Page 89 of Murder in Blackfriars

Mr. Naismith studied me for a very long time from his wintry eyes, and I was suddenly glad Mr. Fielding had given me the knife.

Naismith transferred his gaze to Daniel, as though expecting Daniel to apologize for my impertinence, but Daniel only regarded him calmly.

“Will you answer her?” Daniel asked his old enemy. “She has taken a liking to Mr. Banks and is not happy that someone murdered him.”

Mr. Naismith returned his cold scrutiny to me. “Then I regret her grief.” He raised his thin shoulders. “If a man in my employ became exuberant and killed Mr. Banks for coming too close to something that interested me, then I apologize. He will answer for it.”

“If he only did your bidding, he is as blameless as Mr. Banks,” I said, my nervousness making me sharp. “Well, not entirely,because he did a terrible thing, but you ought to give him to the police, not punish him for obeying your orders.”

Mr. Naismith rested his hands at his sides, and I wondered if he’d tucked a firearm or other weapon under the upholstery, within easy reach. “What makes you believe you can enter my house and give me orders?”

“Because you are a horrible man,” I said decidedly. “Cruel. It is a wonder you can sleep through the night.”

His eyelids twitched the slightest bit. “You do not know me well, so I will forgive your ignorance.”

“She is not wrong,” Mr. Fielding broke in. “I was very fond of Nathaniel Carter. He was a villain and a kind man at the same time.”

“As I told McAdam, I had nothing to do with his death,” Mr. Naismith said. “You want to speak to a man called Galbraith, who pretty much runs South London. For now, at least.”

Mr. Fielding held him with a furious stare. “Pushing your crimes onto others again, are you? I saw your bullyboys that night, igniting sticks and throwing them in through the windows, ensuring that house went up in a blaze.”

“Yes,” Mr. Naismith said without remorse. “Carter was my enemy. Though I did not kill him or call for his death, it was better that his entire empire be wiped out than Galbraith take it over. Carter had an arsenal in his house. I did not want it used against me.”

Mr. Fielding drew a breath, his face harder than I’d ever seen it. “Such a good reason for destroying my home.”

“You were boys.” Mr. Naismith’s voice strengthened. “Carter wasn’t anything to you, and you weren’t to him, except to do his bidding. He disguised it with friendliness, but he was as much a criminal as I am. I am simply not the liar he was.”

“Mr. Fielding and Mr. McAdam are not fools,” I broke in.“And I doubt they were such when they were lads. They know the difference between a man who has no heart and a man who does. As do I.” I bathed him with one final scornful gaze. “I am finished with you. Good day, Mr. Naismith.”

Without waiting for his reply, or for Daniel or Mr. Fielding to stop me, I turned and marched for the door.

No one prevented me. I sailed out into the beautiful gallery and went down the stairs with as much dignity as I could muster.

I was shaking all over when I reached the front door, opened by the same tough who’d admitted us. He looked at me in curiosity this time, instead of with a dead-eyed lack of interest.

Lewis straightened from where he leaned against the high wheel of the hansom and unfolded his arms. He handed me into the cab, then climbed to his perch, just as the front door opened once again to disgorge Mr. Fielding and Daniel.

“About time, guv,” Lewis growled down at them. “The man’s bullies have been eyeing me like the next pig to take to slaughter.”

Mr. Fielding huffed a laugh as he climbed in beside me. Daniel gave Lewis the direction of Mount Street and slid in on my other side.

“Can you imagine why I wanted you to stay in the cab?” Daniel asked me as we started, but he sounded cheerful, not admonishing.

“You are an incredibly brave woman,” Mr. Fielding said in admiration. “And a fine, bold one. I’d kiss you, but you are engaged to my brother, who would strongly object.”

“Please do not, Mr. Fielding,” I said in some alarm. “I admit, I let my tongue get away from me, but I do not regret a word. That man deserved a scolding.” I settled back with a shudder, my own daring leaving me cold.

“And then to turn your back on him and walk away,” Mr. Fielding crowed. “A well-performed exit, worthy of the stage. Did you rehearse it?”

“Don’t be silly. I had said all I had to say, and I thought I’d better leave before he grew too incensed.” I leaned against Daniel’s warm shoulder. “That and I saw out the window that the police were arriving. I distracted Mr. Naismith nicely from that, do you not think?”

They came at us around the corner of Barnsbury Square, several police vans pulled by sturdy horses, passing us to halt in front of Mr. Naismith’s house. Inspector McGregor climbed out of one that poured forth constables, and Sergeant Scott emerged from the other.

Mr. Fielding burst out laughing, while Daniel looked satisfied.

“Ramsay must have finally peached about who cut him,” Daniel said. “He must have known Naismith had Banks killed, and Naismith was trying to tie up a loose end. I’ll wager Scott pried the truth out of Ramsay. Good man.”

Inspector McGregor caught sight of the hansom before we rounded the corner. His face grew scarlet with fury, and he opened his mouth to shout.