“But why would anyone pull off such a gruesome stunt?” he said in a more normal voice now.

“I’m not quite sure yet, but it has something to do with the body in the trunk and the disappearance of Houdini,” I said.

“Molly!” He wagged a finger at me. “Are you still pursuing this when I made it very clear that you were to have no part in a criminal case?”

“I’m still employed by Houdini’s family,” I said cautiously. “They want him found and I’m trying to find him.” I felt bad as I said it, but then I reasoned that I wasn’t lying to my future husband. I was just leaving out the whole truth about Mr. Wilkie. “You can’t stop me from doing that,” I added to make myself feel better.

“Actually I can. I could have you arrested for interfering with police business,” he said.

“So have the police discovered what happened to Houdini yet? Has his body been discovered? Have they come up with any suspects or a motive for the crime?”

“Not as yet,” he said cautiously.

“Then maybe the police could use a little help,” I said.

He looked at me, head tilted sideways, then he laughed. “You’re impossible, do you know that?”

“So you’ve said before.”

“And you think that this Lily person is somehow responsible for Houdini’s disappearance? What motive would she have?”

“I’m not sure of that yet,” I said cautiously. “I will probably be able to tell you by tomorrow. How long do you think it will take to have the blood tested on this cloth?”

“I’ll have it sent round to the laboratory that does this kind of testing for us,” he said. “I don’t believe it should take them long.”

“Then let me know immediately,” I said. “I’ll be at Houdini’s house, keeping Bess company.”

“Thank heavens for small mercies,” he said. “At least you can’t get yourself into more trouble if you stay there with Mrs. Houdini and one of our men outside the door.” He put down the parcel and opened his door for me. “You’re really going directly there?”

“I really am,” I said.

“At least I’ll know where to find you for once.”

I paused in the doorway and looked back at him. “By the way, have you found Scarpelli yet?”

“No. We’ve pretty much given up looking for him,” he said. “We decided we’d never be able to prove that the unfortunate incident wasn’t accidental. And if it really turns out to be another illusion, then I’ll be glad we haven’t wasted the manpower.”

“His agent thinks he might be in Boston if you want him,” I said. And I gave him a big triumphant smile as I swept from the room.

Thirty-two