The Repentant Rake

    'Paul's Wharf. They dumped the body beside the warehouse,' recalled Jonathan. 'It had far less chance of being discovered there than in this alley.'

    'They reckoned without Mr Warburton's dog.'

    Jonathan tossed all the stones away. 'We need to search for witnesses,' he said. 'It may just be that someone heard or saw something suspicious that night. I'll start with the houses that back on to the alley.'

    'You'll have to do that on your own, I fear,' said Christopher.

    'It's not my job, Mr Redmayne. I want to help you to hunt down those accomplices. I know two of the constables in this ward. They can knock on doors in my stead. I'll go and speak to them. But thank you for bringing me here,' he said solemnly. 'Now we know where he was killed. That's put my mind at rest.'

    'Good. I'll get back to Knightrider Street to continue the search.'

    'For what?'

    'Somebody with neat handwriting, Mr Bale.'

    'Stay as long as you wish, Sir Julius,' said Lucy Cheever. 'You're very welcome.'

    'I'll inconvenience you no longer than is necessary,' he said. 'But I would like to wait until Mr Redmayne gets back. Where has he gone, Susan?'

    'For a walk with Mr Bale,' said his daughter.

    'I met the worthy constable when you turned me out into the street.'

    'I did not turn you out, Father.'

    He gave a chuckle. 'You told me how close Mr Bale lived because you knew that I'd want to speak to the fellow. We had a long talk. Did you know he was a shipwright?'

    'No,' she said.

    'He spoke very highly of Mr Redmayne.'

    'I can understand that.'

    'So can I,' said Lucy. 'Mr Redmayne has been so good to me. Whenever I look at that face of his, I remember that he got those scars fighting for his life against Gabriel's killer.'

    They were in the parlour at the house in Knightrider Street. Sir Julius was anxious for the latest news. One man might be in custody but there were accomplices still at liberty. He was very disappointed not to be able to confront his son's killer. It made him even more eager to take part in the hunt for the others.

    'How long will they be?' he said impatiently

    'I have no idea, Father.'

    'But they will come back here?'

    'Mr Redmayne promised that he would.'

    'They have not gone all that far,' volunteered Lucy.

    'I wish I'd been here when they left,' said Sir Julius, tapping his foot. 'I could have gone with them. They obviously went in search of more evidence.'

    'It might be best if you did not interfere,' suggested his daughter.

    'Interfere? It was my son who was murdered Susan.'

    'His killer is now in prison. Thanks to Mr Redmayne and Mr Bale. They can manage very well on their own, Father, without having you under their feet.'

    'I'm under nobody's feet.'

    'No, Sir Julius,' said Lucy. 'Of course not. But Susan makes a sound point. They have worked so well on their own, it might be easier if they continue that way.'

    'What am I supposed to do - sit on my hands and wait?'

    'Yes,' said Susan firmly.

    'It's foreign to my nature.'

    She laughed. 'You need hardly tell me that.'

    'I want to be involved in the action?' he declared.

    Sir Julius pulled himself to his feet and crossed to the window. Susan gestured an apology at Lucy who responded with a tolerant smile. Both women were relieved when he saw something that made him hurry out of the room to open the front door. Hoping that Christopher had returned, Susan went out after him. Lucy waited with trepidation, unsure whether or not Christopher had kept his promise. She had entrusted him with a secret that could be dangerous in the wrong hands. As soon as he came into the room with the others, however, she knew that he had not betrayed her. His greeting was warm, his smile full of gratitude.

    'Where have you been?' demanded Sir Julius.

    'Father!' scolded Susan. 'Let Mr Redmayne catch his breath.'

    'I want to know.'

    'We were looking for the scene of the crime, Sir Julius,' said Christopher. 'Acting on information from an anonymous source, we went to Warwick Lane and found what we have been after for some time.'

    His version of events was succinct and carefully edited. Lucy was relieved that he made no reference to her, though she was distressed to think that her husband had been murdered in one place then transported through the streets to the wharf. Susan was delighted to have Christopher back in the house and signalled with a glance that she had something for him. Sir Julius kept pressing for details that Christopher did not give.

    'Where did this information come from?' he asked.

    'That's immaterial,' said Christopher. 'The point is that we now know who killed your son and where the crime occurred. All that is left to establish is motive.'

    'How will you do that?'

    'By gathering evidence.'

    'Let me help you.'

    'No, Sir Julius. This is work for Mr Bale and me.'

    'Three men are better than two.'

    'Not in this case. We know what to look for and where to find it.'

    Sir Julius was hurt. 'Am I to be excluded altogether from the hunt?'

    'Yes, Father,' said Susan. 'I told you not to impede Mr Redmayne.'

    'That's not what he's doing, Miss Cheever,' said Christopher. 'I have great sympathy with your father and I'm grateful for his offer of assistance. But it is not what we need at this point. We have to move stealthily.'

    'Is there no role at all for me?' asked Sir Julius.

    'Wait until we get back, Sir Julius. Here or at the King's Head.'

    'The King's Head it will be,' said the other disconsolately. 'I've no wish to intrude here any longer. Where will you go, Mr Redmayne?'

    'I have to see someone in Bedford Street.'

    'Another of your anonymous informants?' said Sir Julius sceptically.

    'Oh, no. This gentleman is far from anonymous. I wonder if you would excuse us if I ask for a moment alone with your daughter, Sir Julius?' asked Christopher, moving to the door. 'I will not keep her a minute.'

    Susan did not wait for her father's permission. She followed Christopher into the hall and closed the door behind them. They spoke in whispers.

    'You had a reply?' he said.

    'Yes, Mr Redmayne,' she said, handing over the letter that she pulled from her sleeve. 'It arrived just before Father did.'

    'What does she say?'

    'Miss Hemmings declines my invitation.'

    Christopher looked at the distinctive handwriting and felt a surge of triumph. 'It is just as well,' he said. 'For she will be quite unable to meet you now.'

    Unaware of developments elsewhere, Henry Redmayne was still suffering the torments of the damned. He writhed in unremitting pain. A blackmail demand had been issued and a death threat made. All that he needed to compound his misery was an unexpected visit from his censorious father. If the Dean of Gloucester were to arrive on the heels of Lord Ulvercombe, he thought, he would at least be on hand to identify his son's dead body. He rebuked himself yet again for his folly in writing so passionately to his mistress. It had earned him a night of ecstasy but the memory of that was of little practical use to him; indeed, he now looked back on it with dread. Lady Ulvercombe had been a spirited lover but an indiscreet one. At least, he consoled himself, he would never have to see her again.

    The sound of the doorbell made him jump from his chair in the dining room. When his brother was shown in, he clasped him like a drowning man about to go under the water for the last time.