Quicksilver by Amanda Quick Read Free Book Online Page A

return home last night to your housekeeper,” he said.
    “I simply said that I had been detained at the client’s house longer than expected.” Virginia indicated the copy of the Flying Intelligencer on top of the desk. “There is nothing on Hollister’s death in the morning papers, so Mrs. Crofton has no reason to ask any questions.”
    “Do not be too sure of that. In my experience, housekeepers always know more than anyone realizes. The reason there is no gossip yet is because, as of midnight last night, no one except us and the killer was aware that Hollister was dead. For all we know the body is still down there in that chamber, waiting to be discovered. When it does appear in the papers, the death will no doubt be attributed to natural causes.”
    “Yes, of course. The family will make certain of it. They will not want the scandal of a murder investigation, especially if the killer was the wife, as we suspect.”
    “No.”
    Virginia clasped her hands on the blotter. “Given that no high-ranking family wants to become involved with the police, I cannot understand why someone tried to arrange matters so that I would be found at the scene of the murder with a knife in my hand.”
    “I’m almost certain that was not part of the original plan. I think it is far more likely that something went very wrong with a carefully set scheme last night.”
    “Do you think it was a coincidence that Lady Hollister commissioned a reading last night?”
    “When it comes to murder, there are no coincidences. But in this situation there are other possibilities.”
    “Such as?”
    “Perhaps you were the intended victim all along.”
    Virginia stilled. “Me?”
    “If you had been found at the scene, you would have been arrested and very likely hung for murder.”
    “Good grief.”
    “Do you have any enemies or rivals, Miss Dean?”
    She drew a breath. “No outright enemies that I know of, but there is always a great deal of competition among practitioners. So yes, I have some rivals, but I cannot think of any who would go so far as to implicate me in the murder of a high-ranking gentleman just to get me out of the way.”
    “It is only one possible explanation for events. I’m sure there are others.”
    “What a cheerful thought. You must have spent some time thinking about the case last night, sir. Is that the best you could come up with?”
    “I will admit that my thinking last night was not terribly productive. There are too many unknowns at this stage.”
    She raised her brows. “Did you get any sleep at all?”
    “Very little.”
    “Neither did I.” Virginia sighed. “I spent most of the night trying to make some sense of events. I am absolutely baffled.”
    “There is a great mystery here. The one thing I am certain of is that although we succeeded in destroying someone’s carefully laid trap, you are still in danger.”
    “But why?”
    “Because you are a very powerful glasslight-talent, Miss Dean. Your psychical ability is the key to this affair. Tell me what you remember of last night.”
    “I have gone over each moment again and again.” She rose and went to stand at the window. She gripped the edge of the green velvet drapery and looked out into the garden. “Mr. Welch, the gentleman who manages the consultation appointments at the Institute, booked a reading for me at the request of Lady Hollister. I arrived at the Hollister mansion at the specified time, eight o’clock in the evening.”
    “Did Lady Hollister send a carriage for you?”
    Virginia’s mouth curved into a faint, wry smile. “No, of course not. People like Lady Hollister only extend that courtesy to those they perceive to be their social equals. As far as my clients are concerned, I rank a rung or two lower on the social ladder than a governess or a paid companion, because unlike women in those two respectable careers, I go out into the world to make my living.”
    “But judging by the fact that you have your own house, employ