Page 121 of Disturbing the Dead
“Enough evidence that Alastair was mulling over the best way to handle it. I tracked down three of the missing antiquities. There were two dealers involved. One is well known for trading in high-value items, and I can provide his name. The other has proven more difficult to track. He operates deeply in the criminal world of antiquities trade. I had a lead on him, but it was something to do with an underground market, and I had not finished those inquiries. The dealer I did contact seemed to think the goods came from, well, from me. The man who delivered the antiquities was brown-skinned and claimed to be the Egyptian brother-in-law of an Egyptologist. I tracked down that person, and in a conversation with him, I became convinced his employer—and supplier—was Lord Muir, who also told him to pass along the story that suggested the young man was me. I told Alastair, and we planned to pay the fellow a visit once Alastair got past that blasted mummy unwrapping.”
“So you would be able to tell me where to find this young Egyptian.”
Selim rolls his eyes. “He is not Egyptian. He is not even African. His mother is from India.”
He looks at Gray. “I am certain you know how that is, Doctor. One brown-skinned person can easily be substituted for another. But yes, I can tell you where to find him. I even have his real name.” He nods our way with a slight smile. “I am no great detective, but an inquisitive turn of mind and a bit of charm go a long way in finding people and convincing them to talk. That is why Alastair set me to the task, in addition to my contacts in the community. Charm was not part of my brother-in-law’s repertoire.” He sobers. “He was a good man. A bit stolid and often frustratingly obstinate, but he cared for Egyptian history and for my sister, even if it was in that order. Work was everything to him, but he did not neglect his family. He cared about them more than he knew how to demonstrate.”
An epitaph that could, I’m sure, be appended to the lives of many men in this world, and even in my own. Raised to embrace their careers, but not given the skills to do the same with their families, however deeply they might care.
Of course, McCreadie asks why Selim didn’t come forward with this right away, as it gave Muir a motive for, if not plotting to kill Sir Alastair, at least getting into an argument that might have led to murder.
The question is not entirely fair, given the timeline. When Sir Alastair was found, Selim was unconscious in the tunnel. He spent a half day recovering… and then was kidnapped before the latest antiquities disappeared.
Still, McCreadie must ask, because if Muir is charged—even with just the thefts—his defense lawyer could use this delay as “proof” that Selim was the real thief and just needed time to formulate his defense, which resulted in sending Gray that letter to make it seem he’d been kidnapped.
The answer is simple. Selim didn’t mention it because he saw no reason to suspect Muir of his brother-in-law’s murder, which was the active investigation. We know Muir had an alibi for that. The theft was only discovered after Selim was gone.
Once Selim knew more artifacts had been stolen, he would have come forward. He just didn’t get that chance.
“Oh, and there’s one more thing,” Selim says. “I had suspected Lord Muir might be using the tunnel to remove the artifacts. Of course, that seemed ridiculous—how would an earl know about an underground tunnel only used by children? I found the answer by talking to his daughter, on the pretense of ferrying messages between Alastair and Lord Muir. She’s a lovely woman, if somewhat lonely in their country home, and she was happy to provide tea and conversation when I visited.”
Yes, I’m sure she was. Selim isn’t only charming; he’s intelligent, educated, and attractive. His background adds the appeal of exoticism for a woman who may have never left the British Isles. And the fact that he is a baronet’s brother-in-law makes him socially acceptable company, at least within the safety of Miss Muir’s own home, surrounded by staff.
“I mentioned the tunnels once,” he continues. “She particularly enjoyed little touches of adventure like that. When I spoke of them, she became very animated and wanted to share a bit of family gossip with me. Do you know how Alastair came to be sponsored by Lord Muir?”
“A family connection, wasn’t it?” McCreadie says. “The families have known each other for generations?”
“Yes, dating back to the French revolutionary wars. Alastair’s great-grandfather served under Lord Muir’s grandfather, and saved his life. The family’s fortunes became intertwined after that. Alastair’s house was originally owned by Lord Muir’s grandfather, who constructed the tunnel to sneak ‘unsavory people’ into his parties. While that does not prove Lord Muir knew of the tunnels, it is a fair bet, as he lived in that house when he was a child.”
“And if there are tunnels,” I say, “children will find them.”
Selim smiles. “They will indeed.”
THIRTY-SEVEN
I’m in the town house library with Isla, who is busy updating the household accounts while I… Well, I’m mostly just staring out the window, and she leaves me to it, after making sure I know that, should I wish to talk, she will happily take a break from her accounting.
After leaving the Christie house, McCreadie needed to go directly to the police office to speak to his superior officers about Muir. Deciding when and how to bring Muir in for questioning is tricky, given the earl’s position. That might frustrate me, but it also frustrates McCreadie, so there’s no point in grumbling.
Gray went with McCreadie, in case any parts of his story required backup. They invited me to join them, but I didn’t see where I’d be any help, so I let them drop me off at the town house.
Now I am in the library and thinking. Doing lots of thinking. Putting together the pieces and fussing with them.
An hour later, Simon returns with a message from Gray.
Have found one of Lord M’s accomplices in the kidnapping. Bringing him to the station for questioning. Would you like to join us?
I consider the question for a few minutes. Then I return a simple message that does not even require writing down.
No, thank you.
I send Simon with the message and my thanks for delivering it. Once he’s gone, Isla raises her brows. I tell her what Gray asked, which only makes those brows jump higher.
“You do not wish to question the man who kidnapped Mr. Awad? Who might provide a direct link to Lord Muir?”
“Hugh can handle it.”
“I have no doubt he can, but Duncan asked you to come—not to help but to witness your would-be killer seeing justice.”
