William crossed his hands over his chest. “I would love an answer to that question myself, Detective. I don’t know why my file is here and not in his office.”
“All right, then let’s move on to my next question. What are the two of you doing here? Are you part owner of this residence?”
“It is quite possible,” Amy mumbled.
William had to swallow his laugh. “No. I am not.” It would probably pay to give short answers rather than incriminate himself. In fact, he should call a halt to this conversation and demand that his barrister be present.
He decided on an offensive tactic. “Detective, I have a question for you. Are we being charged with something?”
Carson frowned. “Breaking and entering sounds reasonable.”
“Except we did not break in. The back door was left unlocked.”
William was happy that both Carson and Marsh looked surprised. “We will investigate that.”
“Naturally,” William said.
Carson continued. “We are
working on the theory that someone Harding was cheating and stealing from saw cause to do away with the man. Since the files here—which are no doubt the files that went missing from his office—most likely contain the names of those who had reason to be happy at Harding’s demise, your name is now on the top of our list. What other reason would there be for you to be so very anxious to retrieve this?”
Amy bristled at the man’s words. “Detective, do you honestly believe that Lord Wethington would shove someone into a river because the man was stealing from him? How about firing the man and turning to legal steps to deal with the situation?” Amy’s eyes flashed with anger, and William’s heart swelled at how she took up for him.
“Lady Amy, based on experience, we have no reason to believe or disbelieve anyone when involved in a murder investigation. What I can say to you and your cohort here is that, once again, you are nosing around police business.”
“I repeat, Detective, I was not nosing around police business but merely attempting to retrieve my file for the sole purpose of comparing the information there”—he nodded at the pile of files—“with my information at home so I could provide it to my new man of business.”
Carson shook his head. “As your lady friend said, there are legal ways to obtain that information. Breaking into someone’s home is not the proper way to do it.”
William’s anger was growing. Mostly at himself for being so foolish and getting him and Amy into a position where the police were now looking at him as a suspect. If they didn’t quickly make use of that list she’d hidden away, he would find himself sitting in jail.
As had been the case the first time he and Amy dealt with these detectives, the men seemed to have blinders on. Although he was certain that they would check all the people listed in the files they now held, William was the one who had been caught trying to get his file back, which would ensure that they shined the light of their investigation straight in his direction.
Whoever it was who had broken into the house before them could be the real killer or merely someone who too was being blackmailed and hadn’t wanted that information to fall into the hands of the police.
But they still had a list of a few of the people whose files had been hidden here instead of at Harding’s office. It was a place to start.
“You will not be charged with breaking and entering, since, given your position and title, you will be in and out of jail faster than we can do the booking process. But hear this”—Carson pointed his finger at William—“if you continue to get in our way, you will be charged—both of you—and although it might not amount to much, it will be uncomfortable for a day or so. And I don’t imagine it will do much for your business reputation, Wethington, or sit well with your father, Lady Amy.”
“Are you threatening us, Detective?” Amy asked, her nose in the air.
William could have placed his hand over her mouth and dragged her out of the room. It was not good to antagonize the police. Certainly not from the position in which they currently found themselves.
“No, my lady. That is not a threat but a promise.”
Amy stood and shook out her skirts. “In that case, Detectives, we will be on our way.”
Carson glared at her but didn’t stop William from taking Amy’s hand and moving toward the door.
“Once again, I remind you not to leave Bath without permission,” Carson said as Marsh closed his notebook. “We will be interviewing everyone in these files, which includes you.”
“I shall notify my barrister. Good day, Detective,” William said as he hurried Amy down the corridor to the back door. They practically ran to the carriage and climbed in. William tapped on the ceiling, and the carriage pulled forward.
“That was—” Amy took in a deep breath.
“Stupid and our own fault,” William added, totally disgusted with himself.
Amy glanced out the window, her expression as annoyed as he felt. “I hate to admit it, but I believe you are correct. We never should have let down our guard that way.”