“It’s nearly empty.” Daniel opened the door wider, releasing the scent of wilting greens and dusty root vegetables. He motioned to a bench that ran the length of the van, a few boxes and bags of produce stacked on the other side. “I’m happy to drive you. Be a boon for me to have two lovely ladies in the back of me wagon.”

“I hardly want to be seen climbing into and out of a produce van,” Mrs. Compton said huffily. “At my time of life.”

“Oh, that time’s not so very great, ma’am. And it is raining powerful hard.”

Daniel did not exaggerate. My coat was already soaked, and my hat would need much drying and reshaping after this deluge.

Whether Mrs. Compton feared the rain more than someone seeing her in a delivery van, or Daniel had charmed her with his compliments, she at last conceded that sitting inside would be more comfortable than us hurrying through the wet.

I let out a breath of relief as Daniel handed me in and I sat down on the rough bench, out of the wind and rain. A lit lantern hung in the van’s corner, its candle flickering through punched tin.

“Comfortable?” Daniel grinned in at us. “Have to make a few more stops around these parts. Mind?”

“We hardly have a choice,” I told him coldly. “Thank you for your kindness.”

“Not at all, missus. I have the window down for air, and if you want to stop, you just sing out. Door’s not locked.”

He shut it, leaving us in a stuffy, if chilly, enclosure. The light leaking through the tin lantern spangled our faces, the points of light moving wildly as the van jolted forward.

“Well, this is highly unusual, but I suppose it will have to do,” Mrs. Compton said as the lantern settled down into an easy swing. “You asked about Nurse Betts, Mrs. Holloway.” Before I could answer, she seized my wrist in a sudden and crushing grip, and her voice took on a fierce note. “You tell me everything you know about her, where she is, and why she went. If you’ve kidnapped her or harmed her in any way, it won’t go well for you.”

6

I blinked in surprise and jerked my arm free. “You misunderstand, Mrs. Compton,” I said firmly. “I am trying to find Miss Betts. I am concerned about her well-being.”

The wagon bumped over a hole, jostling us together. Mrs. Compton let out a sigh as she slumped in her seat, her intensity evaporating.

“Forgive me, Mrs. Holloway, but I’ve been so worried. I’m certain something terrible has happened. It’s not like Nurse Betts to stay long from the Hospital. She’s a responsible girl, good with the children.”

I kept my tone as gentle as I could. “When did she go?”