The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 1672: Chapter 50: A Weasel Offering New Year’s Greetings to a Hen (Part 3)

For this reason, none of the radicals involved in the riot were killed, but Scotland Yard suffered heavy losses.

However, their good intentions were completely wasted. Fleet Street continued to attack Scotland Yard as usual, and the jury was even unwilling to convict the murderer.

Under such circumstances, not to mention the rough-and-tumble men of Scotland Yard, even a gentle noblewoman would be fired up.

Although the special committee of the Lower House exonerated the Minister of Scotland Yard and the police afterwards, believing that Scotland Yard’s actions were lawful and appropriate, and revoked the murderer’s acquittal.

But this investigative result in the eyes of the officers not only did not provide any comfort but instead added fuel to the fire.

By comparison, more people at Scotland Yard missed Inspector Hastings.

The cold wind after the rain swirled again, and the cobblestones on Whitehall twinkled with the faint light reflected from the water droplets.

The air was filled with a damp earthy smell, occasionally accompanied by the clatter of carriages and the distant chimes of a bell.

Rowan, reflecting on these past years, couldn’t help but sigh. He walked through the streets of Whitehall, his steps almost without any hesitation, heading towards the Scotland Yard headquarters at 4 Whitehall. Sir Richard Mayne, the deputy, followed closely, muttering incessantly about the details of today’s Home Office meeting.

There was a note of resentment in Sir Mayne’s tone: ”Charles, Viscount Duncannon’s attitude is too obvious. That kind of evasive and indifferent attitude, does he really think London’s security work can just muddle through like this?”

Rowan merely nodded, not responding at all.

Seeing Rowan not respond, Sir Mayne lowered his head and continued to mutter to himself, not noticing that they had already reached the entrance to Scotland Yard.

From the lobby came bursts of noise, and Officer George on duty at the door, upon seeing Rowan arrive, hurriedly stood at attention and saluted, shouting loudly, ”Sir!”

It was obvious that George’s shout had a bit of a warning tone, but the noise in the lobby showed no sign of diminishing, and in fact, some officers’ voices grew even louder.

Frowning, Rowan, with already bad spirits, intensified, asked, ”What’s going on inside?”

George, standing at attention and looking straight ahead, replied, ”Report! Maybe... they’re celebrating some festival today?”

”Festival?” Sir Mayne glanced at him crossly, ”Festivals are the busiest times!”

Just as Sir Mayne was about to go in and scold them, a familiar face suddenly appeared in his sight.

It was a figure he knew all too well, though they hadn’t seen each other for some time, that indifferent smile had never changed, as if time had left no trace on him, just like the portrait at the entrance depicted.

Arthur Hastings, the most familiar stranger at Scotland Yard.

Sir Mayne paused and then murmured, ”How... how is he here?”

Rowan stood at the entrance, his gaze never leaving Arthur, this forty-year-old Army Colonel tidied his uniform.

”Why can’t he come?” Rowan finally said, his voice low yet powerful, ”The ’Royal’ prefix of Scotland Yard was earned by him risking his life.”

Sir Mayne’s eyes widened, then he chuckled quietly, ”That’s true.”

Rowan did not respond to Sir Mayne’s words, but simply stepped towards the lobby. The noise in the lobby suddenly quieted down, the relaxed smiles on the officers’ faces vanished, replaced by solemn expressions, and all eyes were focused on Rowan and Arthur.

Arthur had also noticed Rowan’s arrival, shifting his gaze from his old colleagues before him to Rowan standing at the entrance.

His polite smile remained unchanged, even carrying a hint of friendliness and ease.

He walked towards Rowan unhurriedly, as if he had long known he would meet Rowan here.

”Sir, we meet again.” Arthur’s voice was as calm as ever, with a trace of barely noticeable warmth. He raised his hand in salute before shaking the hand Rowan extended, ”I heard a lot about the changes at Scotland Yard. It seems you’ve handled them quite orderly.”

Rowan stood there, staring at him, apparently in no hurry to respond.

Turmoil surged in his heart, filled with old emotions and some complexity.

Finally, he took a deep breath and slowly spoke, ”If you were still here, maybe I could have handled it better.”

Rowan’s voice was deep, as if this remark was not just an evaluation of Arthur but more like a self-deprecating remark on his years of solitary struggle, ”After all, Scotland Yard can’t find a more outstanding officer than you.”

Arthur clearly understood what Rowan’s words meant, but many things were not suitable to be discussed too openly in public.

Rowan glanced around before slowly speaking, ”Do you have time? If you do, come to my office for a chat.”

Sir Mayne, listening to this, glanced at Rowan, then turned to the officers watching the excitement and scolded, ”Have all the cases been resolved? London’s been having fire alarms every day these past few days, and the report on damaged property has been delayed for weeks?”

Arthur nodded gently, walking alongside Rowan towards the office upstairs, while Sir Mayne stayed in the lobby. It was clear he had no intention of disturbing these two former colleagues.

Rowan opened the office door, gesturing for Arthur to sit down, while he took off his coat and turned to take a box of treasured Havana cigars from the cabinet.

”Same as three years ago, I don’t have any alcohol here, but if you want some tea, I can brew some.”

Arthur didn’t sit down immediately but walked to the window, looking out at the scene outside, ”It’s quite cold outside today, a hot cup of tea would be nice.”

Rowan glanced at him, drew out a cigar, lit it, and casually tossed the matchbox on the table, ”Did you come today to hold me accountable or to defend me?”

Arthur smiled slightly, looking back at Rowan, ”You always seem to know what I’m thinking, sir. Today, I’m not here to hold you accountable, just wanted to see you after so long.”

Rowan exhaled a puff of smoke, ”After so long? You really know how to find excuses. Your eagerness to lecture me probably doesn’t fall short of your urge to see me. Come on, Arthur, even though we aren’t what you’d call friends, we did work together for many years. We all know each other well. You’re not with Scotland Yard anymore, so let’s not beat around the bush.”