Crystal Gardens by Amanda Quick Page B

of business a long time ago. Your professional work also explains your daring and resourcefulness last night. It was obvious that you’ve had some experience keeping a cool head when confronting danger.”
    “I assure you that we rarely experience actual physical danger in the course of our work, sir,” Evangeline said. “Our employers take great care not to place us in such situations. We are not, after all, the police. Generally speaking, our clients are ladies who want discreet inquiries made into the character and finances of gentlemen who are attempting to become involved with a family’s finances.”
    Lucas’s eyes gleamed with icy understanding. “You expose fortune hunters.”
    “And those who are not above attempting to defraud widows and spinsters,” Clarissa added.
    “But you are correct, sir,” Beatrice said. “One way or another, the business of unmasking fortune hunters constitutes the majority of our commissions. More often than not we are asked to investigate the backgrounds of men who wish to marry either a young heiress or a widow with some money of her own to protect.”
    “How do you attract clients?” Lucas asked. “I can’t envision the firm advertising such services in the papers.”
    “Mrs. Flint and Mrs. Marsh acquire clients by referral,” Evangeline said.
    Lucas was clearly intrigued. “And their employees? How do they find unusual women such as the three of you?”
    “In the same way,” Beatrice said. “Word of mouth. Not everyone is suited to the work. It requires a certain … aptitude.”
    Lucas considered that with a thoughtful expression. “This aptitude for the work that you speak of. Would it by any chance include a measure of psychical talent?”
    Clarissa and Beatrice looked at Evangeline.
    “I did tell you that Mr. Sebastian takes the paranormal quite seriously,” she said. She looked at Lucas. “I have a question for you, sir. There were obvious reasons for not summoning the authorities last night. But sooner or later you must report the death. How do you intend to explain a dead man in your gardens to the police?”
    “There won’t be any need for explanations,” Lucas said. “Bodies don’t last long in Crystal Gardens.”

Eight

    L ucas watched the three women with great interest as they dealt with the news of how he had disposed of the body in the garden. Their shock was plain on their faces. Eyes widened, jaws dropped slightly, teacups froze in midair.
    Evangeline swallowed hard. But of the three she recovered first, most likely because she knew how Hobson had died, Lucas decided.
    “I see,” she said. “Well, I suppose there is no need to make a fuss over Hobson. He was trying to murder me, after all.”
    “My thoughts, precisely,” Lucas said.
    Clarissa got her mouth closed. She nodded, satisfied. “Under the circumstances it sounds like a very convenient way of handling the problem.”
    “I certainly thought so,” Lucas said.
    Beatrice eyed him with some suspicion. “Are you serious, Mr.Sebastian? You intend for Sharpy Hobson’s body to simply disappear into your gardens?”
    “Hobson won’t be the first to do so, Miss Lockwood. The deeper one goes into the Gardens, the more aggressive the plants become. In the maze and the Night Garden, nature works very swiftly, especially at night.”
    Clarissa looked interested at that information. “The time of day makes a difference?”
    “I have observed that paranormal energy of any sort is often enhanced by darkness,” Lucas said. “But the currents that emanate from the natural forces of the earth are invariably more powerful at night. My uncle’s theory is that sunlight interferes with the wavelengths at the far ends of the spectrum or, more likely, makes it difficult for those of us with some psychical ability to sense those currents.”
    “My father also came to the same conclusion,” Evangeline agreed.
    Lucas looked at her. You mentioned that your father had an interest in the science