“The photographs very definitely were made with a glass plate camera. That is the reason the images are so clear. That narrows down who was there the night at Hyde Park and then again on the street when the photograph was taken of Catherine Thorpe.”
“Are ye quite finished?”
“My aunt has arranged for a photographer to be at the party tonight. It could be useful to speak with him as well and then my sister mentioned a photographic exhibit at the museum,” I continued on.
“It is obvious that the photographer is the key to finding out who might have murdered both young women.”
“Mikaela…”
There was something in the sound of my name, something low that had me leaning much closer.
“Yes?”
And now… there was a faint creak at the door as it was opened.
“Mr. Cavendish rang the bell at the landing,” Lily announced with an amused expression on her face as she poked her head through the opening at the door.
“Fancy that, a bell to announce a delivery. He said it was from the Public House. It smells right fine!”
She disappeared back into the outer office.
“Fancy that,” Brodie repeated, his mouth brushing mine. I could have sworn there was a grin amidst the dark beard.
I was suddenly starving, and it had nothing to do with luncheon from the Public House.
* * *
I spent the next hour going over what I’d learned from Davey Morris with Brodie, regarding glass plate photographs as opposed to film photographs.
“Photographs?” Lily remarked with interest. “Is that for your new case?”
She had been studying the board where I’d made my earlier notes. Brodie and I exchanged a look.
From our encounter during the case in Edinburgh I was more than aware of her keenness as well as her maturity, something I would have identified with at the same age. I was careful with my explanation.
“This photograph?” she pointed out the one of Amelia Mainwaring with the second one of Catherine Thorpe.
Perhaps it wasn’t a good idea to bring her there. However, what was done was done. It was just a matter of not revealing too much and saving it for later when Brodie and I were alone once more.
I frowned at the expression on his face. He was very definitely enjoying all of this far too much.
“Yes, a photograph of… our client.” That seemed the best explanation, just a bit of a stretch of the truth.
“Poor thing, looks like she’s dead. I seen pictures like this before in the daily, some important blighter wot got himself runned over by a coach and team of horses, a real stramash. Saw the real thing when it happened. Nasty bit, that. Wouldna even recognized him the way they fixed him up, starin’ like that as if he was still alive.”
Brodie coughed. He was enjoying this far too much!
Late of the afternoon, with the Strand full of ghosts, goblins, a woman— at least I assumed it was a woman, dressed as Little Bo Peep. It seemed there was little more we would accomplish this day in the matter of our case.
I had made my new notes at the chalkboard with Brodie’s information,to be discussed later.
Now, I gathered up my bag with my costume as Lily’s had gone on ahead with my aunt and sister, and prepared to depart.
“Are ye comin’ then, Mr. Brodie?” Lily insisted.
“By all means, Mr. Brodie,” I added.
He winced. Lily tucked her arm through his.
