Quentin also well knew that here in England, the poverty-stricken were regularly prosecuted on theft charges. The indigent could be hung for pickpocketing so much as a penny. Quentin wouldneverrisk his life in such a foolish way. Or force Viv to relive her grief at the loss of her last living family member.
Her lungs seized and her throat closed up just thinking about it.
“I agree with Miss Henry,” Jacob said. “At least with regard to Olivebury. Given that Quentin wouldbethe current Viscount Ayleswick, if the lord had married Quentin’s mother, it would make more sense for Quentin to rob the half-brother who took his place in the aristocracy, rather than a total stranger.”
“Then who did it?” asked Elizabeth. “This would be far easier if Olivebury would just tell us what the thief stole.”
“Offering our services was the first thing I tried,” said Graham.“Olivebury refuses to speak to me. He hasn’t answered a single call or letter.”
Viv gave him a considering look. “Maybe that’s because you’re… you?”
Graham raised his brows. “Are you referring to my skin color, or the fact that I’m a Wynchester?”
“Both,” she admitted.
Though from her perspective, the Wynchesters as a whole lived a life of privilege… for some of them, life was still sometimes cruel and arbitrary and unfair.
Elizabeth leaned on her sword stick. “Mr. Olivebury may not be an aristocrat, but now that Philippa’s father has retired, Olivebury is one of the most important voices in the House of Commons. What he says, others believe. Where he goes, others follow.”
“Didn’t he work with Faircliffe on the factory reform bill?” asked Jacob.
Graham nodded. “Yes. He’s been one of the duke’s best allies for years. Their progressive politics is why neither has been elected speaker of their respective houses.”
“With so much in common, perhaps Olivebury would open up about the robbery at his gentleman’s club, over a brandy or two,” Viv suggested.
“Superficial confidants might not be enough,” Jacob. “The plan ought to include a firsthand look at the scene of the crime.”
Viv nodded slowly. “If that were possible, you ought to be the one to lead the search.”
They all stared at her, uncomprehending.
“Did you say… Jacob?” Elizabeth repeated.
“He’s the reason anyone drew a connection between Quentin’s disappearance and my missing plays in the first place,” Viv reminded her. “Sometimes we don’t know what we’re looking for until we stumble across it.”
Jacob suddenly became very interested in picking invisible lint off his waistcoat.
Graham closed his notebook. “We can send a team to sneak in while Faircliffe attempts to charm Olivebury at a club.”
“I never say no to a good infiltration,” said Tommy. “Let’s do it.”
“I don’t havetimeto do it.” Marjorie groaned. “I can barely spare a minute to forge a set of keys, much less pick locks in person.”
“I didn’t say we should break laws ourselves,” said Viv. “It’s irresponsible and an unnecessary risk to behave like a villain.”
“Take that back,” Elizabeth protested. “We’re not the villains.”
Viv snorted. “You’re not morally different, if you think it’s fine for you to break rules when they get in your way, but you nonetheless expect others to adhere to them.”
Marjorie gasped. “Not morally different!”
“Even if you’ve never blackmailed anyone,” Viv began.
The family exchanged glances.
“—or kidnapped someone—”
The Wynchesters smirked.
