Read Online The Secrets of Mia Danvers by Robyn DeHart - Free Book Online

killer could be Jack the Ripper, but it was certainly looking more and more like he’d moved uptown and was now after girls here.
    Alex had already sent a request to Scotland Yard to speak with the lead inspector on Sally’s case. When they finally paid him a visit, he would share Mia’s information, but also he wanted guarantees that they were examining every possible scenario for these crimes. Simply because the Ripper had been quiet for nearly two months did not mean this was a different killer.
    Either way, it seemed as if Mia might be the only living witness to his violence. Alex knew that regardless of what his mother said about the girl, she could potentially help solve this case and he wouldn’t ignore that.
    ***
    The following morning, Alex had just entered his study and sat with his cup of tea when his butler entered the room. “Your Grace, there is an Inspector Jacobs here to see you,” Hodges said from the study doorway.
    “Yes, I’ve been expecting someone from the Yard,” Alex said. “Send him in.”
    Alex stirred the cream into his tea, then took a sip. He retrieved the notes he’d taken during his meeting with Mia and set them in front of him. A moment later a man entered the study and the door was closed behind him. A very familiar man.
    Alex came to his feet. “Simon?” He shook his head. “I thought . . . I was expecting an inspector from the Scotland Yard.” He and Simon had grown up together, been friends all through school. When Alex had joined the army, Simon had stayed behind to become a professor. He’d always been disarmingly intelligent.
    “Hello, Alex, it’s been a while. So long, in fact, that you didn’t know I was, in fact, an inspector.”
    “Ah, now Inspector Jacobs makes perfect sense,” Alex said.
    “I’ve been with the Yard now for nearly three years.” Simon moved forward and took a seat in one of the chairs opposite Alex’s desk.
    “I suppose being out of the country would limit my knowledge of your whereabouts. Last I heard you were at university, teaching,” Alex said.
    “My position with the Metropolitan Police is not particularly public knowledge,” Simon said. “It’s not so much that I hide it, but being from my family, it is not a widely supported decision.”
    Alex offered his friend tea, but Simon declined. “No doubt being a viscount presents a problem considering you have a paying position. Then again, you always wanted an occupation of sorts.”
    “I see no point in sitting around doing nothing while hoards of servants see to your every need. No offense.”
    “None taken. I’m rather new to this sitting-around bit. Though I do find myself busier than I might have expected. But I don’t suppose you came here to visit with me about my recently acquired title.”
    Simon chuckled. “I did not. I presume you called me here about the girl who was murdered on your property,” Simon said. “Well, you sent for the lead investigator and that’s me. I understand she was a servant in your employ.”
    “She was. My mother has handled all of the hiring and firing of our servants for the past several years. I’ve been taking a greater interest in that lately, but my mother hired Sally and her sister.”
    “I might need to speak with her, but I don’t think that’s necessary at this point,” Simon said.
    “The men that were here the other day said Sally’s death appeared to be a lovers’ quarrel gone too far,” Alex said. “I don’t suppose you are subscribing to that theory.”
    “I am not. And neither are they. Especially after last night. The entire Yard was in disarray during the Ripper’s killing rampage. I don’t think anyone wants to believe he could be back,” Simon said.
    “And is that what you believe?”
    “I’m reserving judgment until I further investigate these two deaths. I didn’t get to see the scene from the murder here at Danbridge. But I do have the other inspector’s notes.”
    “And I have additional