Helena could see right through him and made a face. “Father will never come around, and we both know that. He stopped being a father to me the moment Mother was buried.”
“If it helps, I prefer when Father was cold and distant to me,” Greydon said. “He has been far too attentive as of late. He is demanding that I become acquainted with all of our accounts.”
“You poor thing,” Helena mocked. “What a burden you must bear.”
Greydon chuckled and it felt good to do so. “I have missed you, Sister.”
“I am only but across Town. You are always welcome in my home.”
“I thank you for that, and I will visit soon, I promise,” Greydon said.
Helena cocked her head. “What burdens are you bearing right now?” she asked. “You look more troubled than normal.”
Not taking offense, he replied, “No more than I usually am.”
“That did not answer my question.”
Greydon had always confided in his sister, but he didn’t dare speak of Lady Enid to her. He was worried if he did so that Helena would see right through him. And that was a risk he did not want to take.
With an expectant look, Helena asked, “Is this about your work as a Bow Street Runner?”
“It is,” he replied. That was partially true so he wasn’t technically lying to his sister.
“Do you wish to expand at all?” Helena prodded.
Greydon hesitated. He wasn’t quite sure how she would respond to the fact that he was looking into their brother’s murder. Should he keep that from her and protect her from the truth?
Helena shifted in her seat and said, “I know that look.”
“What look?” he asked innocently.
“You are trying to decide how much to reveal because of my delicate constitution,” Helena said. “But I assure you I am much tougher than I look.”
Greydon grinned. “I agree with that.”
“Now, out with it.”
His grin disappeared as he leaned forward in his seat and he rested his elbows on the desk. “I am looking into Phineas’ death.”
“Why would you do such a thing?” Helena asked. “The case is going to trial and everyone is saying that Lady Eugenie killed him.”
“I have some doubts.”
Helena lifted her brow. “You are trying to prove Lady Eugenie’s innocence?” she asked in disbelief. “She was standing over our brother’s body with blood on her hands.”
“That is true, but there were indications that another was at Phineas’ apartment.”
“Are you implying that she had an accomplice?” Helena asked.
Greydon knew how ridiculous he must sound to his sister, but he couldn’t in good conscience just ignore the things that he had seen. “Perhaps, but there are some things that don’t add up. And I just want to be sure Lady Eugenie is guilty before she gets a noose around her neck.”
“Why do you care so much?” Helena asked.
“I don’t care, per se, but I need to discover the truth,” Greydon replied.
Helena pressed her lips together. “You don’t owe Lady Eugenie anything. Why can’t you just let this go?”
“I’m afraid I am unable to do so.”
