Die I Will Not by S. K. Rizzolo Page A

were meager at best: letters with cryptic references to some nameless woman dead nearly twenty years; attempted murder that had been concealed; and pursuers following either him, Penelope, or the both of them. Perhaps his attendance at Rex’s rout-party had sparked the interest of these pursuers, or the interest stemmed from her relationship to Eustace Sandford, the former Collatinus. His worry increased. “This business has a nasty smell, Mrs. Wolfe. Until we get to the bottom of it, you must watch yourself.”
    â€œI don’t understand. Are we being shadowed because of the Collatinus letters?”
    â€œI had entertained the possibility.”
    â€œThere was something in the way Mr. Rex spoke to me last night,” she said unhappily. “It occurred to me that he might believe me capable of writing these letters.”
    â€œThe idea may have occurred to any number of people, assuming they know who your father is.”
    A new, even more disturbing thought seemed to present itself, for she went pale, twisting her hands in her lap. “Could it be—”
    Chase found he very much disliked that particular expression on Penelope Wolfe’s face. “What is it?”
    â€œLast night I saw a man. Sarah had run outside. I found her there when I arrived home. This man was standing over her, as if he happened to be passing by and chanced upon her. The whole thing seemed strange somehow.”
    â€œWhy didn’t you tell me this before? Did he frighten or hurt her?”
    â€œNo, she was perfectly fine. I picked her up and brought her inside. I thought little of it. I suppose I had other things to think about last night. But now—”
    He listened while she stumbled through a description of the incident. When she had finished, he said, aware of sounding terse and unfeeling, “Keep the child close. Warn your servants to be on guard for anything out of the common, and tell your husband about the lurkers and your connection to the Collatinus matter. He will take steps to ensure your safety.”
    She looked stricken. “Yes, I should have told him before. And you, Mr. Chase? How do you intend to get more information about Dryden Leach? His assailant may be Collatinus or lead us to him.”
    â€œI’ve sent a message to Noah Packet.”
    â€œYou mean the little man you introduced me to in the street when I attended the St. Catherine procession. The thief?”
    â€œAye, but a useful one.” He smiled at her disapproval.
    â€œWhat will you do?”
    The answer seemed obvious: he would trace a few lines and hope to reveal the design. “I shall find the masked man.”
    â€œI own I find it all rather perplexing. The blood on the carpet suggests Mr. Leach was attacked, and Mr. Rex admitted as much to me. He claimed there were reasons why the attack must remain a secret for the present. That would explain Leach’s supposed illness and the two conflicting versions of events. But the whole thing seems unlikely, almost a Gothic tale. Why are there no witnesses? Why did no one report the crime to the authorities?”
    â€œUnlikely, I agree. You are certain the source of the story was Mrs. Leach herself?”
    â€œMr. Rex received a note from the surgeon called to the wounded man, but surely it must have been Mrs. Leach who summoned this surgeon? Her husband would have told her about the masked man.”
    â€œDon’t worry. I’ll ask her.” Anticipating the next words out of her mouth, Chase added, “That is, after I’ve escorted you safely home.”

Chapter VII
    Not far from the office of the London Daily Intelligencer sprawled the Adelphi, a stately terrace that seemed one vast structure with its uniform brickwork and pilasters decorated in ancient motifs. At the Leach residence in the center of the terrace, the knocker was muffled, and when Chase knocked, a footman in livery answered, informing him the mistress was not at