“I could not agree more.” Brogan’s Irish accent was still obvious, but his word choice was a bit more formal than usual. He was adapting to the situation. She would do well to determine her wisest role and adapt as well.
“Have you had an opportunity to speak with Captain Shaw about the changes that will take effect in a few weeks?” Lord Chelmsford asked Brogan.
The discussion turned to fire brigades, safety techniques, and the character of Captain Shaw and the London Fire Engine Establishment. Through it all, Vera offered only a few quick interjections, not wishing to disrupt the flow, not knowing if Lord Chelmsford was one of those gentlemen who felt it best for women to keep quiet. She followed Brogan’s lead in this, just as he followed hers in the matter of her neighbors’ safety.
She peered now and then at the clock on the mantelpiece, watching the minutes tick by. How long would they need to keep this up? How could they possibly know when this Phantom Fox had managed his task?
“Though I didn’t grow up in London,” Brogan said, “I am still quite familiar with the Radlett murder. Your work on that case is quite well spoken of, even in Ireland.”
It was an important change of topic. They were meant to learn what they could about the case mentioned in the forged document.
“I am ashamed to admit,” Vera said, “I’m not acquainted with it. A few details here and there, yes, but overall, that case is a mystery to me.”
Brogan took her hand and squeezed it, decidedly giving the impression of a tender connection between them. It would likely help Lord Chelmsford feel comfortable conversing with the two of them.
“I could tell her of it,” Brogan said, “but I would not wish to deprive her of the opportunity to hear about it from your lips, Lord Chelmsford. What an opportunity that is.”
While Lord Chelmsford did hesitate, he did not seem truly opposed to sharing details. What followed was a very intricate recounting of what she knew had been a notorious event. A man convinced a local solicitor, to whom he owed a great gambling debt, to join him and two friends for a weekend of cards. Near to their destination, the man shot the solicitor, but failed to kill him. He finished his sinister deed by beating the man to death. He and his two friends hid the body in a nearby pond before continuing on to their destination and enjoying a hot dinner and a night of lighthearted revelry, despite the atrocities still fresh in their minds.
The three of them were soon connected with the murder, and one of the men—Joseph Hunt, who owned a local inn—led authorities to the body of the victim, whom the villains had also robbed. Lord Chelmsford, a young barrister at the time, had been tasked with representing Joseph Hunt. Though Mr. Hunt had been the most cooperative and helpful of the three men, it was the other accomplice who was offered freedom in exchange for turning King’s evidence. The murderer was hanged. The other accomplice went free.
“What was Mr. Hunt’s punishment in the end?” Vera asked.
“Transportation for life. He was sent to Botany Bay, as many other criminals are.”
“Did he have any family here?” Vera asked.
“None of note,” Lord Chelmsford said. “He was well liked, though, by the staff and regulars at his tavern. Many of them seemed to regret his role in the crime and his sentence. One of the young women who worked at the tavern even cried when his sentence was handed down.”
Vera nodded slowly. “Life is often cruel, isn’t it? One cannot help but be aware that crimes impact so many innocent people. The family of the victim will mourn the loss of their loved one. The family of the guilty mourn as well. The people living nearby struggle afterward to feel safe. So many innocent people’s lives change forever.”
Lord Chelmsford looked at her with a kind expression one might receive from an uncle or grandfather. He was of an age to have been either one, though there was nothing feeble about him. “You have a kind heart, miss. Not everyone recognizes how many unseen victims there are.”
“The nation is fortunate to have barristers such as yourself,” Brogan said, “who are not merely gifted at what they do, but execute their duties with needed compassion. That is an important combination.”
“Not everyone is pleased with the work I have done.” Lord Chelmsford seemed to inwardly sigh.
Heavens, this was a fortunate direction for the conversation to take. Vera didn’t mean to let it slip away. “Truly? Who could be displeased?”
“Any number of people. Those who were upset that I failed to gain a conviction. Those who feel a punishment was too harsh or too lenient. Those who were guilty as sin, but fully expected me to free them of the natural consequences of their actions.”
“I’m certain you did your very best work,” Vera said.
“If everyone had your generous heart, I believe we would make strides toward a more just system than we have now.”
Brogan squeezed her hand but addressed Lord Chelmsford. “We are taking up your time, Lord Chelmsford. Thank you for seeing us.”
“My pleasure.”
Lord Chelmsford stood along with them and saw them to the drawing room door. He offered a friendly farewell, which they returned in kind.
Once on the pavement, they strolled leisurely down the street and around the nearby corner. Brogan then stopped and tucked them both up against a tall hedge, casting them fully in shadow.
“Do you think the Phantom Fox had enough time?” Vera asked in a nearly silent whisper.
“I was told to distract Chelmsford for at least fifteen minutes. We managed twenty-five.”
“How will you know if the thief was successful?”
“I won’t for a time,” he said.
Across the street, two men emerged from the shadows and moved quickly and silently to where they stood. Vera recognized them in the brief moments their faces were illuminated. It was Fletcher Walker and Stone, the other two authors who were present when she’d been told about Papa’s forgeries.
“What did you learn?” Fletcher asked, his voice low but not a whisper.
“We managed a quick discussion of the Radlett murder, particularly about Joseph Hunt.”
“Hunt’s name is on that forged list,” Stone said. His American accent always caught Vera off guard. It wasn’t one she heard around London, but she liked the sound of it.
“Chelmsford talked about people not always being pleased with the results of cases he’s worked,” Brogan said. “People were upset that Joseph Hunt was transported.”
“But that was decades ago,” Vera said. “I’d be full surprised if someone were seeking vengeance for it now. Mr. Hunt’s likely not even alive any longer. The people upset about him might not be either.”