Charlotte went very still. “How so?”
He raised a brow. “The lads didn’t describe it to you in gory detail?”
“No. They merely said you had stumbled upon a body and were of the opinion that it was a quarrel among thieves.”
“Don’t look daggers at me,” he replied. “Thatwaswhat I thought at the time. Given the information I have now, I see things differently.” The earl took up a spoon and turned it slowly between his fingers. “Ashton’s clothing was ripped at the seams—clearly his murderer was searching for something. And his belly was slashed, indicating rage at not finding it. Logic says it wasn’t a random crime.”
“What was the murderer after?”
“Presumably technical drawings or a description of theinvention. According to Ashton’s widow, a patent on it would be worth a king’s ransom.”
Patents.While researching her latest print series, she had become aware of how powerfully profitable they were. That ideas were, like estate lands and Old Master paintings, valuable property whose rights could be owned had been an unfamiliar concept. But she could well understand how a new technological innovation—and the riches it would generate—might be a motivation for murder.
“I take it you found no clues at the scene.”
“No. I heard someone racing away from the body, but it was too dark to see anything. However, I do know that Ashton was lured to the area by a note from a so-called kindred spirit in science who wished to discuss a special partnership.”
“InSt. Giles?”
He made a face. “Both Ashton and his wife are unfamiliar with London. He had no idea that he was heading into the very heart of the city’s darkness.”
Charlotte felt a welling of anger at such deadly deceit. It seemed horribly wrong that a man’s brilliance should cost him his life.
“Does she have any idea who the culprit could be?”
“I asked her to send me a list of those who knew of the invention.” He shifted on the stool. “She was very careful not to make any outright accusations, but she did suggest any questioning ought to begin with his secretary and laboratory assistant.”
“Did she say why?”
“Not in so many words. But it was obvious that there is no love lost between the three of them.”
Interesting.But first things first. “Getting back to the actual murder—describe the corpse and its surroundings as precisely as you can.”
His mouth tightened.
“For God’s sake, milord, the lads saw the scene—and I daresay they can tell me every bloody detail even more accurately than you can!”
“I don’t doubt it.” Wrexford chuffed a grunt. “What I was about to say is, I’m hoping you won’t show the slashed clothing or mutilation in your drawing. If the murderer doesn’t suspect that the crime is being seen as anything other than a random act of violence in a dangerous part of the city, it will make it easier to investigate and learn the truth.”
“I’m aware of that, sir,” she said softly. “Just as I’m aware that my livelihood depends on being one step ahead of my competition. I survive by feeding the public’s need for speculation.” A pause. “Misery loves company.”
Wrexford rose and began pacing the perimeter of the room. He was a big man and his long-legged stride made the space seem even smaller than it was.
“I realize that I am asking a great sacrifice on your part,” he said. “I would offer recompense for your loss of earnings—if I didn’t think you’d hurl it back in my face.”
“Taking a bribe to suppress facts would be the first step down the road to perdition.” Charlotte expelled a sigh. “Which is not to say I won’t act on moral principles, even if it means starving.”
“You’re the most popular satirical artist in London,” he murmured. “I daresay you won’t starve.”
“An exaggeration. My stock in trade.” Charlotte stilled the twitch of her lips. “I asked about the details only to decide how else to frame my drawing. The angle of the building, the lighting, the depth of the muck. I’d at least like to get some of the scene depicted correctly.”
Acknowledging her reasoning with a curt nod, he went on to describe the setting without further protest. His eye, as she well knew from their previous encounters, was just as sharp as his sarcasm.
“Thank you.” Charlotte added another few notes to her paper, then offered the earl her pencil. “Do me a favor and draw the distinctive Z-shaped slashes that you just described.”
“Why?”
“Because visuals help stimulate my thoughts about a crime.”
