Free Trifling Favors (Redcakes Book 7) by Heather Hiestand Page A

Manfred was involved in blackmail schemes.”
    “But you don’t really know much about him.”
    “He was so secretive that even my sister didn’t know the truth, and they lived in the same home for a time.”
    Greggory scrubbed at his eyes and suppressed a yawn. “It seems likely that his profession was the reason for his death. He had been and possibly still was a jewel thief. But why Redcake’s?”
    “Could he have chosen the place for a meeting?” Lord Judah suggested. “I can’t imagine why, but he must have the skills of a housebreaker. You said a window was unlocked?”
    “It was more than that. The tearoom door was unlocked as well.”
    “I wish we knew if he knew Hellman,” Lord Judah said. “But I hardly think Manfred was in a position to be blackmailed. He had not been restored to society. While most people don’t know about the thieving, he never had the money to spend time in society, even as an earl’s nephew.”
    “That’s not the story I’ve heard. My cousin Alys said she first met Manfred at a party at Hatbrook’s home, before they were married.”
    “It must have been when I was still in India,” Lord Judah admitted. “I can’t say I know everything.”
    “It is amazing what we never hear,” Greggory said. “Not only do you now have a dead brother-in-law, you’re going to have to figure out what to do about Hellman. I’ve told Miss Popham that she can hire the daughter of one of her mother’s murder victims to be a cakie, now that both of her parents are deceased.”
    Lord Judah chuckled darkly. “Is she going to be any good at the job?”
    “I’ve never spoken to her, only seen her. But Miss Popham has always demonstrated good judgment in the past.”
    “You think she should have allowed herself to be blackmailed for years? After all, the crimes were her mother’s, not hers.”
    “She must have thought she’d lose her position, and her father’s, if it was known. That they’d be shunned.”
    “Ralph is a personal friend of Sir Bartley’s. You can be certain he knows all there is to be known about the Pophams,” Lord Judah said with confidence. “I think Betsy suffered needlessly.”
    “I don’t know if you are right about that.”
    “She must have been all of eighteen then,” Lord Judah said. “Not an age for making the best decisions. I’m glad we both know. I will terminate Hellman’s employment. You should keep a closer eye on Miss Popham and I’ll do the same with her father. They’ve always seemed to be exemplary employees, but it seems their personal lives are troubled.”
    Greggory felt defensive. “They are victims here.”
    “If she talked you into hiring an unsuitable cakie, then that is a judgment problem,” Lord Judah said coolly. “It could be a mark against her. And, Greggory, if her family’s actions brought murder into Redcake’s, I wouldn’t want her about. You have your income and family to consider.”
    “Time will tell. It’s difficult to imagine hardworking, conscientious Betsy Popham destroying my business,” Greggory said.
    “It’s murder that will destroy it. The case needs to be solved right away. The lower classes might find murder to be a spectator sport, but I can see every upper-class paterfamilias in Kensington forbidding his wife and daughters to patronize the tearoom for now.”
    He crossed his arms. “That would be dreadful. I suppose I had better find out if Mrs. Popham’s crimes touched upon the life of Manfred Cross in any way.”
    “I’ll speak to Ralph in the morning. He’ll know far better than Betsy.” Lord Judah put his hands behind his back and began to pace. “I think I’ll go to the theater in my carriage and collect my wife. I won’t be able to relax until I know she is safe.”
    Greggory agreed. If his brother-in-law had been murdered, he’d want to know his wife was safe, too. “I shall leave you to it, then. I should return home to my children.”
    Lord Judah clapped him on the shoulder.