“We’ve already discussed why I love this store, so movingon.” Adelaide nodded to Frank. “How was it that you became embroiled in an altercation with Frank?”
“Believe me, it wasn’t premeditated. I was merely doing a favor for a, well, acquaintance, if you will, who received a note earlier this evening, asking her to meet with a fervent admirer tonight in this very library. She, of course, was reluctant to do so, and asked me to investigate the man for her. When I stepped into the library, I asked Frank if he was waiting for this acquaintance of mine, and the next thing I knew, he was charging at me with a pistol gripped in his hand. I had no choice but to defend myself.”
“And how fortunate for you that you’re evidently capable of taking on a pistol-wielding manandliving to tell the tale.”
“Indeed, although I would have preferred to not have been forced to engage in such a troubling circumstance tonight, what with how it’ll be difficult to explain the situation to anyone if I can’t get Frank out of here without being seen.”
“I’m sure questions would be asked regarding how a gentleman of leisure was capable of dispatching a known criminal boss without suffering a scratch, just as I’m sure there would also be questions about why you felt compelled to meet with Frank at Sophia Campanini’s request.”
“I never said Sophia Campanini asked me to approach a mysterious admirer.”
Adelaide stifled a snort. “Please, it doesn’t take a master sleuth to figure out that less-than-difficult puzzle. It would be an unusual circumstance for a lady of the Four Hundred to receive such a note from an admirer. Sophia Campanini, on the other hand, being a very in-demand opera singer, is probably accustomed to admirers sending her notes in the hope she’ll grant them a few moments of her time. Given that she’s rumored to enjoy her admirers lavishing gifts on her, she might not care to meet with an unknown admirer on her own but would certainly want someone to investigate him for her, especially if the admirer in question possessed deep pockets.”
“That’s some rather impressive deductive reasoning on your part,” Gideon admitted.
“That you would acknowledge that suggests I’m quite right about this matter. One of the questions now remaining is why Sophia Campanini would specifically seek you out and ask for your assistance.”
“It would be best if I don’t disclose those details to you.”
Adelaide’s toe began beating a rapid tattoo against the Aubusson carpet. “We’ve come too far for you to turn nondisclosure on me now. However, since you seem reluctant to elaborate, I’m going to assume that Sophia approached you because she’s somehow aware that you’re a gentleman who knows how to handle delicate situations, although...” She tapped her finger against her chin. “I haven’t puzzled out how she’d know that, unless...”
“Unless what?” Gideon prodded after a good minute passed in silence as Adelaide tried to figure the matter out.
She tilted her head. “I’m going to hazard a guess and say you’re involved with some type of private enterprise that concerns itself with delicate matters.” Her lips began to curve when Gideon winced ever so slightly.
“That’s it, isn’t it?” she asked. “You’re no mere gentleman of leisure, but are using skills you obviously honed during your stint in the navy for some secret organization, and...” She stepped closer to him. “I bet you’re involved with that accounting firm you mentioned, one run by your old friend Roland. But he doesn’t run an accounting firm, does he? It’s more along the lines of an investigation agency, using the whole accounting business as a front.”
Gideon’s mouth went a little slack. “How did you arrive at that conclusion?”
“You smiled when you mentioned the accounting firm.”
“Perhaps I find accounting amusing.”
“No one finds accounting amusing, not even accountants.But returning to Roland the Accountant—may I dare hope he uses that as a code name, quite like criminals do?”
“What code names have you ever heard criminals use?”
“Boris the Butcher springs to mind.”
“You know Boris the Butcher?”
Adelaide raised a hand to her throat. “That almost sounds as if you know a real Boris the Butcher, whereas the one I was speaking about was in one of my books.”
Gideon sent her an overly innocent smile. “I was referring to a Boris I read about in a book as well.”
“Considering you’re undoubtedly involved with the hazy world of clandestine operations, one would think you’d be more proficient with lying.”
His brows drew together. “Why do you think I’m lying?”
“Your right eye twitched. But if we may return to the situation at hand? Areyou involved with Roland the Accountant?”
“He doesn’t go by Roland the Accountant, merely Roland Kelly, but allow me to point out that I’m beginning to believeyourname should be Adelaide the Persistent.”
“If I’m ever fortunate enough to need a code name, I’ll choose something far more intriguing, such as Adelaide the Avenger, or...”
“Adelaide the Annoying?” he finished for her when she faltered.
“I’m sure you do find me rather annoying at the moment, but I assure you, my ability to irritate you will significantly decrease if you’ll simply tell me how Sophia knew she could ask you to intervene with this so-called admirer. Considering he attacked you, I have to believe it wasn’t admiration he holds for Sophia but something of a far darker nature.”