Page 28 of The Swan Detective (The Swan Syndicate #2)
Unable to help herself, Stella’s broker persona took over with the urge to organize, something she excelled at. It might not be apparent to people in this century when she made rash, dangerous decisions under what she would consider duress, but, dammit, she was always organized about it.
“We need to write down what’s already been stolen, when and where it was taken, and who owned the item. Then we’ll add the additional names and the items they own. Let’s see if we can discern a pattern. It might not be obvious with only two stolen pieces, but I think it’s the best place to start.”
She glanced around, worried she’d gone overboard, but everyone was nodding at her, filled with excitement. They were having fun. She’d use whatever it took to keep them engaged.
Mary called for a footman, who immediately appeared. She must keep one or two nearby in case they were needed. Stella stored the information away for the next time she had guests. “We could use a warm-up on the tea, a few sheets of paper, an inkpot, and a quill.”
Eleanor agreed to scribe, and Stella breathed a sigh of relief. She’d improved her use of a quill, but she wasn’t fast and didn’t need five sets of eyes watching her.
While the women helped Eleanor with the list, Mary excused herself and returned with a journal, which she held on her lap. Once everything was written down, they passed the paper around, giving everyone time to review it.
Mary opened the journal. “I keep my list of events in here. A couple of the women on the list probably won’t accept the same invitations we did.”
“We should try to match up which women might be attending the same parties as us,” Flora suggested.
“I would think the diadem would be the most difficult to steal during a ball,” Agatha said. “One needs to be extremely careful removing a tiara so it doesn’t get stuck in your hair. I can’t imagine a thief getting away when that happens.”
Something had nagged Stella since the party in the East End. “Why aren’t they stealing the jewelry from the manors? Why wait for someone to wear the item in a room filled with people?”
“Because they’re not natural thieves.” Eleanor closed the ink pot and sat back.
“I’ve only worked with a crew from the outside, helping with clothing and makeup.
But one thing I’ve learned, other than a natty boy, most prefer to steal when there are fewer chances of witnesses, unless they have several crew working the job.
And manors can be tricky when trying to avoid the staff.
” She grinned. “Unless they are part of the staff.”
When she received blank, and somewhat concerned stares, Stella added, “A natty boy is a pickpocket. Someone who mainly steals from people in crowded streets.” She snapped her fingers.
“Don’t they usually work in pairs? Someone creates a distraction either before or after the theft, so the one with the goods gets away? ”
Eleanor nodded. “Most times.”
Elizabeth perked up. “You think there was an accomplice.”
“Yes,” Flora added. “I’d thought that from the beginning. There was a surge of people that quickly crowded the hallway.”
Stella nodded. “So, with all those people, how did the thief get from somehow shoving the crowd to reaching us in barely a minute’s time?”
“I don’t see how finding two thieves is any easier than finding one,” Agatha said.
Stella felt dejected because Agatha was right.
The thief had been dressed like any other aristocrat.
She doubted she’d give him a second glance if she hadn’t been looking for him.
“For now, let’s keep in mind there might be two thieves.
And Agatha is right. I think the diadem would be difficult. The next ball is tomorrow, right?”
She waited as the women reviewed the list again and decided who on their list might be there.
As they did that, Stella had to question the wisdom of what they were doing.
She wasn’t worried about interfering with the inspector.
Based on his perception, he no doubt considered the case closed.
The problem was predicting where and when the thief would show up next.
Eleanor stared at the list. She wouldn’t know who might attend which party, but as she’d said earlier, she knew a bit about how a thief worked. “We have two more necklaces, a bracelet, the diadem, a pair of earrings, and another brooch.”
“The earrings will be as difficult as the diadem.” Elizabeth rubbed her earlobe. “They’re easy enough to pull off, but they’re worthless if you don’t get both.”
“Alright, let’s put the diadem and earrings at the bottom of our list.” Stella wished she could speak to Beckworth about the best way to track down the thief without him thinking she might be in the middle of it all.
She didn’t want to personally catch the thief—just track him down.
See where he lived or who he was working for.
Or, as she initially suspected, what ship he was on and whether it would be in port long enough for the thief to steal the entire Deschanel collection.
She couldn’t let Beckworth shut them down before they got started.
“That leaves two women who should be at the party tomorrow night.” Mary’s eyes were huge. “What do we do?”
“Rather than looking for the thief, we should keep our eyes on the women.” Elizabeth finished her tea and reached for her neckline, where a new necklace rested.
Stella didn’t think Elizabeth was thinking about this necklace. Her thoughts were still on the one she considered lost forever. Stella’s resolve, which had been slowly seeping away, was hardened once again by sympathy for her friend.
“Yes.” She nodded her head up and down. “Elizabeth is right. We should split our forces and follow these two women around.”
“That’s something I can work out with Elizabeth.” Agatha glanced around the room, her eyes falling on Eleanor. “Will you be attending?”
Eleanor shook her head. “It’s not a place for the likes of me, but I’m happy to help in some other way.”
“So, there are five of us to monitor Mabel and Patrice.” Agatha turned to Stella. “And if we catch sight of the thief?”
“I’ll know if it’s the same thief.” Stella perked up as a plan began to formulate.
“I just have to make sure that as soon as I hear a scream, I head for the closest doors leading toward the solarium. The thief has used that exit twice. He might change tactics since the duke’s ball, but I doubt he’ll change what’s worked for them so far because of one woman. ”
“And then what?” Flora asked. “How far can you chase him in a ball gown?”
Stella grinned. “It won’t be me chasing him.”