“That would be illegal.”
Numerous ill-advised responses crossed her mind about how no one would have known about it if not for her illegal snooping and stealing. “I think you’ll find, in conjunction with the formula, it’s relevant to your investigation. The plant is a new species of aconite, one that doesn’t appear in any books I’ve been able to get my hands on.”
Saffron pointed out some salient features, to which the inspector nodded minutely and notated. When Saffron asked about the type of poison used on Mrs. Henry, he glanced at her warily. His silence was confirmation that they still hadn’t identified it.
After another pregnant pause, Saffron added, “The only reason we’ve brought this to your attention is because it seems likely that this plant is connected to the poisoning. It’s possible that Dr. Berking needed a new kind of aconite to camouflage a crime. It would be well within his skills to breed a new species. This new species might have a different chemical composition, perhaps included in that formula. The garden bed where we found the plant had recently been cleared, so there were likely more plants that were taken and perhaps used.” She glanced at Alexander, who gave her an encouraging nod. “It would be easy enough to have it tested, Inspector. If the toxins in the plant match what was in Mrs. Henry’s blood, then you could be sure about Dr. Berking’s involvement.”
Saffron was rather at a loss. The deadpan policeman didn’t seem at all interested in their evidence. She was ready to get up and leave when she realized they hadn’t said anything about the equipment forms.
“We also discovered”—now Inspector Green showed the slightest hint of exasperation as she continued—“that Dr. Henry has submitted requests for an outstanding amount of supplies for the expedition, running to hundreds of pounds. The other members of the expedition have asked for only a fraction of what Dr. Henry asked for. We wondered if he was perhaps involved in embezzlement of the expedition funds. That would set him up to be either a target of someone trying to cover up their mistake or involvement, or as someone with something to hide.”
This seemed to mean something to the inspector, who paused in his writing and looked up. “Where did you obtainthisinformation?”
Alexander explained his observations when he’d visited Richard Blake’s office.
Leaning forward in her chair, Saffron asked, “Do you think Mr. Blake might be connected to both the poisoning and the embezzlement? He is known to have had a quarrel with Dr. Henry about joining the team and the funding. And he was possibly having an affair with Mrs. Henry.”
The inspector gave her a piercing look. “I beg your pardon?”
With another glance to Alexander, whose expression said she was on her own with that particular theory, Saffron said, “Well, I … I saw them speak together at the party, and they exchanged some significant looks. Mrs. Henry, in the conversation I overheard during the party, was well aware of Dr. Henry’s various, ah,friendships.” She contemplated sharing the letters they’d found, but her theories about Miss Ermine seemed unimportant now. “Miss Ermine mentioned to me that Mrs. Henry was not exactly faithful herself.”
“I see.” Inspector Green finished his notes, then shook Alexander’s hand and then Saffron’s, whereupon he said, “No more investigating. If I hear of further misconduct, from eitherof you, I shall have to place you under arrest for interfering with a police investigation. If you learn further information, please refer it to me.” He said the words firmly, without his usual disinterest.
Saffron and Alexander stepped into a teashop down the street to recoup. They settled at a small table and soon had a fresh pot of tea before them.
Alexander shook his head, saying, “I never have any clue what Inspector Green is thinking.”
“Ha! Now you know how it feels! You can be just as cryptic.”
“I do more than frown and write. He must be a very successful interviewer. We didn’t get a thing out of him.”
“Alexander, I rather think you’ve caught the bug!” Saffron grinned.
His eyes warmed over his teacup. As he set it back down, he said, “I think we know that the embezzlement idea is relevant, at least. That was the only part he was interested in.”
“Yes.” Saffron patted her mouth with a napkin, frowning. “But what connection is there between the aconite, Dr. Berking, and the embezzlement? Berking was in on the embezzlement? Perhaps the conflict between Berking and Henry is a ruse to disguise their alliance. Dr. Henry used Berking’s skills to create a mysterious toxin to poison his wife or perhaps Blake?” Saffron mused, stirring her tea. “There are simply too many possibilities.”
“The inspector has far more information than we do, and now we’ve given him even more to consider. I’m sure he will figure it out. After all, he is trained to solve crimes.”
Saffron, curiosity still burning, said, “But it could be weeks before he solves it! You could be stuck in the Amazon with a murderer by then!”
“Plants and poisons may be in your wheelhouse, but an embezzlement scheme is better handled by the police.” Alexandersmiled, his tone softening. “If we see or hear anything else, we can let Inspector Green know.”
The bus jostled Saffron and Alexander together and apart in turn as it trundled back toward Fitzrovia. As they entered the Quad, Saffron paused, asking, “Should I have told him about Eris Ermine and the letters? It could be important, and the inspector might not know about her involvement with Dr. Henry.”
“I can’t imagine that didn’t come up in his interviews with the other witnesses,” Alexander replied. “And it would necessitate you revealing you looked through Dr. Henry’s desk in addition to—”
Saffron was nearly knocked to the ground when a blur of a figure pushed into her. Alexander caught her arm and Harry Snyder, with pink cheeks and an overwrought expression, gasped, “Terribly sorry, Miss Everleigh.”
“Mr. Snyder? Whatever is the matter?” Saffron asked.
“Just was running to collect you,” Snyder said to Alexander, panting. “Dr. Henry has called a meeting of the expedition crew, and I have to gather everyone quickly.” He gulped and mopped his brow with his handkerchief, further mussing his black hair. “We’re meeting in South Quad Hall in the conference room on the third floor. Could you come now, please? The meeting is at two o’clock, and I’ve got six other people to find!”
Alexander quickly agreed and Snyder turned to leave.
“Mr. Snyder,” Saffron said sweetly, stalling his rushed departure, “I don’t mean to be intrusive, but would you like me to come and take notes for the meeting? I’m sure you usually are tasked with it, but why should you have to sit scribbling what everyone else says? I know you have so much to contribute.”
Snyder, clearly overwhelmed with the urgency of the meeting, merely stared at her for a moment before babbling, “Oh yes,Miss Everleigh, how kind of you. I usually do have to take notes during such meetings as Dr. Henry’s assistant, but it would be nice to be able to participate for once.”
