Chapter ONE - Weebly

“That’s fine, sir. Thank you. A pleasure meeting
you, sir,” Ethan said to the elder Derne, “despite the
circumstances.”
The elder Derne smiled coldly, glanced once more
at his son, and then walked toward the house.
“Shall we?” Cyrus said, gesturing with an open hand
for Ethan to lead the way. “I take it you’ve already
spoken with Mister Berson.”
“I’ve just been at his home.”
“And you came straight to me.” The younger
Derne’s smile was much as his father’s had been a few
moments before. “Should I make anything of that?”
“I assure you it was simply a matter of convenience.
I don’t spend much time in the North End. And with the
Berson home so close to yours—”
“It’s all right, Mister Kaille. I was attempting a joke.
Apparently I failed.” They came to a corner and
continued down Fleet Street toward the wharves. “You
have questions for me,” Cyrus prompted.
“Yes, sir. When did you last see Miss Berson?”
“Yesterday,” the man said. “I had some business
elsewhere in the city that required my attention, but I