“Indeed,” Martin went on, “that one of his men had coshed me unconscious won’t help Murchison’s cause.” He looked around the faces. “First thing tomorrow, I’ll go to the police station and lay a complaint. Once they haul Murchison in, we’ll see if he can solve the mystery of our unknown man’s identity.”
“I’ll go with you.” Sophy’s grandmother’s gaze had been resting on Sophy. Now, the old lady glanced at Martin. “I know the police commissioner well and will happily inform the local inspector of that.”
Martin inclined his head in ready acceptance. “That certainly won’t harm our chances.” He glanced at Sophy. “And your presence might help ensure Sophy’s name isn’t mentioned, at least not officially.” He paused, then added, “One would hope Vince Murchison is clever enough not to volunteer that he and his men targeted and seized the granddaughter of a local aristocrat, but if they do let that information fall, then having you along, Lady Bracknell, would be wise.”
“Indeed,” Julia fervently agreed.
Everyone but Sophy was unreservedly encouraging.
Oliver observed, “It’s something concrete we can do—a step forward we can take.”
On noting that everyone had finished with their desserts, her grandmother rose, bringing the rest of the table to their feet. “Gentlemen, will you remain here for brandy and port or accompany us ladies back to the drawing room?”
After glancing at each other, the men denied any wish for spirits, and as a group, they repaired to the drawing room. There, they resumed their seats, and the talk turned to what might occur at the police station the following morning.
“One thing you can bank on,” Charlie said, “is that the local constabulary will jump at any chance to haul in a Murchison, even if it’s just Vince rather than Walter.”
“Walter’s the older one and runs the outfit?” Oliver clarified.
Charlie nodded. “That’s the way it’s always worked in Sheffield. As far as I know, when it comes to thugs for hire, the Murchisons are the only group in town.” Charlie met Martin’s eyes. “That’s why the police are so keen to get their hands on something—anything—solid enough to remove the Murchisons from the local scene.”
Martin and Oliver asked several more questions about the Murchisons, then the door opened, and Higginbotham wheeled in the tea trolley.
Hector slipped into the room in Higginbotham’s wake. He waited, standing beside the door, while Higginbotham helped hand around the cups of tea Sophy’s grandmother poured. That done, Hector came forward.
Sophy—and everyone else—looked at him expectantly.
“Ladies. Gents.” Hector half bowed. “I’ve just had word from Portobello Street that the house is being watched by what Tom, the young footman, describes as ‘shifty characters lurking in the grounds of the church.’”
Julia looked disturbed, but before anyone could comment, Hector transferred his gaze to Martin and went on, “And Mr. Cynster’s man, Jiggs, is downstairs. He says the Kings Head is under surveillance as well, but he sneaked out and is confident he wasn’t seen and tracked here.”
“Well, well.” Oliver looked at Martin. “Whoever is behind this, they really are serious. Now they want not only Sophy but you as well.”
“So it seems.” Martin sounded unperturbed. He glanced at Sophy. “I think we can safely assume they’ll be keeping a close watch on the steelworks as well.” He looked at Charlie. “And no doubt, they’ll be looking for you, too.”
Charlie frowned. “They might not have seen me at the manor. I’m sure they didn’t follow me out there.”
Martin tipped his head in agreement. “They must have been following Sophy all along. It was she they were intent on kidnapping. You, they thought they already had on a hook, courtesy of your IOUs.”
“Well, that settles it,” Lady Bracknell declared. “You”—she looked at Sophy, then transferred her gaze to Martin—“and you must remain here rather than risk being found by these dreadful people. You can remain with me until this matter is resolved. Anywhere else is too dangerous.”
Anxiety plain in her face, Julia looked at Sophy. “I daresay this house is more secure…”
“Indeed, it is.” Lady Bracknell nodded emphatically. “I have more staff, and I will put them on alert—well, they already are, of course.” She looked from Sophy to Martin. “And as I don’t spend that much time in Sheffield these days, there’s really no reason these thugs would even know about this house, much less come looking for you here.”
Martin had to admit that was likely, and if him staying there would ensure that Sophy did, too, thus remaining within his protective reach… He met Lady Bracknell’s eyes. “Thank you, ma’am. I agree that Sophy and me staying here is likely the wisest choice.” He uncrossed his legs and rose. “I’ll have a word with Jiggs and have him fetch some of my things from the hotel.”
Higginbotham cleared his throat. “It might be best, sir, if one of our footmen returned with Mr. Jiggs and brought your bag here, rather than unnecessarily risk one of your men being seen heading this way.”
“Good thinking, Higginbotham!” Lady Bracknell waved the butler off. “Go and see to it, please.” She smiled at Martin. “The Kings Head is only a block or so away. Your things will be here in no time.”
Higginbotham bowed. “I’ll see that your bag is taken up to your room, sir.”
Martin nodded to Higginbotham, then half bowed to her ladyship. “Thank you, ma’am.” He resumed his seat on the sofa, beside Sophy, and looked at Charlie. “Speaking of the Kings Head being only a block away, heading for Sycamore Street might not be a wise move for you. Do you have anywhere safe you can stay?”
Various options were canvassed, and Charlie gratefully accepted an offer from Oliver to put him up in the second bedroom of the suite Oliver had taken at the King James Hotel in Campo Lane. “It’s in the opposite direction to the Kings Head,” Oliver pointed out, “so we should be safe enough.”
Sophy, meanwhile, had leaned across to speak with Julia; Martin caught enough of the exchange to realize Sophy was reassuring her aunt that, as she routinely kept clothes and accoutrements at her grandmother’s house, she needed nothing sent from Portobello Street. “Not for a few days’ stay.”
