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But who? And how could Simon uncover the culprit?
Simon had the keys, and another set was kept at the museum. Stockton was the first possibility that crossed his mind, as he had access to the keys, but he wasn’t the only one who did. Though tempted to fire the man on the spot, proof was required first. That Simon wasn’t satisfied with the director’s work of late was a separate issue.
However, the man had provided an account of his whereabouts without Simon even asking. There seemed to have been little opportunity for him to have taken the coin unless he’d done so while the museum was open. If he’d attempted that, surely one of the other employees would’ve seen him and come forward.
Yet, if it wasn’t Stockton, who else could it be? Until he knew for certain, Simon intended to keep an eye on the director. The best way to do that was to keep him employed at the museum.
Finding the damn coin was all that mattered. How he hated to let down Norah. Especially after exceeding her expectations with the exhibit. The look of delight on her face had been replaced by dismay. Soon that would be replaced with suspicion. The thought brought a weight on his shoulders he couldn’t shrug away.
“My lord?”
Simon looked to see Fletcher standing in the doorway. “Yes?”
“The Earl of Marbury is calling. Are you receiving?”
Simon nearly groaned. No doubt the lord was appalled that Simon had lost the coin. He supposed he should count himself lucky the Duke of Rothwood wasn’t calling. If only he hadn’t gotten involved. Yet, how could he regret doing the exhibit when it had given him the chance to become acquainted with Norah?
“Please show him in.” Simon nodded, hoping to convey that Fletcher had handled the announcement perfectly.
The butler offered a single nod and then backed out to show in Marbury. His uncertainty with handling callers would’ve been amusing if Simon wasn’t so upset.
Marbury strode in, his expression causing Simon to stiffen. It was obvious the earl wasn’t pleased. That made two of them.
Rather than wait for the earl’s disdain, Simon went on the offensive. “Marbury. Are you here to aid or berate?”
“It depends.” Marbury leveled him a look, but he couldn’t possibly make Simon feel worse than he already did. “Do you have any word on the coin?”
“Not as of yet.”
“Then both. What the hell happened?”
“I don’t know.” Simon lifted a hand only to drop it. To have one of the few men he considered a friend glare at him as if he’d kicked a puppy made him feel physically ill. “It was in a locked case. There is no sign of damage. All the employees have been questioned but without results. At this point, we know nothing.”
“Unbelievable.” Marbury rubbed a hand over his face, then glanced about the room as if perplexed. “You have no chairs for visitors?”
“I rarely have any.” Never, in fact. At least, not until the past month. It seemed he was being pried from his reclusive lair regardless of his unwillingness to socialize.
The earl frowned. “You need two just in case.”
“Hmm.” Simon was less than convinced. He didn’t want to make a habit of visitors, despite the recent influx. To his surprise, Marbury carried the chair from in front of the fireplace and set it before Simon’s desk then sat down.
“Tell me what you know.”
“As I said, it’s very little.” Simon sank into his own chair as he shared the few details he had. “If you have any suggestions, I’d be pleased to hear them.”
“I can’t believe this is happening again.” Marbury shook his head, his expression taut.
“Again?”
“David Wright’s journal was stolen soon after Ella and her sisters arrived in London. I believe I mentioned there was a story behind the article I wrote about Wright’s work on Oak Island.”
“Yes, you did.”
“The reason I wrote the first article sharing the reasons why I thought Wright was digging in the wrong place was because someone stole his journal. I hoped that by discrediting his work, the person who had taken the journal wouldn’t be able to sell it. We offered a reward instead.”
“Who took it? Could they be behind this?” Hope speared through him only to falter at Marbury’s dour expression.
“No. The man is in prison for theft as well as murder. Not only did he steal the journal, but he also killed someone who wasn’t cooperating in his scheme.”
