Stabbing Set with Sapphires
Page 21
After giving my statement to a very brusque Inspector Wainwright, I decided to tie up all of the loose ends and go to Kleinman and Co. for my final pay packet. When I arrived, the shop hadn’t opened yet, but all of the barriers had been removed from the back entrance, so I tried the bell. Miss Kleinman answered the door.
“They released you, then?”
“Yesterday afternoon. The inspector was rather vague, but it seems Miss Eaton was the mastermind.”
I followed her to her office. “That’s right. She strung Mr. Morris along so he could take the blame.”
“But then why kidnap Miss Crawford?”
“Her original plan was to make the robbery look like someone outside the shop did it with Miss Crawford’s key and the cast of her hand. Remember, she was the one who suggested it could be done that way. When we disproved that theory, she used Mr. Morris as her backup plan.”
“And the earlier robberies?”
“That I don’t know.”
“Insurance,” Mr. Kleinman said as he came into the office. “Mr. Morris was always hinting that we should have insurance on the stone. It wouldn’t surprise me if he committed those robberies himself to force me to take it out on the Heart of Night. Probably got cold feet and expected Tolland to expose the whole thing.”
Miss Kleinman took an envelope from her desk. “There’s a bonus in there for working more hours than we’d agreed and another for making sure I didn’t get hanged for murder.”
I tucked the envelope into my handbag. “That wasn’t really necessary.”
“We just wanted you to know how much we appreciated your help. Especially with avoiding the noose.”
I changed the subject. “Will the shop be all right now?”
“The insurance company was mortified about Mr. Tolland possibly blackmailing us, so that combined with the two constables who came here and approved our security measures means we’ll be all right on that front. Of course, there's more than a bit of hushing up over it, but they’re sending over a whole crew of appraisers and secretaries and everything to get the policy in place quickly. I hope you didn’t think we were dissatisfied with your work when we didn’t ask you to finish the job.”
“Not at all. I’ve been so distracted, I’m afraid I didn’t think of it at all.” Although now that I did, I realized I didn’t want to be anywhere near the shop for quite a while once I left today.
“And we’ve been discussing moving away from fine stones and towards more mechanical pieces. Less temptation for criminals.”
“That sounds nice.”
“I think so. Maybe I can move some of the administrative tasks to Daniel and get to play in the design room more often. Did you ever find out what the blackmail was about?”
I shrugged. “You know how Inspector Wainwright is.”
“Yes, unfortunately. Next time we need typing done, we’ll keep you in mind, if you don’t mind.”
It seemed quite rude to say “please don’t,” so I settled for, “If you don’t mind risking more bodies. They do seem to follow me around.”
Miss Kleinman smiled, but I wasn’t sure that she thought the joke was any funnier than Inspector Wainwright would have. I gathered up my handbag, said some polite nonsense about hoping to see them again, and went out to find something for my tea then take the Underground home to begin work on the nice, boring paper for an Oxford don waiting on my desk. I didn’t think there was any chance of dead bodies turning up over a study of the economic forces leading to the decline of Sparta, but with my luck, one never knew.
Cassie Pengear's adventures continue in Cassie Pengear Mysteries book 4: A Spartan Murder
When Cassie Pengear is summoned to Oxford as a suspect in a murder, she assumes it’s by one of the Scotland Yard Inspectors who don’t appreciate her occasional help. She’s surprised to learn it’s from her friend Inspector Burrows and even more startling, he actually begins to give her information on the case of a murdered Oxford don. Startling until she realizes his two best suspects are committing a crime Inspector Burrows would rather overlook simply by being together. Now she’s keeping suspects' secrets while investigating blackmail and murder. approx. 53,000 words or 200 pages
learn more at
https://lanisula.com/books/a-spartan-murder/
Cassie Pengear’s adventures continue in A Spartan Murder
When Cassie Pengear is summoned to Oxford as a suspect in a murder, she assumes it’s by one of the Scotland Yard Inspectors who don’t appreciate her occasional help. She’s surprised to learn it’s from her friend Inspector Burrows and even more startling, he actually begins to give her information on the case of a murdered Oxford don. Startling until she realizes his two best suspects are committing a crime Inspector Burrows would rather overlook simply by being together. Now she’s keeping suspects' secrets while investigating blackmail and murder. approx. 53,000 words or 200 pages
to learn more, go to https://lanisula.com/books/a-spartan-murder/
About the Author
L. A. Nisula also writes fantasy novels under the name Lisa Anne Nisula. You can find out more about her and her other books at http://www.lanisula.com and http://www.LisaAnneNisula.com