“No,” Mira said. “We’re missing a necklace.”
“Are we?” Inspector Rutledge said.
“Mrs. Risewell’s grandmother’s necklace. It was made of amethyst and jade. Theresia described it to me when she discovered it was missing.”
The five of them turned back to the assortment on the table.
“What do you make of it, Inspector?” Byron asked.
“Erm. Well. Perhaps Miss Risewell only misplaced it. Or the necklace is hidden somewhere in his room at Wynmar.”
“There is one other piece of evidence that we found at Wynmar yesterday,” Byron said. “Rounds of ice, uniform in size, that suggest a horse was taken to the top of the ridge and then returned to the stable. My prevailing thought is that Mr. Treadway intended to hand the stolen goods off to a partner. I doubt he would forget such a significant piece of jewelry.”
“Do you have a theory, then?” Rutledge said, lips pressed together in a thin white line.
“I do. Though I currently lack the proof to ratify it. Would you, and some of your constables, be so kind as to accompany us to Wynmar Park?”
“Well . . .”
McGuire perked up. “We really ought to account for the location of the necklace, sir.”
Inspector Rutledge sighed. “Very well, then.”
“Excellent.” Byron turned to Walker, writing something down in his journal and tearing the page out. “Would you follow us there after completing these instructions?”
Walker’s brow furrowed as he read the page. “I’m meant to be chaperoning you, Constantine.”
“Right you are,” Byron turned to the inspector. “You wouldn’t mind if one of your constables took on that role, would you Inspector?”
“I suppose not.”
Byron nodded, heading for the door. He stopped on the threshold and spun around. “Oh, and incidentally, you may want to bring two carriages, because I believe we’ll be making an arrest.”
***
After some negotiation, the police headed outto Wynmar Park. By some stroke of luck, Mira and Byron were assigned to a carriage with only one policeman—Constable Welter. It wasn’t exactly private, but he was better than some of the chaperones they had had as of late, especially when, with an hour left in the drive, the rocking sensation of the wheels lulled the man to sleep.
“And what is the grand mastermind up to now?” Mira asked, keeping her voice pitched low.
“Hm?”
“With Walker. You have a plan.”
“I have a theory. Though part of me hopes that I’m incorrect. I sent him to the only jeweler in town.”
“You think someone has already sold the necklace?” Mira frowned. “But if Mr. Treadway had passed the necklace to his partner, why did he have the other jewelry on him?”
“I never said that Mr. Treadway took the necklace.”
Mira’s eyes widened. “You don’t think... you don’t think it was Theresia, do you?”
“Now, why would I think that?” Byron’s eyes smiled.
“She’s the one who said it was stolen. But why would she have taken it?”
“I have a theory about that too. I’m surprised you haven’t thought of it yet.”
“Can’t you give me a little hint?”
