“You were being serious,” he said and stared at the vial and supplies on the table at Reginald’s knee.
“I don’t handle reality well,” Reginald explained as he rolled down his sleeve and fixed the cuff. His lips curved mischievously at Paul. “Even when it’s…not.” His gaze swept the walls and the ceiling and Reginald marveled at how real the room around him looked, even as it was softened by the haze of drugs. Paul threw Lavender a worried look.
“Should we send for a doctor?”
“He says he prefers to be in this state,” Lavender said as he rose and went to pace by the fireplace, commanding control of the room. Reginald hummed dreamily as he fell back into his seat.
“And now I can work,” he declared as he kicked his legs over the arm and crossed his ankles. “Let’s see what we’ve learned tonight,” he said. Lavender nodded and his focus stretched as he stared at the pattern on the carpet. Paul went to the sideboard and poured himself a drink and appeared thoughtful as well.
“We stayed close to Lord and Lady Coonan as the party broke up,” Lavender began. “She was familiar with the girl, Mary Eldon, and knew her mother,” he said. Paul pointed his glass at Lavender in agreement.
“Several people said the Eldons were friendly with the Coonans,” he said.
“Good…” Reginald murmured. “Let’s focus on how she might be related to Lord Winterstone or Sir Francis,” he suggested. Paul hissed as he ran a hand through his hair, making Reginald’s fingers tingle as he longed to touch it himself.
“I don’t like making assumptions and finding facts to fit them,” Paul scolded. “I was sent to find out who murdered Lady Carrick. I haven’t had much luck since I arrived but what you’re suggesting is slapdash and you can’t be sure you’ll find the right man,” he added and Reginald held up a finger.
“Not if I happen to have relevant facts in my possession that point to Lord Winterstone and Sir Francis,” Reginald countered. Clearly, it had to be Lord Winterstone and Sir Francis. Everything about their presence from their ages to their occupations had significance, so it wouldn’t make sense if the killer was horny Lord Carmichael. “The young women were Irish and Catholic. How much do you want to bet that Winterstone or Sir Francis were on hand when each of them were murdered,” Reginald said and Lavender gasped at him.
“Lady Coonan did say that Lady Eldon arrived just ahead of Lord Winterstone’s party and that Sir Francis seemed eager to be introduced.”
“Did Lady Coonan say if she made the introduction?” Reginald asked Lavender and his eyes widened.
“No. She said that Lady Mary appeared to be avoiding Sir Francis and excused herself. That was the last time Lady Coonan remembers seeing Lady Mary. Lady Coonan said that she had reminded Sir Francis that he and Lord Winterstone knew Lady Eldon’s mother, Lady Katherine,” he added heavily. That got Paul’s attention.
“So Sir Francis was eager to talk to Lady Mary.” His tongue pushed against the inside of his cheek as he eyed Lavender, debating before he snorted. “I can’t help but notice that Lady Mary isn’t the first Eldon we’ve encountered. I was hired by a man named Mr. Jack Eldon to find his daughter’s murderer. Lady Bridget Carrick’s maiden name was Eldon,” Paul said and Reginald felt a kick of adrenaline.
“That’s it! It’s the Mystery of the Many Eldons!” Reginald realized and sat up straight.
“You’ve encountered several Eldons as well?” Lavender asked.
“I have and that’s why this is so bloody brilliant!” Reginald whispered excitedly. “This is how he hid for all those years. It was a shell game and so is this! And now I know how we’ll catch the killer.”
“Who hid?” Paul asked as he came around the sofa.
“Sit down and I’ll tell you a story about a man named Eldon Speed,” Reginald said.
It took a while to parse out the bits that Paul and Lavender would understand but Reginald was able to weave a tale of unimaginable tragedy and the slowest, coldest dish of revenge either of them had ever heard. Reginald explained how Speed had used six Westie victims to hide his identity and a motive for murder.
“I’m willing to bet that whoever’s killing these girls is doing the same thing. And that’s why their rosaries were taken, to make it seem like this is about their faith or where they’re from. The rosaries are vital, just like Lois’s was to Speed and Mickey Winterstone,” Reginald said and was pleased with himself as he stood and let out a very loud, suggestive yawn.
“And you think these rosaries are somehow connected to this Lois Mara,” Lavender confirmed.
“I know they are and that’s how we’ll figure out which Eldon is hiding the true motive. The rest are meant to distract and confuse but the Eldon connected to Lois Mara will lead us to Lord Winterstone,” Reginald predicted.
Lavender checked his watch and swore. “I still have questions but I should be going. I don’t like the thought of leaving you alone. You could be in danger if it turns out you’re right and Lord Winterstone and Sir Francis are involved in this.” He threw Paul a questioning look and he waved for Lavender to go ahead.
“There isn’t a chance I’m letting Marston out of my sight. I can’t tell if he’s mad or a genius but I haven’t had a scrap of useful information since I stepped foot in London until he turned up. I’ll send word to the Commissioner tonight and see if all the victims are related to an Eldon.”
“Excellent!” Reginald declared and ushered Lavender toward the door. “Come back bright and early and we’ll begin the hunt for an Eldon connected to a Lois Mara. That’s how we’ll find our killer and it’ll be Lord Winterstone,” he promised. Lavender and Paul still looked somewhat dubious. Reginald threw up his hands, impatient to see Lavender out so he could have Paul to himself. “Lord Winterstone wanted that rosary back because it ties him to Lois Mara. Sir Francis killed the Eldon who took it from Lord Winterstone and used the other girls to hide his motive. No one would focus on why one girl was murdered over a rosary if the assumption is that all six were chosen simply because they were Irish or because they were carrying them.”
“Good God, Marston.” Lavender laughed as Gates helped him into his overcoat. “Utter nonsense, and yet, utterly plausible.” He wound a scarf around his neck and paused before he put on his top hat. “You know…” He beat the brim against a gloved palm and leaned toward Paul. “One never knows, from one moment to the next, whether he should be under a physician’s care. But, I find myself believing him, even though I know he can’t be telling the truth. It’s absolutely maddening,” he said, then bowed gracefully at Gates before donning his hat. “I’ll see you gentlemen bright and early,” he added with a wink at Reginald and showed himself out.
“Goodnight, sir,” Reginald said as he waved, once again confusing Paul and Gates. “So you’re staying the night?” Reginald asked and clapped excitedly. He gave Paul’s sleeve a playful tug but he slapped Reginald’s hand.
“Only because you’ve got some interesting theories that might help me catch this murderer. I think that puts you in a lot of danger but I’m not sharing a bed with you. In fact, I’ll take a chair in the hall,” he added, crushing Reginald’s hopes.
“I’ll be happy to move one for you, sir,” Gates said, then hurried up the staircase.
“A chair in the hall?” Reginald complained. His lip pushed out but Paul smiled as he stepped past Reginald and headed up the stairs. “You’d be more comfortable in my bed.”
“I’m not all that concerned with comfort at the moment.”
“Fine. You’d get laid if you spent the night in my bed.”
“Not too concerned with that either,” Paul said then swore when he reached the top of the stairs. “Let me give you a hand with that, Gates!”
Reginald glared at Paul’s back as he climbed the steps and prepared for a long and uneventful night.
“So much for Dreamland. I’m stuck in a nightmare.”