Free Otherwise Engaged by Amanda Quick Page B

to Mr. Stanbridge for whatever help he can provide, but I do not wish to put either of you ladies in danger.”
    “According to Mr. Stanbridge,” Penny said, “my sister may still be in danger. Do you agree, Inspector?”
    Logan hesitated and then inclined his head. “It’s possible that, having been deprived of his prey, the beast may well make another attempt to seize Miss Doncaster. Assuming that he’s alive. I simply don’t know.”
    “Then I insist on doing whatever I can to help in this inquiry,” Amity said.
    “So do I,” Penny added.
    Benedict looked at Logan. “It appears you have a team of investigators ready to help, Inspector. Will you allow us to do so?”
    Logan studied the three of them for a long moment. Then he made his decision.
    “Four women have died thus far,” he said. “Now a fifth has barely escaped the same fate. I accept your offer of assistance. But the four of us will keep this to ourselves, is that understood? I am afraid that my associates at the Yard would not approve of allowing civilians to become involved in an investigation.”
    “Understood,” Benedict said. “I know my fiancée can keep a secret. I have no doubt but that Mrs. Marsden can keep one, as well.”
    “As it happens,” Penny said coolly, “I have had some experience in that regard.”
    The comment struck Amity as odd. She glanced at Penny, but before she could ask any questions Benedict spoke.
    “I will arrange to keep an eye on Miss Doncaster when she leaves the house,” he said. “But I think it best to have someone watch this residence at night.”
    Amity stared at him, shocked. “Isn’t that going a little too far?”
    “No,” Benedict said. “It’s not.”
    Logan blew out a breath. “Mr. Stanbridge has a point. Given the Yard’s lack of progress to date, and the fact that we have not foundthe killer’s body, it would be a good idea to have the house watched at night. I will make arrangements for a constable to stand guard.”
    “Thank you,” Penny said. “I would feel better knowing that there was a policeman nearby in the evenings. Now, then, where do we start the investigation?”
    “I believe we must begin with the guest list for the Channing ball,” Logan said. “But I very much doubt that Lady Channing will give it to me.”
    Penny smiled. “Obtaining the Channing guest list is no problem at all, Inspector. I can tell you exactly how to get it.”

Nine
    B enedict went down the front steps of Number Five Exton Street filled with an odd mix of exhilaration and dread. Both emotions were directly linked to Amity. For the past few weeks, ever since he had left her in New York, she had been in his head. The sense of anticipation he had experienced on the voyage back to London had been unlike anything he had ever known. Discovering that she had very nearly been murdered and that the killer had become obsessed with her because of her connection to him had shaken him to the center of his being.
    And now he was engaged to her. In a manner of speaking. The thought of having an excuse to spend a great deal of time in her company—the thought of kissing her again—thrilled him. But the reason for the enforced intimacy between them made it impossible to savor the exhilaration. He would not sleep well until the killer was found.
    He hailed a cab and went home to his town house. It had been amonth and a half since he had left, but he had telegraphed the news of his impending arrival to his butler. As always, Hodges and his wife, Mrs. Hodges, the housekeeper, had everything ready and in order. It was as if Benedict had just gone out to meet a friend earlier that morning and had returned somewhat later than usual. As far as Benedict could discern, there was no force on earth that could shatter the aplomb of either of the Hodges.
    “I trust your journey was satisfactory,” Hodges said.
    “Yes, in more ways than one.” Benedict handed his hat, coat and gloves to Hodges. “But there were a few