Page 61 of In Want of a Suspect

Marianne wrote their names across the top of the wide edge of the slate. “Now, what are the reasons we have to suspect Miss Cavendish?”

“A woman fitting her description was seen at the storehouse and was accused of starting the fire, she indicated that she had information for us, and then she was murdered before she could meet with us,” Lizzie said. Marianne rushed to list the reasons.

“Doesn’t the fact that she was murdered mean that she wasn’t guilty?” Margaret asked.

“Not necessarily. She could have started the fire.” Lizzie thought of the sight of Leticia, strangled in the park, and tried not to shudder. “But she certainly isn’t responsible for her own murder.”

“Double crimes,” Margaret whispered with excitement, and scrawled something in her own journal.

“Don’t forget, Miss Cavendish has dubious origins,” Darcy added. “Not much is known about her early life or how and why she came to London. We don’t know her motivations.”

Marianne nodded, listing all the reasons in shorthand. “And Jack Mullins?”

Lizzie sighed. “He accused a dark-haired, tall young lady of setting the fire, but didn’t actuallyseeher start the fire. He’s been cagey about letting us inspect the premises, although he claims it’s for our safety.”

“Vengeful?” Marianne asked.

“Perhaps. When he learned that Leticia had been murdered, he seemed... upset, but not despondent. He also claims not to know who she is. But he didn’t disclose that there is a Crown investigation into his storehouse, and we don’t know if he’s unaware or if he’s keeping it from us.”

“So he might be responsible for the murder, but it seems unlikely he was responsible for the fire that caused his brother’s death?” Marianne asked. “And he’s keeping secrets, possibly.”

“Likely,” Darcy corrected.

Lizzie sighed. “I suppose that’s fair—but he relieved me from the case yesterday, so he really has no reason to toss a brick through my front window.”

Marianne wroteBrick?under Jack’s name. “All right, Mr. Hughes next. He’s Josette’s fiancé?”

“Yes,” Darcy said. “He owns graphite mines. He was not pleased to see us in Josette’s drawing room when we first went to speak with her.”

“That could have just been because you once courted Josette,” Lizzie pointed out.

“Ohreally?” Marianne asked, and all three Dashwoods looked at Darcy with keen interest.

“It was ages ago!” he protested. “And it ended amicably.”

“But I hardly think that’s reason enough for Mr. Hughes to turn to villainy, so I suppose it’s irrelevant,” Lizzie said. “Let’s suppose he’s lying and his graphite mines haven’t dried up. What if he’s selling it on the black market out of the Mullins Brothers storehouse?”

“That’s a felony,” Darcy pointed out. “But if he were selling to the French, that would be treason.”

“Exactly.”

“But would he set fire to a storehouse where his illegal goods are?”

“Maybe,” Lizzie conceded, “if he were on the verge of getting caught. Losing out on all that money is likely preferable to being arrested and facing treason charges. Elinor, what would happen to graphite if it was set on fire?”

“It wouldn’t burn,” she said confidently.

“Oh,” Lizzie said.

“But it would become explosive.”

“Oh.”

Lizzie considered that, reviewing her memories of that day. “There was a rather large crash, wasn’t there, Darcy? Do you remember?”

“Yes, but I don’t think it was an explosion,” he said slowly.

“I suppose there’s no way of knowing for certain, not without getting inside.” Which, of course, they hadn’t been able to do.