“It is not an instance of proof,” Stuart replied, “but I have come across an irregularity.”
Arch straightened slightly in his chair. “An irregularity in what direction—criminal or merely creative?”
“In her banking withdrawals,” Stuart said calmly, “or rather in the timing of them.”
Arch felt the air in the room shift.
“Explain,” Renforth said.
Stuart turned over the page and read from his notes. “Miss Vale’s estate disbursements are generally ordered at the beginning of each quarter. Agricultural improvements, tenant repairs, mill maintenance, wages—everything is documented with precision. However, in the past six months, there have been three additional withdrawals outside the usual schedule.”
“Were they large?” Fielding asked.
“They were substantial,” Stuart replied. “Not ruinous, but significant enough to notice.”
“What was the justification given?”
“Factory modernization,” Stuart said, “specifically ventilation improvements and housing modifications.”
“That is not inherently suspicious,” Arch said, “and along the lines of something she may well have ordered herself.”
“Not inherently,” Stuart agreed, “except that one of the withdrawals was processed two days before she signed the authorization.”
Silence settled upon the men.
“Were they forged?” Baines asked lightly, though his eyes were intense.
“Not precisely,” Stuart said. “The signature appears genuine, but the request was logged earlier than the date it bears.”
Renforth folded his arms. “Which suggests?”
“Either the bank clerk is incompetent,” Stuart replied, “or the papers were routed through an intermediary before she saw it.”
“It must be Kendall,” Arch said quietly.
“Possibly,” Stuart said, “but the matter is delicate. If we confront the bank directly, word may reach him.”
Renforth nodded once. “We cannot alert him prematurely.”
Arch moved to the table, examining the figures for himself. The columns were neat. Clean. Predictable.
Stuart leaned back again, though his gaze remained alert. “So we must determine whether she signed in full knowledge of the amount—or whether the amount changed afterwards.”
“We must also do so without alerting either Miss Vale or her solicitor,” Renforth added.
“She must not feel watched,” Arch warned.
“No,” Renforth agreed. “However, I am more concerned about Kendall.”
Arch tapped the edge of the desk. “We could have the manager of the bank review the records under the guise of auditing estate security, as directed by Sir Percival. It would be a procedural inquiry, no more.”
“Too conspicuous,” Stuart said. “Kendall would hear of it.”
Arch straightened slowly. “Then we do not begin with the bank.”
All eyes turned to him.
“We begin with the ledgers in her own study,” he continued. “If copies differ—we will know where alteration occurred.”
