Page 64 of The Viscount of Shadows

Chapter 22

When Claudia awoke from her nap, she was assisted by the baroness into Oliver’s room and into a wing chair placed by his bed. Lady Addington put a wool blanket across her lap. Also in the room was Detective Simpson and Oliver’s cousin, Rett Wollstonecraft. They sat at a small table facing them.

“I will leave you alone. Claudia, I will see to your luncheon,” Lady Corinne smiled.

“Thank you, my lady.”

The Baroness and Detective Simpson locked glances. Claudia surmised a mutual interest since they gazed at each other longer than was polite. How interesting.

Once the baroness closed the door, Oliver began his narrative, starting with coming to her assistance and taking refuge in the underground cache. Claudia picked up the story, explaining her plan and how Danaher had found her and brought her to one of his hideouts. How the police arrived, her brief knife fight with his son, and the fact he would have a recent scar on his face.

Detective Simpson took notes. “Unfortunately, Danaher was not among those arrested, nor is anyone matching the description of his son. You said the son’s name is Cillian?” Claudia nodded. “Can you describe the other men in the room, Miss Ellingford?”

“One was tall, thin, with sparse black hair. Danaher called him Birch. The other one he called Shorty. He is of small stature, no more than four or five inches over five feet, with longish brown hair to the collar. His left cheek is covered in pockmarks.”

“I believe we have Shorty in custody. Good. A place to start,” Detective Simpson stated.

Oliver’s cousin, Rett, told of his doings in watching Bryan Wollstonecraft.

“Which brings us to a suggestion I heartily agree with,” Oliver interjected. “I would like it if you joined our group.”

The detective cocked an eyebrow. “The Rakes of St. Regent’s Park? Why?”

“Your brother runs it—”

“Half-brother,” Simpson interrupted.

“But a brother, nonetheless,” Oliver stated firmly. “The club is a brotherhood of sorts, and we do good works.”

“And you wish to have a copper in the assembly? I have no wealth or title, and everyone within your membership has one or the other or both.”

“Then it is high time that changed,” Rett declared. “I put your name forward to Oliver, why not, indeed? Yes, it is to the club’s advantage to have a member of the police, not that we would do anything that would require you to hush anything up. But you know of Oliver’s alter ego and could assist in protecting him. Plus, Oliver speaks highly of you.”

“I know Damon will be pleased,” Oliver added.

“And Olivia,” Claudia stated. “When we met for shopping and tea, she mentioned how thrilled she was to find an older and a younger brother. She particularly wishes to know you better.”

“Admit it,” Oliver smiled. “You like us. You also want siblings, or why else attend Damon and Althea’s engagement party?”

The detective grumbled, then shrugged. “I will think about it. I assume there is a reason you wish me to join beyond what you have mentioned.”

“There is,” Rett replied. “It concerns Oliver’s younger brother, the one I followed.” Rett relayed the plan.

The detective frowned. “If this is why you wish for me to join your enclave, then I pass. The police are not to be used as your personal revenge squad. As it is, I have no legal leg to stand on to keep Danaher’s men in prison. The inspector accepted my explanation of a crime deterrent, but I must release them in two days. Except this Shorty, and I will need a formal report on record with you, Miss Ellingford.”

“Please, call me Claudia. And I will lodge a formal complaint. Shorty was in the room when Danaher kept me against my will. The henchman tried to impede my escape.” She gave the detective a warm smile. “I understand your hesitancy to assist with the extraction plan, but do not let that stop you from joining the group—Mitchell.”

The detective growled low in his throat. “I will consider the proposal. But leave me out of your schemes. Now, tell me everything again, Claudia. When I return to the station, I will inform the inspector I have just cause to keep this Shorty person for further interrogation with the possibility of charges.”

“I will tell you this: Shorty is frightened of Danaher, and he will never reveal his rookery boss’s whereabouts,” Claudia said. “If he even knows.”

“Maybe. But the prospect of serving time in Newgate Prison can loosen tongues,” Mitchell replied.

“Here is something else you should know about Danaher. When I lived in Notting Dale, I heard him mention to my mother he had one or two coppers that fed him information. Policemen from the Lancaster station. Does he still? I would not be surprised. You may want to be careful in your dealings and keep important information to yourself or a few trusted men.”

Mitchell snorted. “I haven’t been there long enough to figure out who to fully trust or not, but I will heed your warning.”

After Claudia repeated what occurred in the shack, Mitchell tucked his notebook away and stood. “You are correct. I want siblings and a brotherhood, I suppose. But I will say again, leave me out of your legal gray area machinations. Understand?” Mitchell stated this matter-of-factly, not gruffly.