Brodie’s gaze narrowed. “Ye smell it as well then.”
Kearney nodded. “One can’t work the fires all these years in all sorts of places and not know it—coal oil, usually used to start a stove fire that gets away and you have a nasty situation.”
“How fast would such a fire spread?” Brodie asked.
“It would depend on the amount of coal oil used, which seems a bit odd for a warehouse where coffee was stored. And then, what set it off? A small amount spilt by accident might not have been the cause.”
“Supposedly it started late at night, an oil lamp that was left burning after a shipment arrived, and the fire got away and took most of the building.”
“I remember the news articles about it at the time. Tragic situation for Harris, and he supposedly tried to put it out before the brigade arrived.”
“Aye,supposedly,” Brodie commented.
“You believe the fire was deliberately set? For the insurance money?”
“No claim was every made according to articles that were published afterward. And that smell of coal oil would seem to contradict the story of simple lamp oil. And coal oil spread about, at least on that wall?” Brodie added. “There is a manager still there who keeps watch over the place.”
“Have you spoken with him? He might be able to tell you something.”
“He was… less than cooperative, “Brodie replied. “It seems that he receives a stipend each month to watch over the site.”
“You know as well that a warehouse fire is not unusual, particularly when the owner is perhaps deeply in debt. And that piece of wood would seem suspicious.”
“Aye. I thank ye for confirming what I thought.”
“I hear your inquiry business has done well.”
“Well enough, although we may be forced to leave the building. There is a new owner and the rents always go up.”
“I hear other things as well,” Captain Kearney added. “One of the lads picked up word that you have someone working for you now. A woman, he said.”
Brodie thought about that before replying.
“In a manner of speaking. She is an associate for some of the inquiry cases, and my wife.”
It was not often that he needed to explain, but he was finding that it came more easily now.
Kearney’s eyes widened above that handlebar mustache.
“Wife, is it?” he exclaimed. “My Molly said it would never happen. The woman must be special.”
“Aye,” Brodie replied. “That she is.”
He had what he wanted, confirmation of his own suspicions, yet was not certain what it meant to their current investigation.
If Harris had set fire to his own warehouse and was then caught in it, it wouldn’t be the first time someone found himself in financial difficulties and then took such drastic measures.
“I thank ye kindly for yer thoughts in the matter, and the coffee.”
“Ha! Married!” Captain Kearney slapped his knee and broke out in laughter as he left.
It was after midday when he returned to the office on the Strand.
He didn’t expect Mikaela to be there. After meeting with Sir Laughton that afternoon, she would go to Sussex Square to join Lady Montgomery and Lily before setting off for the cabaret.
He understood the responsibility she felt to find answers for the murders after bringing Lily from Edinburgh, and he agreed with her that they must find those answers.
“Miss Forsythe was here earlier,” Mr. Cavendish informed him as he stepped down from the cab.
