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“Forgive me,” Miss Mahoney said, “I'm being rude. Please, let us all have a seat.”

Thinking she intended for them to sit at the settee facing her desk, Electra took a step closer and noticed two napping cats occupying the cushions. They were Siamese with silky brown ears and tails and lovely cream fur. One seemed to sense her regard, lifted its head, and blinked its pretty blue eyes.

“By the fireplace, I think,” Miss Mahoney called.

Electra joined Gideon on the settee adjacent to the unlit fireplace, while Miss Mahoney took a chair across from them.

“I could have Alison bring some tea, if you like.”

“I don't intend to take up much of your time,” Gideon said.

“Good. Time is precious.” Miss Mahoney took a breath, as if bolstering herself. “Ask your questions, Inspector.”

“You are acquainted with Gordon Callister, I’ve been given to understand.”

“I am.” She gave a tight smile.

“Mr. Callister says he was with you on the evening of July 28, from the early evening until quite late.”

Electra noted how the lady’s hands tightened in the folds of her skirt.

“He was indeed.”

“And you are acquainted with Mr. Pennington too, I take it.”

“I am. Both the late Mr. Percival Pennington, God rest his soul, and his brother.”

Gideon tipped his head, seemingly intrigued by that revelation. “And how are you acquainted with them?”

“I own an establishment that they sometimes visit.” She swallowed and added. “Well, that Mr. Percival Pennington used to frequent. His brother visited less often.”

“Is that the Rosebud Club?”

“Yes.” Miss Mahoney’s tone had flattened, and she sounded suddenly wary.

Electra sensed fear, but another emotion rolled off of her too. Something like affection, but Electra couldn’t sense for whom she might be feeling the emotion. For whatever reason, the mention of the club had brought it to the fore.

“You are Mr. Callister’s…paramour?” Gideon asked.

The lady let out a light burst of laughter. “Yes, at times.”

“Are you currently? He visited you only nights ago.”

“He did, and, yes, I suppose we are currently paramours. We have not ended our arrangement, but I had not seen him for weeks prior to that night.”

“Is there a reason?”

“Not that I'm aware.” Miss Mahoney shrugged as if the matter troubled her not at all. “He sees me when he wishes to. He avoids me when he wishes to, which suits me. As you can see”—she gestured to the pile of ledgers—“I have quite a lot of work to do to keep me busy.” She had the temerity to wink at Gideon. “Idleness is the devil’s playground, as they say.”

“What work do you do, Miss Maloney?”

She swallowed visibly and her smile turned into something more cunning. “I am an entrepreneur, Inspector.”

“You own it,” Electra murmured. The truth of it had come to her as she fixed on Miss Mahoney, trying to sense her thoughts, her feelings. When Gideon had asked her about her work, Miss Mahoney’s thoughts had strayed to the Rosebud Club, and Electra sensed an enormous swell of pride.

Gideon flicked his gaze between the two of them.

“I do,” Miss Mahoney admitted with a surprised look at Electra.