Walter+Sibson

The gloom-filled shops on Cunning Lane in Little Eden were a sharp contrast to the tavern just across the road. Christian took Beatrice’s arm and they began walked toward the tavern. “Watch your step?” “Are you certain that Sibson would not be in his shop?” Beatrice frowned at the dark doorways and the tavern where loud voices and laughter could be heard from. “Yes, from what Laurence told me he said that Sibson could usually be found at the tavern at around this time of day.” “So are we going to just wait for him in his shop, till he comes back?” “Yes, that is the plan so far.” “Why don’t we just go to the tavern?” “Do you really need to ask that question? Apart from the fact you’re a lady you also are a princess.” “I am glad that you were able to find the man that had questioned Nancy and the handkerchief me and Mary found made it infinitely easier to find the gentleman who had shot her, was it not.” Beatrice said pointedly ignoring what Christian had said. “Yes, but now we are faced by a bigger problem. Both men involved in Nancy’s death are also involved with the group trying to gain control of the throne so we cannot bring them to justice yet because they could to lead us to other members.” “Yes, they would wouldn’t they?” Christian glance at her as he unlocked the door with a lock pick. He would have felt a good deal more cheerful if he could have convinced himself that Beatrice could not twist him around her finger as she did almost everyone else. Her enthusiasm for the prospect of interviewing Sibson was nearly palpable. “You know Christian if this man Sibson really has the brooch it would mean that he either got it off the man who killed Nancy or it was given to him by the killer. How does that knowledge help us with our investigation?” “The more people we know connected to Futuriste the closer we are to the group and working out who they are.”

Inside the shop Beatrice blinked a few times until her eyes adjusted to the gloomy interior of the shop. A single lamp burned at the rear of the shop, the weak light glinted on the rows of small artifacts that lined the wall of the shop. She heard Christian close the door softly behind her and a soft rusting sound at the rear of the shop. The shuffling became recognizable as footsteps and Beatrice turned and looked at Christian. “Here now, what’s this? How’d you get in, the door was locked.” A tall bulky man emerged, garbed in an ill-cut coat and aged breeches that were surprisingly clean and wrinkle free. As he came forward with a menacing glare, Beatrice was reminded of a child-eating giant. “Hello you must Sibson, I am Warrington,” Christian said infusing a chilling arrogance into the simp le introduction. “My companion and I wish to have a word with you.” <span style="font-family: 'Bell MT','serif'; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“Yes we would like to buy a brooch; we were told that you have quite a good collection.” <span style="font-family: 'Bell MT','serif'; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“I do indeed,” he turned and went to the counter and took out a brooch inlaid with diamond and three pearls. <span style="font-family: 'Bell MT','serif'; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“That’s it. That is the brooch I gave Nancy,” Beatrice whispered tensing. <span style="font-family: 'Bell MT','serif'; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“That is perfect; your mother would love the brooch darling, wouldn’t she?” Christian said loudly enough for Sibson to hear. <span style="font-family: 'Bell MT','serif'; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“Yes it is lovely, how much are you willing to pay for it Mr. Sibson.” Beatrice said quietly. <span style="font-family: 'Bell MT','serif'; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“Well, I am flexible.” He said rubbing his fingers and gesturing them to come closer to the counter. <span style="font-family: 'Bell MT','serif'; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“Where did you get such a beautiful thing, the workmanship is brilliant.” <span style="font-family: 'Bell MT','serif'; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“I won it of a friend in a bet.” He gloated gleefully. <span style="font-family: 'Bell MT','serif'; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">“Who did you win it off?” <span style="font-family: 'Bell MT','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Lord Fenning! I can tell you he was non too happy about it.”

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