seems our Mr. Stockton had become a secondary partner in a gold mine up in the northern territory.”
“There’s gold up there?”
“If there is, it will be news to a great many people, including the commissioner of our own Land Department.”
“Well, there’s a motive for murder,” said Jade. “If he talked about this with anyone, someone might have killed him to steal his gold.”
“Perhaps.” Finch replaced the nodule of gold in the ring box. “Judging by your surprise, you haven’t heard anything of this before today.”
“No,” said Jade. “Did you think I might have? Are you trying to get me to do your work for you again?” she asked, referring to the time when he’d tricked her into solving the murder of a local businessman.
“Not at all. But you are an astute young woman and you do travel in a wide circle of people. Of course, if you do hear anything—”
“I’ll let you know. I would be interested in learning how he died.”
“As will I. I am sorry to say that those reporters will likely have recognized you, Miss del Cameron. I might suggest that you make yourself unavailable for the time being. Visit Mombassa, perhaps. That is, until we need your testimony for an inquest.”
“I’m afraid leaving is not possible. I have to be at Mrs. Postlewaithe’s garden party tomorrow, of all places. The Girl Guides are giving an archery demonstration. Perhaps they can shoot the reporters.”
“Indeed. At times I’m inclined to agree with you. Let me get one of the constables to take you home.”
Jade rose and Finch stood with her. “That won’t be necessary, Inspector,” Jade said. “I think a walk will do me good. Help me clear my head.”
Jade initially intended to turn north towards Parklands. Then she remembered what Emily had said about the rest of the mail being ready today. Maybe there’s a letter from Sam. She turned south to the post office and set off at a brisk pace, hoping to lose some of her on-edge feeling.
The postal clerk told her that someone had already come by that morning to pick up the mail. Suddenly she felt the need for haste and decided to find a taxi to get back sooner.
“Thank you,” Jade said. “Sorry to bother you for nothing.”
“Wait a moment,” called the clerk as Jade turned. “Miss del Cameron, right?” Jade nodded. “Ah, good. I do have something for you. The package must have fallen into some mud, because the address was barely legible. However, after some brushing, I was able to make out the name Cameron. Only finished cleaning it now.” He handed over a very dirty parcel wrapped in brown paper and twine. As the clerk had said, “Cameron” and “Nairobi” were the only words clearly readable amid the grime and the blurred letters. If there had been a return address, it was obliterated.
As soon as the package touched Jade’s hands, she shivered. A nauseating fear gripped her and her heart pounded. Beads of sweat broke out on her brow. For nearly a minute, she stood rooted to the spot, unable to will her legs to move.
“Miss, are you all right?” asked the clerk. “This is yours, isn’t it?”
Jade nodded and noticed two businessmen staring at her. “Thank you,” she murmured, and went outside. The sun’s heat and the noise of the now bustling city helped to chase away some of the dread that had struck her. She found a quiet bench down the street and attacked the string with her knife as though she were attacking someone intent on harming her.
Get a hold of yourself. It’s just a package. Probably something from Mother.
It wasn’t.
Inside was a silk neck scarf, the sort that aviators wore, only this one was splattered and stained rusty red with dried blood. A note written in David Worthy’s elegant but masculine hand read: I won’t let you go. You belong to me!
A cold sweat broke out on Jade’s arms. Her hands shook, and her heart hammered in her ears as she dropped the packet to the ground.
CHAPTER 4
The Athi River
“There’s gold up there?”
“If there is, it will be news to a great many people, including the commissioner of our own Land Department.”
“Well, there’s a motive for murder,” said Jade. “If he talked about this with anyone, someone might have killed him to steal his gold.”
“Perhaps.” Finch replaced the nodule of gold in the ring box. “Judging by your surprise, you haven’t heard anything of this before today.”
“No,” said Jade. “Did you think I might have? Are you trying to get me to do your work for you again?” she asked, referring to the time when he’d tricked her into solving the murder of a local businessman.
“Not at all. But you are an astute young woman and you do travel in a wide circle of people. Of course, if you do hear anything—”
“I’ll let you know. I would be interested in learning how he died.”
“As will I. I am sorry to say that those reporters will likely have recognized you, Miss del Cameron. I might suggest that you make yourself unavailable for the time being. Visit Mombassa, perhaps. That is, until we need your testimony for an inquest.”
“I’m afraid leaving is not possible. I have to be at Mrs. Postlewaithe’s garden party tomorrow, of all places. The Girl Guides are giving an archery demonstration. Perhaps they can shoot the reporters.”
“Indeed. At times I’m inclined to agree with you. Let me get one of the constables to take you home.”
Jade rose and Finch stood with her. “That won’t be necessary, Inspector,” Jade said. “I think a walk will do me good. Help me clear my head.”
Jade initially intended to turn north towards Parklands. Then she remembered what Emily had said about the rest of the mail being ready today. Maybe there’s a letter from Sam. She turned south to the post office and set off at a brisk pace, hoping to lose some of her on-edge feeling.
The postal clerk told her that someone had already come by that morning to pick up the mail. Suddenly she felt the need for haste and decided to find a taxi to get back sooner.
“Thank you,” Jade said. “Sorry to bother you for nothing.”
“Wait a moment,” called the clerk as Jade turned. “Miss del Cameron, right?” Jade nodded. “Ah, good. I do have something for you. The package must have fallen into some mud, because the address was barely legible. However, after some brushing, I was able to make out the name Cameron. Only finished cleaning it now.” He handed over a very dirty parcel wrapped in brown paper and twine. As the clerk had said, “Cameron” and “Nairobi” were the only words clearly readable amid the grime and the blurred letters. If there had been a return address, it was obliterated.
As soon as the package touched Jade’s hands, she shivered. A nauseating fear gripped her and her heart pounded. Beads of sweat broke out on her brow. For nearly a minute, she stood rooted to the spot, unable to will her legs to move.
“Miss, are you all right?” asked the clerk. “This is yours, isn’t it?”
Jade nodded and noticed two businessmen staring at her. “Thank you,” she murmured, and went outside. The sun’s heat and the noise of the now bustling city helped to chase away some of the dread that had struck her. She found a quiet bench down the street and attacked the string with her knife as though she were attacking someone intent on harming her.
Get a hold of yourself. It’s just a package. Probably something from Mother.
It wasn’t.
Inside was a silk neck scarf, the sort that aviators wore, only this one was splattered and stained rusty red with dried blood. A note written in David Worthy’s elegant but masculine hand read: I won’t let you go. You belong to me!
A cold sweat broke out on Jade’s arms. Her hands shook, and her heart hammered in her ears as she dropped the packet to the ground.
CHAPTER 4
The Athi River
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