Page 60 of Inventing Vivian

“No.”

“He has answered your questions,” Benedict said, “and accounts honestly for his actions.” He reached forward and took the necklace, handing it to his friend. “I see no further reason for you to detain him.”

Zhang Wei clasped the tile tightly in his hand.

“There’s still the witness, my lord.” Detective Lester grimaced as if he were nervous to even bring the subject up.

“And who is this witness?” Benedict asked.

“Lady Hargreave.” Detective Lester shut his notebook.

“Lady Hargreave?” Lady Sophronia asked in disbelief. “What has she to do with this?”

Sergeant Lester opened his notebook again, leafing back through the pages. “Apparently, the viscountess comes to a healer in Limehouse for a rheumatism remedy,” he said. “She told the constables at the scene that she saw a man running from the store and positively identified Mr. Li when he was apprehended in Ratcliff.”

“That is preposterous,” Benedict said. “She saw a man running in the dark and got a good enough look at him to make an identification?”

“Yes, my lord,” Detective Lester said. “She was quite adamant that Mr. Li tossed aside a firearm as he ran past her.”

Benedict shook his head. It didn’t make sense. “Why would the woman purposely mislead the police?” he said.

“To protect someone,” Lady Sophronia said.

He glanced at her and nodded. “Yes. That must be it.” A memory came into his mind. Lord Hargreave had been very interested in Benedict’s jade cuff links. Interested enough to interject himself into a conversation to inquire about them. Benedict knew the man dealt with imported goods. But could his business dealings be unlawful? And what had Mr. Pang to do with it?

“Zhang Wei, can you describe any of the men who came out of Mr. Pang’s shop?” Benedict asked.

He shook his head.

“Try to remember,” Detective Graham said. “Any detail could be significant.”

He leaned forward, and Benedict wondered if he’d arrived at the same conclusion about Lord Hargreave.

“One man, I think, was shorter than the other two. He carried a parcel. His mustache...” Zhang Wei drew his finger over his lip and downward. “And he had no hair.”

Benedict smacked his hand on the table. “You see, Inspector?”

Inspector Graham held up his hand, closing his fingers until only his first remained raised, signaling for Benedict to wait. “Return the prisoner to the cells, Detective. My lord, I’d have a word with you.”

Zhang Wei’s eyes darted from side to side, and he clenched his fists, bending his knees as if preparing to fight.

Benedict stood and laid a hand on his shoulder. “We’re going to talk now. You must trust me. It will be all right.”

Zhang Wei’s fists relaxed, and he nodded. “I trust you.” He lowered his head and allowed himself to be led from the room. In his hand he still held the pendant, and the detective did not ask for it back.

Once the door closed, Benedict turned to Inspector Graham. “It must be Lord Hargreave. You heard the description.”

Inspector Graham nodded, rubbing his pocket watch fob between his fingers. “This must stay between us.” He looked at the other three in the room and waited for acknowledgment from each before continuing. “I’ve been watching Lord Hargreave’s business dealings closely for some time now.” He leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. “His methods are unscrupulous but always barely within the bounds of the law. People in his circle have been arrested, but he manages to avoid soiling his own hands. He skirts along the edge of legality, somehow avoiding getting tangled in his own web.”

“You should arrest him, Jonathan,” Lady Sophronia said.

He shook his head. “With his title, he is virtually untouchable.” He looked at Benedict. “I do not believe the man is honest. But that doesn’t make him a murderer.”

“He deals in Oriental imports,” Benedict said. He told him of Hargreave’s interest in his cuff links. “And his reputation is dubious, to be sure. It is too much of a coincidence that his wife happens to be the witness to a crime that has his... hissmellall over it.” Fury was building inside him. How could this man be so elusive? There must be a way to prove his guilt.

“I agree with you,” the inspector said. “My gut tells me Lord Hargreave is at the center of this. But it’s the viscountess’s word against Mr. Li’s.”

“You can issue a warrant to search his warehouses and office. Study his books. Look into his operation and discover whether he’s had dealings with Mr. Pang. Find the missing jade horses,” Benedict said. He knew he was grasping, but there had to be some way to get to the man.

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