From the Charred Remains Read Online Free PDF Page B

well beaten before being stuffed in that barrel. A couple of bones and ribs broken. And he was definitely killed before the Fire, but probably not long before.”
    “That makes sense,” Lucy agreed. “Otherwise, I would think his body would have been discovered when they had to refill the barrel with malt.”
    “I’m afraid of what London is becoming.” He shook his head. “Since the plague, and the Fire. ’Tis as if men can’t control themselves.” Duncan glanced at her. “I assume you didn’t come to chat about murder. You were coming to see me though?” He looked wary. “Not another death to report, I hope?”
    Lucy laughed. “No, but I’ve come across something that may be of interest.” She held out the bag. “This was found by the barrels. It may well have been on the body.”
    Duncan scowled. “Miss Campion. Looting is a serious crime—”
    “I know, I know,” she said hastily. “Twas a mistake. One of my young acquaintances sort of, ahem, just walked off with it. By happenstance, I assure you. Thus, I brought it back.”
    “By happenstance. Hmmm.” Duncan looked skeptical. “Alright. I’ll try to ignore that part. What’s in the bag?”
    “Some odd stuff. A ring, some coins, an ivory brooch. A poem. Or perhaps it is a letter. I can’t rightly tell.”
    Duncan turned two of the barrels over. “Here. Sit.” Thoughtfully the constable pulled each item out of the pouch, turning it this way and about in his hands. Silently, he examined the brooch and the coins. He whistled when he looked at the elephant carved in the green rock. “This is a rook. From chess. Made of jade. Quite valuable, I should think.” Setting the rook aside, he went on. “Five playing cards. A jack, a queen, a ten, a king … a winning hand?” He carefully opened the letter, skimming its contents. “Nothing identifying here.” Carefully, he placed everything back in the bag and retied the strings. “Thank you, Miss Campion. And no more of your friends accidentally walking off with items from the Fire.”
    “Of course not, Constable Duncan.” Lucy stood up. “Well, I’ll be off now. I’m not working at the Fire site anymore. The master thought that Annie and I needed some time to rest.”
    “Still working for the Hargraves, are you?”
    Something about his steady gaze made her flush unexpectedly. “Um, yes. I enjoy working for the magistrate. He’s a kind man. He treats me well.”
    “I’m sure Master Hargrave does treat you well. How does his son treat you, if I may ask?”
    “Adam? I mean, Master Hargrave?” She said in a stumbling away, aware of the constable’s raised eyebrow. “He treats me well. Very well. I don’t see him very much these days, of course. He’s been helping out with the Lord Mayor’s surveyors. He may even advise the King,” she added proudly, before flushing even more deeply. Why had she added that last part? She sounded like she was boasting.
    “Has political ambitions, does he?” the constable asked drily. “I guess that’s the way of men of his station. Secure a good post, marry well, and he’ll be all set.”
    “It’s not like that! He’s a good man. He’s trying to help!” Lucy protested, hotly. Then she stopped, seeing the constable’s pitying gaze. His mention of Adam “marrying well” made her stomach lurch. Without thinking, she added, somewhat defensively, “I’m going to be leaving the Hargraves myself, soon, though.”
    “Oh?”
    Duncan’s keen look disconcerted her. Her next words came out in a rush. “Yes, I’m to keep house for my brother, as soon he finds some rooms to let. He’s a journeyman now; he received his letter for the smithy’s guild just before the Fire.”
    For a moment her thoughts flashed to her brother Will, laughing and handsome. Fortune’s wheel had surely spun in Will’s favor recently. No longer was his life so wretched as it had been the year prior. During the fire, Will had worked ceaselessly to save his master’s