Laura Lee Guhrke

Laura Lee Guhrke by Not So Innocent Read Free Book Online Page A

Book: Laura Lee Guhrke by Not So Innocent Read Free Book Online
Authors: Not So Innocent
a somewhat dingy house near Covent Garden.
    She turned to the butler. “I’ll just make certain he’scome in.” She paused, giving him a dubious look. “I think perhaps it would be best if you waited here.”
    Grimstock was obviously relieved. “Thank you, Miss Sophie. I think so, too.”
    Sophie stepped down from the carriage and walked up to the house. Praying she would find the police inspector home safe and sound, she tapped the brass knocker. Inside the house a dog began to bark, and after several moments, the door was opened by a stout woman in black crepe who carried an oil lamp in her hand.
    Peering at Sophie from behind the shelter of the woman’s skirts was a Pekingese that now growled at her with a ferocity that was almost comical, given the animal’s small size. It was not, Sophie knew, a nice dog. She suspected it had the tendency to bite any ankle within close proximity.
    “Nanki Poo,” the woman admonished in a cooing voice, bending to lift her pet with one hand. After tucking the Pekingese into the crook of her arm, she held the lamp higher and gazed at Sophie in some surprise. “Yes, miss? You be wanting a room?”
    “No, thank you. I’m looking for someone.” Sophie gave the woman her most charming smile. “Detective Inspector Dunbar.”
    The mention of his name caused the woman to scowl quite belligerently, and the dog gave another low growl.
    “What you be wanting ’im for?” The woman looked her up and down with an appraising eye. “’e’s one for the gels, but you don’t look ’is sort, dearie.”
    Realizing what she meant, what she must be thinking,Sophie was mortified. She hastily invented an explanation. “He promised a subscription for our dear missionaries in Africa. Half a crown, and I’ve come to see if I might collect it.”
    “Did ’e now? Fancy that. Willing to give to church charities, but not to find a poor, kidnaped dog for ’is own landlady. There I was, worrying all the day over Nanki Poo’s disappearance, and ’e wouldn’t do a thing to ’elp.”
    Sophie studied the Pekingese for a moment. She could have told the landlady her dog had not been kidnaped but had simply wanted to romp with the pretty little terrier around the corner, but she refrained. “How dreadful for you, but you must have felt so relieved when he was returned unharmed. You must tell me all about it.” Before the woman could do that very thing, Sophie went on, “Could I possibly see Inspector Dunbar? I have so many houses left to visit, and it’s getting quite late.”
    “Well, miss, ’e’s not in yet. Off in some pub, I’m sure.”
    She might be sure, but Sophie wasn’t. He could very well be dead. “Oh dear. I was hoping to find him in this evening. I—”
    “Looks as if you’ll be getting your wish, dearie,” the landlady interrupted her. “That’s ’im coming up the street.”
    Sophie turned, watching as a man came along the sidewalk toward them. The tall form of Inspector Dunbar was unmistakable, and Sophie grasped the doorjamb, weak with relief. He was alive, and he appeared to be unharmed. Furthermore, she could seethe aura of soft golden light that surrounded him. Somehow, the danger had passed.
    He caught sight of her standing on the front steps of his lodging house and paused for a moment beneath the streetlamp, looking at her. The lamplight caught on the glints of silver in his dark hair and showed the lines of anger in his lean face. Sophie felt the heat of that anger directed at her like the blast of a coal furnace, though she could not sense the reason for it.
    Her relief that he was alive disintegrated, and she glanced at the hansom, but it was too late to make a hasty departure. He was already between her and the cab, and only a few more steps brought him to her side. “Just the woman I wish to see.” He curled his hand beneath her elbow in a viselike grip, demonstrating to her quite clearly the strength he possessed. “Come with me.”
    He started pulling

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