“So I suggest you talk to whichever Mr. Leach is running the business at the moment and ask him to get in touch with me. He may not think I’m the right man for the job, of course. And I warn you that my services are not exactly cheap.”

“That’s of no consequence,” Zou Zou said. “Money is no object in this case. We want the best and we want Lord Kilhenny freed.”

“I also warn you that while I am damned good at what I do, I cannot work miracles,” Sir Grenville added. “A jury may be swayed by the fingerprints. The alcoholic stupor and lack of memory may well make them react negatively. It really all comes down to what transpires in America. If and when this man is identified, then other motives, other suspects may come to light. In the meantime I look forward to hearing from Mr. Leach of Leach and Leach.”

It was all so civilized. I had to remind myself that it was a man’s life we were dealing with.

Chapter 30

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5

BACK TO KILHENNY.

I could tell that Darcy was really reluctant to visit the Garda headquarters and meet with Chief Inspector Callahan, but Zou Zou could be quite persuasive when she wanted something.

“I’m sure he’ll listen to me,” she said.

“I have to remind you that the man is an ardent republican,” Darcy said. “He is probably also a rabid socialist and wishes to abolish all aristocracy.”

“Silly boy.” Zou Zou chuckled. “It is not my pedigree that interests men, as you very well know.” She gave him one of those looks that felt like a dagger in my heart.

So we returned to the park and the Garda headquarters only to find that the inspector was out, working on a case. Darcy heaved a sigh of relief. Zou Zou was all for doing the rounds of Dublin hotels, asking about American doctors and Professor Peabody, but Darcy thought the next step should be to visit Leach and Leach. “We have to tell them about Sir Grenville. And my father, of course,” he added. “After all, it is his case. If he doesn’t agree to the barrister, then we certainly can’t engage him.”

“Who could possibly turn down the best barrister in Ireland?” Zou Zou asked. “Especially when he looks the part so well. He’d have the jurors believing every word he said.”

“All the same, it will be my father’s decision.”

“I’m sure I can persuade him,” Zou Zou said. “I usually can. And I think our next mission should not be to boring old solicitors but to somewhere we can have luncheon. I’m positively starving.”

“I’d like to catch the solicitors now, before they go to lunch,” Darcy said. “We’ll grab a bite to eat in Kildare.”

“If I’m not dead of starvation by then,” she said. “Very well. Put your foot down, Darcy.”