What did she do when home alone at night? Sit in the darkness? Sleep to keep the hunger pangs at bay? Who stoked the fire and heated the water?
Through every tragic experience, Christian’s brothers had offered continued support. Miss Lawton had no one. That thought hit like a sharp stab to the gut.
“Mr Brown, may I ask why you were absent?” she said.
The curator frowned. “I went to Bath to examine a recent haul of Roman coins. Surely you don’t think Mr Purton is involved in a conspiracy to defraud the museum?”
“How can he defraud the museum when the artefacts appear genuine, sir?”
The lady met Christian’s gaze. Something in her expression made him take note. One did not spend time on the streets without learning to read people. The lady believed Purton had another motive for purchasing the artefacts while his employer was miles away in Bath.
Christian explained why they thought the ushabti was genuine. “We need more time to examine the tablet, but we’ve decided it’s better if Miss Lawton continues to work here. I shall investigate the men involved in the excavation and sale.”
Daventry frowned. “For what purpose?”
“A man’s business dealings say a lot about him. We should establish if anyone has a reason to import forged treasures.” The motive wasn’t money. Not when they were sold for a paltry price.
“And you failed to mention my father mapped the area,” Miss Lawton said, her tone accusatory. “You cannot expect Mr Chance to work with the daughter of his nemesis.”
Daventry scanned the breadth of Christian’s shoulders. “Mr Chance has a backbone of steel. It would take more than your family connection to deter him from a task.”
While Christian felt the inner flush of shame, Miss Lawton jumped to his defence. “I think you underestimate the power of past trauma.”
Daventry shrugged. “Based on your history, you have suffered dreadfully at your father’s hands. You’re willing to cast personal feelings aside in the name of justice.”
Miss Lawton snorted. “Because I’m starving.”
When Christian woke this morning, he did not imagine he would come to pity his enemy’s daughter. Nor did he expect to feel responsible for a relative stranger. Worse still, he felt an inner tug of loyalty to someone other than his kin.
“You cannot expect us to uncover evidence when you’re withholding information,” Christian said, his temper rising. He faced the curator and pointed at the items on the trolley. “What made you suspicious enough to hire enquiry agents? If you want my help, you’d better have a damn good reason for dragging me here.”
Brown took to wringing his hands and muttering like a Bedlamite.
“Tell them,” Daventry said, not the least bit fazed.
Brown avoided eye contact. “They’ll think I’ve lost my mind.”
Daventry snorted. “Trust me, I’ve heard stranger things.”
It took the curator a moment to gather his wits, then he blurted, “A ghost! A ghost accosted me in the courtyard.” He screwed his eyes tightly. “She came at me, all pale face and haunted expression. She warned of sinister goings on at the museum. Mentioned the artefacts by name.”
The mind played tricks. Tiredness, thirst and an excessive amount of wine might make a man hallucinate. “If she spoke to you, why the devil would you assume she was a ghost?”
“She was barefooted and wore a white flowing gown.” Brown cupped his hand to his mouth and turned away from Miss Lawton to whisper, “There were spots of blood on her dress.”
“Icanhear you, sir. I’m a woman, not an imbecile.” The lady shook her head and tutted. “In all likelihood, she was suffering from a sickness of the mind and lives in a house near here. Did the white dress resemble a nightgown, perhaps?”
Brown shrugged. “She was there one minute and gone the next.”
“So she ran away?” Christian tried to establish.
“More floated than ran.”
Fear had probably left the man delirious.
Miss Lawton closed the folio of papers, sighing like she’d had a wasted morning. “Did the ghost say the pieces were forgeries?”
“I can’t recall what she said, not verbatim. It was late, and she caught me off guard.” He pursed his lips in thoughtful contemplation. “She mentioned not trusting the men who sold the treasures of Amarna.”
