She looked confused. “But aren’t the police conducting an investigation?”
“They are,” I admitted. “However, in my experience, it is still a good idea for one to pursue all possible avenues of inquiry.”
“You mean … you don’t trust them,” she said meekly.
For a brief moment, I regretted that I was about to shatter her illusion. “No, Mrs. Braithwaite,” I said gently. “I’m afraid I don’t. And I must do everything I can to protect my sister.”
She sucked in a sharp breath as understanding dawned. “Oh, dear lord. They think she might have done it?”
“I believe she is a suspect, yes. But she did not kill Charles. I am absolutely certain of that.”
“No. No, of course, she didn’t,” Mrs. Braithwaite said,then her face fell. “But, oh. She could go to prison—she couldhang!”
“Calm yourself, Mrs. Braithwaite. We are a ways off from that, at least at the moment. That is why you must tell me anything that may be of use.”
She nodded. “I will. I promise. And I’ll ask Benjamin anything too.”
“That would be very helpful,” I said with genuine gratitude.
Chapter 14
Mrs. Braithwaite left a short time later, as she needed to be home to greet her husband. But she promised to ask him everything he knew about Charles and write when she had more information.
I then remained in the parlor alone, mulling over all I had learned. I was determined to speak to Mr. Henshaw next and felt confident he would know more about Charles Pearson’s dealings. But it was the mention of the figurines that spurred another memory long forgotten. While working at the embassy, Oliver had often lamented the Greek government’s poor laws on the antiquities trade, which allowed for the export of artifacts if they were labeled as duplicates or considered superfluous. Unsurprisingly, these labels were often applied with abandon and with the full knowledge of the superintendent of antiquities. Oliver’s attitude seemed at odds with Mr. Dorian’s accusations about him trading on the black market. But perhaps it had all been some kind of misunderstanding and my husband had actually been rescuing these artifacts? I let out a sigh and pressed my hands to myface. Was I just being hopelessly naïve again or was this something I could actually prove?
As I didn’t have time at the moment to embark on yet another investigation, I decided to focus on a task I could actually complete. I had just resolved to go upstairs and check on Delia when the door to the parlor swung open and my mother entered.
“Morris told me you were in here,” she said by way of greeting.
I rose as she approached. “Hello, Mother.” Then I bussed her cheek, and we both sat down.
“Did you speak with that Mrs. Braithwaite?” she asked.
“Yes. She was very helpful.”
My mother tsked. “I should hope so, given that she is the reason your sister is in this mess in the first place.”
“That is quite a leap, Mother. The woman merely introduced her to Charles. She isn’t responsible for Delia’s actions afterwards.”
She waved a hand in frustration. “I know all that,” she said crossly. “Still, she should have known better.”
It was on the tip of my tongue to askwhoshould have known better, but it felt fruitless. We weren’t going to agree on this, so I decided to change the subject. “You were out making calls today?”
She perked up a little. “Yes. I’ve just come from Lady Asquith’s. I thought it best to pay my calls as usual, so as not to create any suspicion,” she added.
I raised an eyebrow. “I can’t imagine any of that set know of Delia’s connection to Mr. Pearson.”
My mother wrinkled her nose. “Of course not. People spoke of the murder, of course. But no one said anything about Delia and we must do everything in our power to keep it that way.” I relaxed a little. Her reputation was still safe, for now. “I did meet an old school friend of yours while Iwas there. Mrs. Wentworth. She is Lady Asquith’s niece. You probably remember her as Miss Cecelia Morton.”
I perked up. “Yes, we were at Girton together.”
We hadn’t kept in touch after I left England, but I had always liked Cecelia.
My mother nodded. “A very amiable young woman. Her husband works at the Home Office, and she has two boys and a girl.”
I couldn’t help bristling at the approval in her voice. “How nice.”
“I believe her husband was also friends with Oliver at Cambridge.”
