Page 87 of Redemption

Chapter 19

“Why did you choose to address this yourself, Miss Bennett instead of calling on Scotland Yard to investigate the matter?” The inspector’s voice held a note of censure as he wrote something down on the small note card he held. Rhea eyed him coldly, and the man frowned slightly as he looked up to meet her gaze.

“Exactly how many complaints a month on matters such as this do you receive, Inspector Graves, and how many are followed up on quickly?” At her question, the man had the good grace to flush beneath his swarthy features.

“I can assure you Miss Bennett, every request Scotland Yard receives for assistance is acted upon,” the man replied with a touch of umbrage.

“I don’t doubt that, inspector, but it wouldn’t have helped Fanny, would it? By the time Scotland Yard investigated the matter, Fanny would have been forced into prostitution. A child not yet ten.”

Rhea glared at the man seated across from her. The inspector’s affronted expression had collapsed into chagrin. The man cleared his throat and nodded.

“You’re right, Miss Bennett, it would have been too late for the child, but you cannot deny you put yourself in harm’s way.”

“Inspector Graves, I was sold to Ruckley by my father shortly before my nineteenth birthday. I knew what Fanny would endure, and I refused to let that happen to a child.”

Rhea closed her eyes for a brief moment as she realized she wasn’t being completely honest. She’d gone to the Bull and Hare with the intent to murder Ruckley. In the end it had been self-defense, but her motives were not completely pure. She’d plotted to kill a man, another human being. No matter how vile, debauched, and evil Ruckley had been, planning his death had been wrong. It made her no less callous than the man himself. But she wasn’t sorry for it. She refused to feel guilty for an act she performed in self-defense. She opened her eyes again to meet the inspector’s chagrined and sympathetic gaze.

“I apologize, Miss Bennett, I’d not been made aware of this aspect to the case,” Graves said quietly. “I understand why you felt the need to go to the child’s aid. Nonetheless, the end result could have been far more calamitous than it was. But as it is, two criminals are dead, and you’re safe.”

“Thank you, is there anything else you need to know?”

“Just a couple more questions,” Graves said as his gaze skimmed his notes. “I was informed by several witnesses at the tavern that you went willingly with Mr. Ruckley to his rooms. Is that correct?”

“Yes.” Rhea didn’t expand on her answer as she tried to breathe, frightened as to where the inspector’s questioning was headed.

“Why would you do that, Miss Bennett? According to the witnesses, the children were escorted out of the tavern before you went to Mr. Ruckley’s rooms,” the inspector said in a curious tone that held just the hint of foreboding. Rhea met his probing gaze and her mouth went dry.

“Because…because Ruckley…”

“Because the bastard didn’t ask for money. He demanded something of Miss Bennett that no gentleman would ever ask of a lady.”

Rhea jumped as Percy answered the inspector’s question in a freezing tone that made the man scramble to his feet in a manner that illustrated his discomfort. As the man met Percy’s gaze, the inspector bowed slightly.

“Mr. Rockwood.”

“I thought I told you not to interview Miss Bennett until after her physician gave his approval to do so.” Percy’s expression was harsh with anger, and the inspector cleared his throat as his discomfort grew.

“I summoned Inspector Graves,” she said quietly as she met Percy’s gaze. “He was attempting to understand why I would go willingly with Ruckley,” she said as she looked at the inspector. “Is there anything else you wish to ask?”

“Actually….well…there is the matter of the Derringer we found at the scene,” Inspector Graves said as he cleared his throat again. “We…ah…that is to say…was the weapon yours, miss?”

“Yes,” she said with a nod.

“Rhea—” The warning note in Percy’s voice made her wave him into silence.

“I lived under Ruckley’s control for more than seven years, Inspector Graves. I knew what kind of man he was, and that he might attempt to renege on our arrangement, which he in fact did,” Rhea flinched as she remembered seeing Edgar when she entered Ruckley’s room. “Edgar’s presence was never a part of our bargain.”

“That’s quite enough,” Percy bit out in a low, menacing voice. “I think you have more than enough information to close this case, Inspector Graves. Miss Bennett is the injured party here, not Ruckley who attacked her with a switchblade, or the boy who tried to strangle her.”

Rhea’s hand went to her throat where the markings of Edgar’s attempt to kill her were still clearly visible. At Percy’s icy words, the inspector turned his head and grimaced as he looked at Rhea’s neck. With a bob of his head, Graves bowed in her direction.

“Mr. Rockwood is correct, Miss Bennett. I apologize for my curiosity.” The man’s words sent a bolt of relief skimming through her veins.

“Your line of questioning is understandable,” she murmured. “But I assure you most emphatically that my actions were solely in self-defense. A position I believe is emphasized by my state of dishabille when Mr. Rockwood found me.”

“A quite valid point” Inspector Graves said as if he’d not considered that fact before. Rhea pushed the thin shawl she wore off her shoulders and rose to her feet.

“Then if you have nothing further…” As her voice trailed off, the inspector shook his head.