Page 32 of Master Wolf
“Iamfeeling a little faint,” she said. “I am sure I will be better in a few minutes.”
“Very well, my dear,” Drew said mildly. “I won’t be much longer—I just want to ask Mr Muir a few questions about the specimen.”
“I will be back directly,” Muir promised and led Marguerite out of the room. True to his word, he returned a few minutes later.
“Madame Niven is sitting quite comfortably,” he said. “And seems to be recovering.”
“That’s good, thank you,” Drew said. He sent Muir a rueful look and added wryly, “My wife has rather delicate sensibilities, but she didinsistupon coming today.”
“Her sensibilities do her credit,” Muir said. “The fairer sex are not capable, as we men are, of calmly facing such sights. It is hardly surprising she became hysterical.”
Drew resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Marguerite could wipe with the floor with this whelp without getting so much as a hair out of place, if he but knew it.
“So,” Muir said, in a tone that indicated a change of topic. “What do you think of the specimen?”
“It’s extraordinary,” Drew said honestly. Then less honestly, “At first I thought it must be a hoax—like one of those ridiculous sewn-together creatures you see in the travelling shows—but I’ve examined it quite carefully and it does appear to have been a genuine creature. The bones, the way they fit together, and the general uniformity of their condition seem to point clearly to that conclusion.”
Muir nodded. “Yes, what you see before you is exactly what was found by the workmen who were draining the Nor’loch. The body had been kept intact—it had been rolled in a carpet before it was dropped in the water. Much of the fabric had deteriorated, of course, as had the flesh on the body. Nevertheless, there was enough of the carpet left to keep the bones together in a recognisable whole.”
“It must have caused quite a stir when it was discovered?”
“Yes, although we have been very selective as to who we have permitted to view it.”
Drew raised a brow. “From which I infer that only those who have expressed a wish—and who have the means—to acquire it have been permitted to see it?”
Muir smiled politely. “Once Mr. Begg—he is one of the Magistrates—realised this specimen could be sold for the benefit of the town, he was determined that steps be taken to protect its integrity. That ruled out any public display.”
“Yes, I see,” Drew murmured. After a moment, he added, “And what do you mean to do now, Mr. Muir?”
Muir met his gaze. “I’m not sure I follow.”
Now it was Drew’s turn to smile. “You are forcing me to be blunt. I am asking whether you mean to put this item up for auction, or if you would be amenable to accepting an offer now. A serious one, I mean.”
Muir spread his hands in an apologetic gesture. “I’m afraid it is not in my power to accept or even invite bids at this time. I have merely been appointed to safeguard the specimen and conduct the viewings. It will be for Mr. Begg—that is, the Magistrates—to determine the way forward.”
Drew filed away his slip.
“And when will that determination be made?” he asked.
“There is one more interested party still to view the specimen,” Muir said. “He is on his way to Edinburgh and is expected the day after tomorrow. Once he has viewed it, I expect an announcement will be made quite quickly.”
“And who are my rivals?”
Muir gave a small smirk. “I’m afraid I cannot say.”
Drew sighed. “You are very trying, Mr. Muir. You bring me here, show me the most fascinating item I’ve seen in many a long year and then tell me I must simply kick my heels for the foreseeable future?”
“I can only apologise,” Muir replied smoothly, “But I trust you will not have to wait very long, Mr. Niven. And I hope you will understand that the Magistrates only take these steps in an effort to be even-handed—and of course, to ensure that the best price is achieved for the townspeople, who will be the beneficiaries of this exercise.”
Drew was quite surethatwas not the case. If there weren’t at least a handful of people—Muir included—planning on skimming a portion of the proceeds for themselves, he’d eat his own hat. But he smiled at Muir, hoping he exuded even a tenth of the easy charm that Lindsay seemed to be able to summon without the least effort.
“May I be frank with you?” he asked.
Muir’s expression did not so much as flicker. He nodded.
“Acquiring this specimen is of the utmost importance to me and I would be very grateful if you would therefore keep me informed.”
“Keep you informed?” Muir was frowning, but the slight knowing tilt of his lips told Drew he knew very well what he was getting at. “About what?”