scarf or length of rope, but the coroner has ruled the bruises on her neck were caused by a reasonably large pair of hands, probably a man’s.”
I shuddered as I considered the method of her death, and he placed a steady hand on my arm. “Are you sure you’re up to this?”
I waved away his concern. “Yes, of course. It’s a rather gruesome image I keep seeing in my mind, but it only makes me all the more determined to help. If going through those files will lead us to the murderer, I’ll do it.”
“Tell me you’ve found some worthy suspects.”
I frowned. “Sadly, I’ve found little anyone would pay to keep quiet. Much of it is embarrassing, but hardly scandalous. And most of the notes Charles read from his file were common knowledge.”
“I’d like to see what you have.”
I had him lift the satchel to the table, and I reached inside to pull out the file I’d been reviewing. “Well, now that I’m eliminating females, I believe there are only three. I haven’t gone through the entire file, of course, but we have no plans for this evening so I can keep reviewing them.”
I leafed through the pages and handed him the three most likely suspects. “I wonder if these files were already bundled together when Delaney found them.”
George was reading through the notes, but he spared me a quick glance. “Do you suppose that signifies somehow?”
“Only that there was nothing of note in Charles’s folder. Everything we’ve found came from this one. Perhaps Mary already had them separated and my file has all the juicy bits.”
“Then why collect the other information at all?” he asked. “And I should remind you there are two more files to be reviewed.”
“Yes, I suppose I can’t make any judgments until I’ve seen everything, but I do wonder if there is some other reason she would keep such a collection. Frankly, if Mary was a blackmailer, she was not a very discerning one. She has notes about people who couldn’t possibly pay her.”
“Perhaps they could grant her favors though.” He turned away from the pages to meet my gaze. “And that reminds me, I need to find a way to check with her bank. See if she’d made any deposits lately.”
“Isn’t Delaney doing that?”
“I’m sure he will, but as my official assignment is limited to reviewing these files, I can’t depend on Delaney to share his findings with me.”
“I’d be very curious about her financial situation. I realize we’ve just begun this investigation, but I can’t help thinking we’re going about this all wrong. How do we even know she was using this information for blackmail?” I gave him a sharp glance. “By the way, do you plan to slip into Mary’s house at some point?”
“Is there something in particular you’d like me to search for?”
“Money.” I shrugged. “Perhaps she kept it somewhere at home rather than in her bank.”
He gave me a half smile. “You’re becoming rather accomplished at this investigating business. That’s a very good point. I’ll try to do that this evening but this time you cannot accompany me as you have a great deal of work to do.”
I let out a groan. “I am learning far more about my acquaintance than I ever wished to know. Once I’ve ferreted out the likely suspects, how do you wish me to proceed?”
“I suppose you should make a list and I’ll attempt to learn if they’ve had any interaction with Mrs. Archer and where they were when she was murdered.”
“Ah, in other words are they in possession of an alibi? Excellent notion. You have your hands full, George. I’m perfectly capable of calling on some of these suspects myself.”
His brows shot up. “Did you hear what you just said? I will not have you placing yourself in such a dangerous position. I’ll handle it.”
I harrumphed my disdain. “The woman has recently died. No one would become suspicious if I, very casually, ask how well acquainted they were. I realize no one will admit to having murdered her, but while you are busy hunting for Charles’s mysterious man, checking Mary’s house for evidence, and analyzing her bank account, I can narrow down this list for you.”
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