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“Nanette Lloyd, the former lead soprano of the company. But that’s not the worst part.”
Goodness, what could be worse than someone getting killed? Even if it was that horrible Nanette. Sophie did not wish death on anyone. She said a quick prayer for Nanette’s soul.
“What could be worse than someone being murdered, Elizabeth?”
“The inspectors have closed down the theatre. And they’re holding… Oh my goodness, it’s too terrible to even speak the words.”
“What? What is it?” Sophie’s nerves were on edge, and she resisted the urge to shake the information out of Elizabeth.
Elizabeth visibly shivered. “They’re holding Mr. Newland as their prime suspect in the murder.”
Sophie gulped. It could not possibly be true. But then…the notes she had received… Had they truly been from Zach after all?
She shook her head, banishing those unwanted thoughts. Zach was not a killer. The tenderness he had shown her, taking her virginity… But again, he liked to smack her. Did that mean he had a violent streak? But that didn’t make him
a murderer, did it?
Still, he had said that he and Nanette had argued last night, and that was why he was late getting to the estate…
No! Zach had been with her in her bed for nearly the entire night.
“That’s impossible.”
Elizabeth nodded. “We all think so too. But for now, we must pray that the inspectors find the truth so Mr. Newland can be let go.”
“Did they know what time the alleged murder took place?”
“From what I hear, sometime after midnight.”
Perfect. Sophie could give Zach an alibi. Of course, it would mean exposing the fact that he had been with her all night. But Zach’s innocence was more important than her reputation. She had to see the constables right away.
“Do excuse me, Elizabeth, but I have an errand I need to run. It’s of the utmost importance.”
“All right, Lady Sophie. Keep Mr. Newland in your prayers.”
“You can be certain that I will.”
Sophie spoke to the coachman quickly and told him where to take her. A few moments later, they arrived at the law enforcement headquarters.
As the coachman helped her down, Sophie said, “I’m afraid I don’t know how long I’ll be. I need to speak to someone in charge.”
“Not a worry, my lady. I’ll wait for you.”
“Many thanks.” Sophie curtsied and hurried in. It was a small building of red bricks, nothing like Scotland Yard in London. A uniformed officer sat behind a clerk’s desk, a frown on his face. Several other peelers milled about.
Sophie’s timidity set in, and her skin turned to ice. Now what? Was she truly ready to destroy her own reputation to save the man she loved?
Love. Zach might never love her back, but she could save him. Was it worth her reputation to do so? Yes, it was. She slowly approached the clerk’s desk and softly cleared her throat.
The young clerk looked up. “Yes, madam, may I help you?”
Sophie inhaled and let her breath out slowly. “It’s my lady, if you please. I am Lady Sophie MacIntyre, and I wish to speak to…whomever is in charge of arresting Mr. Zachary Newland.”
“Yep, Mr. Newland was just brought in. Got him in a holding cell at the moment.”
Sophie shivered. The thought of Zach being stuck in a tiny cell… Oh, she could not bear it. “You have made a terrible mistake.”
“I’m afraid the evidence we have against Mr. Newland is overwhelming.”
