Page 46 of Solving Sophronia

Sergeant Lester sat back in his chair. “How do we proceed then, sir?”

Jonathan sank into his own chair, tossing the sergeant a peppermint and then putting one into his own mouth. He folded the empty sack, disappointed to have eaten the last sweet.

He could think of only one plan they’d not pursued, and the idea of doing it—of attending tomorrow’s ball—left him with a pit in his stomach. There must be something else.

The hour was nearly ten when Sergeant Abner poked his head into Detective Graham’s office. “Beg your pardon, Detective. A lady’s here to speak with you, sir.” He glanced over his shoulder.

Constable Hutchings appeared in the doorway behind the desk sergeant, looking excited. “An elegant lady, sir.”

Sergeant Lester perked up. “Lady Sophronia?” He hurried from the office. Jonathan heard his voice echoing though the station as the sergeant gave an impromptu tour. He entered a few moments later with Miss Bremerton on his arm. “And here is Detective Graham’s office. Desk’s rather untidy at the moment.” He swept an arm toward the chair he’d vacated.

Jonathan stood. “Good morning, Miss Bremerton.” Abner was right; she did look elegant, making the room appear shabby by comparison.

“Nice to see you, Detective.” She handed a piece of paper across the desk. “The list of Kingsclere Hunting Club members. As you see, it is quite extensive.”

Jonathan glanced at the paper, and his insides dropped. He retook his seat, looking closer at the names. There were well over seventy. “Have we an idea which of these attended the event Monday?”

“I made a few discreet inquiries.” She came around to his side of the desk and leaned over his shoulder, pointing. “A star beside the name means he attended for certain. AnXindicates he did not attend. And this little circle means he arrived late. As you see, I managed to identify only a very few.”

Jonathan was tempted to glance up at her but feared if he did, she’d move away. And he liked the feel of her so close.

Sergeant Lester leaned across the desk and peered at the list as well, viewing it upside down. “It is a good start, my lady.”

She looked up, but instead of responding, Miss Bremerton gasped, looking past the detective. “Gracious, what on earth? What is this?” She pushed past the sergeant to the side of the room and moved a pile of papers away, revealing a pair of taxidermic rabbits in boxing clothes. The animals were enclosed in a miniature pugilist ring and posed in the act of fighting.

Jonathan had grown so used to the rabbits on the top of his cabinet that he’d completely forgotten about them. Aside from a photograph of Queen Victoria on his wall, the animals were the only adornment in his office.

Miss Bremerton touched one of the animal’s ears. “Good heavens. I’ve never seen anything like this.”

Jonathan rose. A burst of defensiveness flared inside him at the idea that the woman would be repulsed by the dead animals and that she would say as much within hearing of Sergeant Lester. “Miss Brem—”

“How utterly charming,” she interrupted before he could distract her. “Look at the tiny gloves. And their fluffy little tails. Wherever did you find such a thing, Detective?”

Relief relaxed the tension in Jonathan’s gut, and he sat down again in his chair. “The display was created by Sergeant Lester.”

“No.” She touched her breastbone and turned to the sergeant, who had gone completely red. “This is absolutely splendid, Sergeant. I didn’t realize you possessed such a talent.”

Sergeant Lester shrugged, looking as pleased as a stray cat that had come across a misplaced Christmas turkey. “I do enjoy my wee friends.”

“And are you a pugilist, then, Detective Graham?” she asked.

Now it was Jonathan’s turn to shrug and look modest. “I box now and then.” He rose and stuck the hunting club list to the board beside the list of assembly hall employees, glad for an excuse to turn away.

“’e’s just bein’ humble. Scrappy one, Detective Graham is. A real bruiser. Learned to fight as a lad in—”

“That’s enough small talk,” Jonathan interrupted, not wanting the conversation to continue on its current course. “We’ve three murders to solve.”

“Yes.” Miss Bremerton moved back past the sergeant and took a seat in the other chair across the desk from Jonathan. “What new developments have we?” She looked up at the board behind him, her brow wrinkling. “Did you saythreemurders?”

“Aye,” Sergeant Lester said. “Found another stiff just yesterday.”

Miss Bremerton rose again and came around the desk to look closer at the photograph.

Jonathan stepped toward her, blocking her path.

Miss Bremerton nearly ran into him. She stopped, grabbing on to his arm to keep her balance, then took a step back, releasing her hold.

“It’s not a pretty sight, miss,” Jonathan said. “Perhaps you’ll just take our word for it.”

---