Free Slightly Shady by Amanda Quick

just two days ago. He's dead, then?" "Most assuredly Someone crushed his skull with a very heavy object." "Humph." Crackenbume went back to his paper. "What of the diary Neville employed you to find?" Tobias stretched out his legs toward the fire. "Gone by the time I arrived on the scene." "I see. Unfortunate. Don't suppose Neville was pleased to hear that." "No." "Any notion of where to start looking for it next?" "Not yet, but I have let my informants know I am still in the market for any and all information that might lead me to the damned thing." Tobias hesitated. "There has been a new development." "What is that?" "I have been obliged to form a partnership for the duration of this venture. My new associate has already come across a clue that may prove useful." Crackenburne looked up swiftly, faded eyes glinting with astonishment. "A partner? Do you mean Anthony?" "No. Anthony is my occasional assistant and I intend that he remain in that role. I've explained that I do not want him to become too involved in my business." Crackenburne was dryly amused. "Even though he enjoys the work? " "That is beside the point." Tobias steepled his fingers and studied the fire. "This is no field for a gentleman. it is only one step up from being a spy, and the income is, to say the least, unpredictable. I promised Ann that I would see to it that her brother pursued a respectable, stable career. Her greatest fear was that he would end up in the hells, as their father did." "Has young Anthony demonstrated any interest in a respectable, stable career?" Crackenburne asked dryly. "Not yet," Tobias admitted. "But he is only one-and-twenty. At the moment his attentions swing wildly among a number of subjects, including science, antiquities, art, and Byron's poetry." "if all else fails, you can always suggest he try his hand at fortune hunting." "I fear that Anthony's chances of meeting, let alone marrying, a wealthy wife are extremely small," Tobias said. "Even if he were to stumble across one by accident, his low opinion of young ladies whose conversation centers on gowns and gossip would no doubt sink the endeavor before it set sail." "Ah well, I would not worry about his future too much, if I were you," Crackenburne said. "It has been my experience that young men tend to make their own decisions. In the end, there is very little one can do but wish them well. Now, tell me about this new business associate you mentioned." "Her name is Mrs. Lake. You may recall my mentioning her name to YOU." Crackenburne's mouth opened and closed and then opened again. "Good God, man. Never say it is the same Mrs. Lake you encountered in Italy?" "One and the same. It seems that she was on Felix's list of blackmail victims." Tobias regarded the fire over his steepled fingers. "Blames me for it." "You don't say." Crackenbume adjusted his spectacles and blinked a number of times. "Well, well, well. What an interesting turn of events." "It's a damnable complication, so far as I'm concerned. She has set herself up in the business of accepting commissions for private inquiries." Tobias tapped the tips of his fingers together. "I believe I was her inspiration." "Astonishing. Absolutely astonishing." Crackenburne shook his head. He appeared torn between amusement and amazement. "A lady pursuing a career in the same odd profession you have created for yourself. I vow, it leaves a man quite stunned." "I assure you that being left stunned is only one of a number of unpleasant effects the news had on me. However, since she intends to pursue the diary on her own, I have little choice but to engage myself as her partner." "Yes, of course." Crackenburne nodded wisely. "It is the only way to keep an eye on her and control her actions." "I'm not at all certain that anyone can control Mrs. Lake." Tobias paused. "But as it happens, I did not come here to talk about my problems with my new partner. I sought you out today to ask you a question." "What would that be?" "You have