Page 84 of A Dangerous Vision

“I feared for Nell and Mrs. Earnsley. For anyone Lance knew who was connected to me. I was certain he would search for me.”

“I insisted she go,” Miss Mahoney said. “I wanted to find a way to help her hide, but I was having trouble letting her go. I felt I could protect her better if I knew where she was.”

Gideon drew his shoulders up and assessed Mrs. Devlin. He was, Electra sensed, attempting to determine what was true and what might be a performance to obscure her own culpability in Pennington’s death.

Electra didn’t think Mrs. Devlin was performing. Not anymore.

“Did you ever see a weapon on Lance Pennington?” he asked, tone even, despite the fact that both Mrs. Devlin and Miss Mahoney were both weeping now.

“No, but Lance had a penknife that he carried with him all the time. He liked to write with quills, you see.” Almost wistfully, she added, “His fingers were always stained with ink.”

“Describe the penknife.” Gideon had his pencil poised and Electra knew he meant to search for it at Mr. Pennington’s lodgings.

“Silver. Etched. I believe his name was engraved on the side.”

“Will you arrest him, Inspector?” Miss Mahoney asked.

Gideon rolled his head on his shoulders before facing the lady again. “I have no evidence, Miss Mahoney, beyond your sister’s recounting. But if I can find that penknife, or…” He slid his gaze to Electra. “Or find a way to compel Lance Pennington to tell the truth, then yes. I would arrest him.”

“I…could possibly compel him to tell the truth,” Mrs. Devlin whispered.

“No, I don't want you involved.”

Gideon gazed at Electra, almost hopefully.

“What is it?” she asked.

“Maybe there is a way for us to use your assistance, Mrs. Devlin.”

Miss Mahoney shot up off the settee. “I will not allow it. I do not want my sister anywhere near that man.”

Gideon lifted a conciliatory hand. “Without you having to be near him, Mrs. Devlin. We could speak to him. You say how devoted he is to you. If he believed that we were going to arrest you…”

Electra saw a spark in his gaze. The spark of a detective who knew the final piece of a case was within his reach.

“I will be sending a constable to take your formal statement, Mrs. Devlin, and to remain here with you until we’ve spoken to Mr. Pennington.”

“You won’t reveal that she’s in London, will you?” Miss Mahoney asked in a pleading tone.

“No, I have no intention of telling anyone where she is. If you've been safe here with your sister, Mrs. Devlin, then I suspect you will remain so.”

Electra let go of the lady’s hand, but it took a moment for Mrs. Devlin to release her hold.

“You believe me?” she whispered to Electra.

“I do.”

“I am not faultless. I am a harlot in the eyes of many, but I am not a killer.”

Chapter Seventeen

Night had fallen by the time they stepped out of the door on Charlotte Street. Gideon walked with Electra toward the cab stand on Goodge Street.

Even knowing what her reaction would be, Gideon found himself saying, “I think perhaps you should return to Russell Square while I speak to Pennington.”

Electra stopped him midstride with a hand on his arm. “No, I want to accompany you.”

And I want to protect you. He did not say the words, but she looked as if she could see them in his expression.