My Favorite Thief by Karyn Monk Read Free Book Online Page B

warm ginger biscuits to go with it.”
    â€œNo, thank you.”
    â€œHow about you, Constable?” Eunice held the plate of fragrant biscuits up to Constable Wilkins. “They’re lovely an’ crisp—”
    â€œWe don’t have time for refreshments,” Lewis said firmly.
    Constable Wilkins regarded the plate mournfully.
    â€œDid either of you ladies see or hear anything unusual after Miss Kent returned home?” Lewis asked. “Any strange noises in the house, for instance?”
    â€œNae more strange than usual,” said Doreen. “With the lasses an’ young Flynn traipsin’ about, there’s always some clamorin’ somewhere.”
    â€œI see. And where might they be?”
    â€œAt this hour they’re most probably in bed,” Eunice told him.
    â€œThank you. Please don’t feel you need to accompany me, Miss Kent,” he told Charlotte. “Constable Wilkins and I can manage on our own.”
    â€œI appreciate that, Inspector.” Charlotte fought to remain calm as she laboriously started up the stairs in front of him. “It’s just that the girls staying here might feel a little unnerved by your presence, and particularly that of Police Constable Wilkins. I want to be there to reassure them.”
    â€œAs you wish.”
    He made a quick perusal of the bedrooms that belonged to Charlotte, Eunice, Doreen, and Oliver. Finding nothing amiss, he proceeded to the top floor.
    â€œDon’t be frightened, Violet,” Charlotte soothed when she saw the young girl peering at them from behind her chamber door. “This is Inspector Turner and Constable Wilkins. They are just taking a look at the house to make sure that we are safe.”
    Violet eyed the two men in wary silence. Lewis speculated the poor girl had learned long ago that when it came to policemen, the less one spoke the better.
    â€œWho is in there?” he demanded, indicating the closed door of the room in which Charlotte had left the Dark Shadow.
    â€œThat’s Ruby’s chamber,” Charlotte told him.
    â€œShe’s sleepin’.” Flynn rubbed his eyes as he emerged from his own tiny room.
    â€œUnfortunately, Miss Kent, we shall have to waken her.”
    â€œI understand, Inspector.” Charlotte went over to the door and rapped firmly upon it. “Ruby? It’s Miss Kent. I’m sorry to disturb you, but there is a detective and a policeman here and they need to take a quick look inside your room. Is that all right?”
    â€œI ain’t decent,” Ruby mumbled sleepily. “Give me a minute.”
    Lewis waited impatiently, listening to the sounds of a bed creaking, a wardrobe door being opened and shut, and then a most unladylike oath as some part of Ruby’s body thudded against something hard. Finally, the door opened and she appeared, looking grumpy and disheveled, with her brilliant copper hair spilling wildly over the rumpled blanket she had retrieved to drape around herself.
    â€œI ain’t done nothin’,” she spat defensively at Constable Wilkins.
    â€œThe police aren’t here for you, Ruby,” Charlotte explained. “They are looking for any sign that the Dark Shadow may have tried to break into the house.”
    Ruby yawned and scratched herself. “He ain’t in here.”
    â€œIf you don’t mind, I’d like to take a look for myself. Wilkins, you go check the boy’s room.” Lewis walked into the dark chamber, pushing the door wide until it was softly bathed in the light spilling from the oil lamps in the corridor.
    Charlotte watched nervously as he stood in the center of the room. For what seemed an eternity he did not move, but merely stood there, his eyes searching. He studied the tousled bedclothes upon the narrow bed, the empty glass upon the dressing table, the slightly ajar door of the wardrobe. Although Charlotte didn’t think there was anything unusual