Death on the Sapphire Read Online Free PDF Page B

that is exactly what I thought,” said Lady Frances brightly. She knew this was going to be an uphill battle, and on the way over, she had rehearsed in her mind exactly what to say to the superintendent, who could be, she had found, a little resistant to change.
    She quickly launched into a description of the search they had conducted, the security situation at the house, the unlikelihood the manuscript had casually disappeared, and her theory that the thief had been someone who had shown up at the funeral. She produced a list. She was brief and to the point. “We put marks next to names of people we didn’t know very well. I wrote out two copies, one for me to hold and one for you.”
    Maples looked at the list and frowned. This was not what he expected from a civilian. Lady Frances’s account was organized and coherent, and her procedure for looking for the manuscript and conclusions made a lot of sense. He reviewed the names.
    “So you see, Superintendent, I believe that the manuscript was stolen and wish to pursue the theft with the correct authorities.”There. She had made a clear, concise case, and she flattered herself that Maples had been impressed.
    “Have you thought about why someone would steal such a manuscript?”
    “Perhaps he discussed things that other people did not want made public? But without seeing the manuscript, it’s just a guess.”
    This was a more complicated problem than it had initially appeared—Lady Frances, he had to admit, had made a very good start. Fortunately, although it was a difficult problem to solve, it was also easy to get rid of. He could simply send her to the officer who was handling that case.
    “Would you like to speak with the inspector who investigated the accident? He’d be the best person.”
    “Yes, that would be very helpful, thank you.” Frances felt very pleased with herself. She could see that Maples, in the course of their professional relationship, was beginning to respect her. As they had discussed in their suffragist meetings, many men would learn to respect women once they saw they could act reasonably, as opposed to the way so many men falsely assumed—merely emotional creatures, slaves of their whims.
    Maples rang for Sergeant Cardiff and then told him to call the relevant station and find the inspector who had handled the Colcombe accident. When he left, Maples leaned back, feeling generous and expansive. No reason not to be complimentary and build some good feeling, especially as she deserved it.
    “Your account and handling of the problem was very good, Lady Frances. Clean and organized.” Then he overdid it, to his regret. “I wish all my men were so well organized.”
    “Really? How kind of you to say. I had wondered if perhaps there might be a place for women in the Metropolitan Police Service.” What an exciting concept! Imagine that—women police constables. “Can I make a formal proposal to open the police force to women?”
    Oh God. “Actually, that’s out of my hands. Only the commissioner or even the home secretary can make such a radical change.”
    “Of course, Superintendent. I will write them—and will be sure to mention your support.” Frances smiled at him—and rather enjoyed the look of horror on his face. “But then again, it might be best if I approached the officials on my own.”
    Sergeant Cardiff returned again, clutching a piece of paper. If Maples didn’t know better, however, he’d have said that Cardiff was showing emotion again—he looked confused.
    “Sir, I have the name of the inspector in charge.”
    “Just give it to Lady Frances, then. I’m sure she’s quite busy and will want to be on her way.” This conversation had gone on long enough and was getting dangerous.
    “I’d like you to look first, sir,” he said. He glanced quickly at Frances, then placed the paper in front of the superintendent. There was no missing the shock on Maples’s face. He mastered it in seconds, but too late for