“Why announce it to the whole bloody group then?”
Blake must have made a reply, because Berking shook his head and said, “No, no, you’re right.”
They turned into the door leading into the Wilkins Building and began up the stairs. Saffron waited until they’d reached the first landing before she followed. She hadn’t heard a word Blake said, his voice was too quiet, but Berking’s side of the conversation sounded promising. They were at least discussing Dr. Henry.
“This should have been cleared up days ago,” Berking growled. “Getting close to the departure …”
Saffron crept up the deserted stairs after Berking’s voice faded. There would be more students to disguise her following them in the main halls, so she dashed up the remaining steps and promptly ran into someone standing at the landing. She dropped her bag, sending her pen, pencils, powder compact, keys, and notebook scattering across the black and white tiles.
“Oh, excuse me,” said Richard Blake, his low voice cool and even.
“I’m so sorry!” Saffron gasped, her voice high with dismay. Her eyes darted around, looking for where Berking might be lying in wait, but saw no one.
Blake stooped to help her pick up her things. He handed her pencils and her notebook, pausing to look at her as she placed them into her bag. “You were at the expedition meeting, weren’t you? Just now.”
“Yes, I was taking notes for Harry Snyder. I just …” Considering she had smashed into him in an otherwise lonely stairwell, she needed a reason to be following him. “I saw that you were there, Mr. Blake, and er, wanted to speak to you.”
He raised his brows in polite expectation and they rose to their feet. “I see. How may I assist you?”
“I wanted to ask you about, er …” Saffron cast around for something benign and landed on the photographs she’d passed by with Alexander earlier. “My father.”
Blake’s lips tipped up in a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. His eyes were blue, she noticed, but rather a watery blue. “Your father?”
Saffron cleared her throat and nodded, her idea forming quickly. “You see, my father was a professor here and died in the war almost five years ago and I’d been thinking that perhaps my family might want to make a contribution in his honor.”
“I see,” Blake replied.
His eyes flickered down her body, though not in the way she’d become used to. She realized that he was looking at the dust clinging to her skirt. Nervously, she brushed at it.
“Could I set up an appointment, perhaps? I can telephone my mother and grandparents this evening to get more specifics.”
Blake nodded. “Of course. Best to have one’s information prepared upfront, that way there is no delay in honoring your late father. Simply contact my secretary to find a time.”
Saffron smiled and nodded.
“May I ask his name?” he asked.
“Oh,” Saffron said, hitching her handbag farther up her arm. “Thomas Everleigh. He was a botany professor. I work in the department too.”
She thought she saw a flare of recognition in his eyes at the mention of her father’s name, though she couldn’t think of why his name would mean anything to Blake, especially as he wasn’t involved in the botany department apart from his apparent friendship with Berking. Had he heard about the disagreement between her and Berking? The thought made her teeth clench in a strained smile.
“Thomas Everleigh, my goodness,” Blake murmured with a slight smile. “I am sorry for your loss, Miss Everleigh. His heroic sacrifice does a credit to the Easting line. Well, we will ensure he is well remembered. Come to my office now, if you will, and we can get started.”
His disinterested tone soothed her concerns over Berking’s influence on him. If she went with him now, she’d perhaps get to snoop inside his office. But she also had no idea what she might say to him. How could she ask if a crime had been committed right under his nose? And she still had to prepare for Dr. Henry. One suspect at a time, she decided.
“I’m afraid I have some work to get done this afternoon,” Saffron said quickly.
Blake inclined his head. “I understand. If you please, come tomorrow, around two in the afternoon. I always make time for special bequests such as yours, Miss Everleigh.”
Saffron nodded and watched Blake walk away, disappearing around a corner in a rush of students exiting a classroom.
Flush with success, Saffron hurried off toward the North Wing. She had an appointment with yet another suspect.