Constantine Capers: The Pennington Perplexity by Natalie Brianne (new ebook reader TXT) 📕

and opening it. He put his hand down into the cache and felt around. His hand came back up with nothing.

“I would guess that the blueprints were in here.”

Mira nodded. “So, they were stolen.”

“I believe that we need to have another little chat with Selene Vermielle.”

They left and took a hansom cab to Scotland Yard. Mira had since memorized the path to the chief inspector’s office, but she followed Byron, nonetheless. Soon enough they were in front of Miss Chickering’s desk once again.

“Mr. Constantine! What a pleasant surprise!”

“You are surprised to see me? I thought I came here on a frequent basis.”

“Well…um…you do. But…” Juliet flushed.

“Is Thatcher in?”

“Yes…yes, he is.” For once Juliet couldn’t find her words. Mira couldn’t help but smirk.

“Thank you. Mira?” He looked at her before knocking on the door and entering the office. Mira smiled at Juliet and followed him inside.

“Constantine! And Miss Blayse! I’m so glad you’re alright. The streets aren’t safe for a woman at night anymore.”

“Thank you, Inspector Thatcher.” Mira wondered what excuse Byron had made for her kidnapping. Byron waited for her to sit down before he took a seat himself.

“Of course. Now what can I help you with?”

Byron took out the notepad and the blotting paper and handed it over to him. “I believe we have some new evidence for you.”

Thatcher looked at the papers in silence for a few minutes.

“Where did you get this?” He looked up at them.

“The victim’s desk.” Byron replied.

“So, he was blackmailing Vaporidge over the smuggling hold.” Thatcher let out a long breath. “We’ll have to have a chat with the company owner.”

“Not yet I don’t think. If we play our hand too early, we may not find who murdered Pennington or find all the people that are involved.”

“You make a good point, Constantine. But I’m not sure how long we can wait.”

“Just give us a few more days. A week at the most,” Byron said.

“I’ll give you a week, but that’s as much as I can do for you. This case is getting cold.”

“Thank you. Now one more favor. Can we talk with Miss Vermielle again?”

“Of course.”

Byron turned to Mira, starting up a conversation while they waited for Selene to be brought down from the cells.

“Might I ask why you were upset this morning?”

“I thought we already discussed this. I’m fine.”

“Somehow, I don’t believe that.”

She went silent and looked down as he continued.

“If this is about continuing the investigation, you are under no obligation to work with me, I hope you know that.” He bent over to meet her eyes.

“No, it isn’t that at all! I do want to keep doing this. It’s just…”

He waited patiently for her response. She thought for a moment, mulling everything over. She wasn’t certain what to tell him. How could she tell him that she was in turmoil because of him? It would only hurt him, and there really wasn’t anything he could do to change. But if she lied, he would also know. He studied her face carefully. She looked down.

“Everything is fine. This morning was just a bit rough for me.”

He lifted her chin to look into her eyes. “Mira, you know you can talk to me about—”

He was cut off as the door opened and Officer Wensley entered, leading Selene by her handcuffs. He brought her in and sat her in the chair across from them, cuffing her to the table. He nodded to Byron before moving to the corner. Selene quickly made herself comfortable.

“Ah, Detective. You have more to say to me?” she purred.

“Yes. We’ve found some new evidence. I’m going to ask you a few more questions.” Byron took out his journal.

“Ask away.” The cat folded her arms.

“Did you steal anything of the victim’s?”

“No. There was nothing of interest. Much to my dismay.”

“Can you tell me exactly your movements within his rooms?”

“I can try. I entered through the window and immediately went into the bedroom. I checked under the mattress, and then in the drawers of the dresser, and then in the drawers of the desk. Since I knew he wouldn’t be there at that time, I didn’t bother to keep it clean. There was nothing in the bedroom. I checked under every cushion in the living room, behind every picture for a safe, but no. There was nothing. I left through the window as before.”

“You never looked in the piano?”

“No. Why would I look into a piano?” She looked confused.

“When exactly did you come and leave?”

“I came at ten o’clock like I said before. I left not more than twenty minutes after. In fact, it could have been less than fifteen, seeing as there was nothing to be found.”

“You are certain of that?”

“Yes.”

“Thank you. I believe that is all.” Byron finished the sentence he was writing. Mira spoke up.

“Wait. I have a question.”

The cat acknowledged Mira for the first time. She nodded slightly as if allowing Mira to speak. Byron looked at her.

“Have you changed your mind about telling us who told you the place would be empty?”

“No.”

“Was that person, or persons involved in a smuggling ring?”

The cat’s eyes narrowed. “I honestly don’t know. They could have been.”

Mira nodded. “Thank you.”

It was early afternoon when Mira and Byron walked out of Scotland Yard. They strolled slowly down the street.

“She could be lying.” Byron surmised.

“She could also be telling the truth.”

“Yes, we’re missing something still.”

“Where did he go when Selene was there, if she wasn’t the one who killed him?”

“As always, you are asking the right questions, Mira.”

“Then what is our next course of action? We can’t look at the crime scene again. It’s been cleaned, and we don’t exactly have any witnesses to talk to now.”

He paused in thought. Contemplating. He stopped walking almost as a physical representation of his pause. She stopped next to him.

“We go back to Palace Court to go over everything we know. And to have a cup of tea.”

He started back with a brisk footfall, his steps echoing off the building opposite. They reached his abode,