cordelia rang the bell again and a housemaid responded.
Electra explained that the message should be conveyed that she would call on Miss Violet Delacourt as soon as she was able to. She also passed on the Delacourts’ address.
“Ask Harry to go over and speak to the Delacourt butler,” Cordelia directed, “or whoever answers the door.”
“Yes, my lady.” The girl scurried off, and Mrs. Hurst appeared a moment later to set down a plate with cheese, sliced apple, and a square of seed cake.
Electra began to nibble on the meal as Cordelia poured tea, eyeing her every now and then. Electra knew she was going to be peppered with questions about the case, but this was expected with Cordelia. She was insatiably curious.
“The charity event went well. We raised more than expected during the raffle. Lady Mulberry won the sitting with you.”
“Forgive me, I should have asked,” Electra said after taking a sip of tea.
“Nonsense, you have more important matters filling your mind.”
“Who won a sitting with me?”
“Lady Mulberry. She was pleased as punch.”
