Constantine Capers: The Pennington Perplexity by Natalie Brianne (new ebook reader TXT) 📕

made their way to the one open interrogation room. Byron paced. Mira sat in one of the chairs waiting for Selene to be brought in.

Selene had dark circles under her eyes and red marks on her wrists from where restraints had been cutting in. However, the dress she wore made her look incredibly feminine in comparison to her tight black attire. She came in with a constable who handcuffed her to the table.

“Back again so soon, Detective?” she purred. Byron glanced at Mira, furrowing his brow.

“It’s been several days. We thought we would check in on you,” Mira answered for him, and he relaxed.

The cat sneered. “How thoughtful of you. As you can see, I am doing quite well here. If that is all, I give you leave to withdraw.”

“We do have some questions for you.” Byron sat and pulled out his notebook.

“I had thought you might. Get to it then.”

“Tell us what you know about Molly Bridges.”

The color drained from Selene’s face. “Um. Molly? I’m afraid I don’t know anything about her.”

“Your complexion says otherwise.”

“I don’t think I know what you mean.”

“On the night that the murder of Clement Pennington took place you burglarized his rooms.”

“We’ve already been over this. I did not murder him.”

“We know you didn’t. But you did burglarize his apartments.”

“I did. I found nothing. You know this.” She fidgeted with the handcuffs.

“Someone told you it would be empty at ten. That person was Molly Bridges.” The cat went silent. “So, we are right on that. Excellent. Now if she is the murderer, why won’t you help us bring her to justice?”

“Because it is dangerous!”

“What? More dangerous than being in prison?”

“What are you suggesting?”

“We have ties with the police department. If you help us, we may be able to help you.” The cat quieted. Determining her options.

“I will help you. Under some conditions.”

“Name them and we’ll check to see if they can be done.”

“One: After I help you, I get safe passage to France. Two: While I am helping you, I am under protection.”

“We’ll check with the chief inspector. Those seem like reasonable conditions.”

“You told her what?!” Raymond Thatcher flushed to the color of a tomato.

“Thatcher, her crimes are minor in comparison to murder. And if she wants to go steal things in France, how is that injuring Britain?”

“You can’t just offer a prisoner freedom like that. She hasn’t even been on trial yet! And we don’t even know if she can help you.”

“We have to find this murderer. She’s our only lead.” Byron shrugged.

“My superiors aren’t going to like this.”

“Trust me.”

Raymond thought for a moment then nodded. “Alright, Constantine. I’ll make sure she is released into your care the moment you ask. I’ll have Ms. Chickering take care of the paperwork as soon as possible.”

Byron nearly ran down to the interrogation rooms. Selene reclined in her chair.

“Do we have a deal?” She leaned forward and offered a hand. Byron shook it without a second thought.

“Yes, we do. Now tell us about Molly.”

“That isn’t her real name. Of course, only she knows her real one. Most of her personas have the initials MB. She’s a mercenary for hire. Everyone knows her as the Shadow.”

“So that’s it then,” Byron said.

“She approached me about a month and a half ago about this job. She said that she cased it for a few months and that she knew the patterns of this man. Pennington was it?” Byron nodded, and she continued. “She told me that if I were interested, she would give me more details about it. She said that she would pay me for the burglary and that I could keep anything I found. We met up a few weeks later, and she gave me the exact date and time. You know the rest.”

“Where did you meet, and did you ever get the money from her?”

“I’d have to take you there, and no. I didn’t have the chance.”

“And why did you refuse to tell us who she was before? Is she that dangerous?”

“She is, and the people w—she works with are. I was afraid that she’d find some way to kill me in here. But if this means my freedom, I’ll risk it.”

“We’ll make sure you are protected. Write up a letter to Molly, and we’ll make sure it gets posted. We’ll plan on meeting with Molly the day after tomorrow. That will give her enough time to respond to you and give us enough time to prepare. We’ll come retrieve you before heading out.”

“You don’t mean you are bringing your secretary with you?” Selene narrowed her eyes.

“Miss Blayse is invaluable. She’s coming.”

Mira averted her gaze. The cat looked her up and down.

“No offense, but where I am taking you is no place for a lady. She will be obviously out of place.”

“We’ll manage. Where are we going?”

“Into the Pit.”

“Not a problem.” Byron’s face darkened.

They walked out of Scotland Yard together, and Byron turned his gait down to the Thames. The calm evening caused the water to gently rise and fall. Yellow and orange pastels danced across the waves. Halfway across Westminster bridge, Byron stopped and leaned over the side. He took off his hat and ran a hand through his hair. Mira stopped beside him.

“We are so close, Mira. So very close to the end.”

“You think Selene can help us track down Molly?”

“I’m positive. Day after tomorrow this case will be closed.”

She nodded and went quiet for a moment.

“Byron, what is the Pit?”

“A place I haven’t been to since before my accident. That I remember, that is. It’s the very lowest, darkest, filthiest part of this city.” He set his hat on the edge of the bridge and sighed. “She was right. It’s no place for a lady.”

“I’m still coming.”

“The more I think about it, the more I feel like you shouldn’t.”

“Byron—”

“According to my journal, the last time you talked me into letting you come, you got kidnapped.”

“And?”

“You aren’t coming.”

“Yes, I am.”

He turned to her and took her hand in both