Liam arched a brow, glancing significantly at the walls around them. Mr. Noonan waved his hand, dismissively. He went on. “Like Lord Willowdale’s quarters, this particular room cannot be eavesdropped upon from the tunnels, Mr. Carter. We can speak freely here and not be overheard.”
“Then how may I be of service, My Lord, Miss Miller?” Liam asked, inclining his head to Mr. Noonan.
“We need your knowledge of the staff,” Lord Willowdale explained. “You were raised in this house even as Miss Miller and I were. You know every part of it, both in and out, and in the walls. So we would like your input as to how best to catch this rat before he can harm either of us again.”
Liam carefully kept his eyes on Lord Willowdale and dared not glance toward Thea. “Of course. I will do whatever I can to help, My Lord.”
“Put yourself in this killer’s place, Mr. Carter,” Lord Willowdale said, leaning forward, his pale eyes intent. “You are in the tunnels, listening to all the plans Miss Miller and I lay. What would you do?”
“Be a hunter,” Liam replied without thinking. “Wait for my prey to be cut off from the herd.”
“But is that not what he has been doing?”
“Yes and no, My Lord,” Liam corrected. “He did exactly that when it came to Miss Miller. Waited until she had only two footmen with her. As we all look alike, he had no idea which of us might be armed. Yet, in your case, he only did it twice – when he shot your horse and when he shot you. The other times he tried to kill you within your own home, close to help.”
“Lord Willowdale frowned. “Go on.”
“I believe he is an amateur at best,” Liam said with a careful glance toward Thea. “Hardly a professional, as any experienced murderer for hire would not need four times to kill you. My Lord, had this scoundrel been a true killer, you would be dead now. As would Miss Miller.”
“You have made an excellent point. Pray continue.”
“If you wish to catch him,” Liam continued, feeling Thea’s eyes on him though he gazed at Lord Willowdale, “you should perhaps put yourself in a situation where you will be alone.”
“Like going out for a ride.”
“Yes. Now I believe we can safely presume he does not have a horse, as it would have been discovered by now. Miss Miller only walked her horse, making it easy for him to keep up, watching her from the hills until he chose his best place to ambush her.”
Mr. Noonan cleared his throat. “But Lord Willowdale would not be expected to ride out at a walk, Mr. Carter.”
“That is quite true, Mr. Noonan,” Liam agreed. “That in itself would be suspicious. Even so, if he were to talk of riding out alone, it may tempt our villain to try to kill him. However, I do not recommend that we lay our trap that way.”
“Why not?” Thea asked.
“Miss Miller,” Liam replied, wishing she did not have to appear so blank-faced, “there are too many variables involved with using Lord Willowdale on horseback as bait. You, I apologize for saying this, are more vulnerable while riding. Your lack of, um, skills, are well known.”
Thea nodded, her lips smiling ruefully. “Thus the first time my brother was shot at was made easier due to our slower pace.”
Liam nodded. “And the second time, Lord Willowdale was on his way home, in a predictable spot when the assassin shot him.”
“I think I know what you mean now,” Lord Willowdale said thoughtfully. “If I were to ride out alone, we have no true way to have him in the right place where we can spring a trap.”
Liam nodded. “Precisely, My Lord. However, it is my thinking that you begin a routine of some fashion in which you are alone, and everyone in the house knows you are not to be disturbed.”
“My study?”
Liam glanced at Mr. Noonan, who frowned, thinking. “My Lord, that room is not big enough to conceal men enough to overwhelm this scoundrel.”
“That is true.”
“The library?” Thea suggested.
Again Mr. Noonan shook his head. “That is a nice thought, Miss Miller, but there are too few hiding places for enough men to capture him.”
“Perhaps the garden, My Lord,” Liam said, glancing between his superiors. “Plenty of room to conceal men. Perhaps you are taking an hour every morning or afternoon for quiet contemplation or reading a book.”
“That is a good idea,” Lord Willowdale agreed. “However, that would also appear quite obvious we are trying to lure him out.”
“Unless he is growing desperate, Freddie,” Thea said, her tone more animated than it had been. “As Mr. Carter said, he is hardly a skilled professional at this. I have no doubt someone employed him to kill you, us, and that person may be growing impatient at this villain’s lack of success.”
