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“Isn’t Vincent Evans, the owner, one of your main competitors?”
“Yes. All the more reason Stockton would seek employment there.”
“On his second visit, which I just witnessed, he carried in a bulging valise and returned without it.”
Simon frowned. Was there a chance he’d been right about Stockton all along?
“Did you have a chance to speak with Emerson about Stockton as we discussed?” Worley asked.
“Yes. Though it wasn’t especially helpful. He doesn’t know much about Stockton personally, nor whether his finances are in poor condition. However, Emerson has the impression Stockton doesn’t care for me.”
“I find that rather suspicious. Did he say anything else?”
“Only that Stockton thinks I’m undeserving of my good fortune.” Simon shook his head, still surprised by the comment.
Worley frowned. “What good fortune?”
“Inheriting the title and my uncle’s collection.”
“Perhaps he should take a moment to count the number of loved ones you lost on your way to inheriting.” Worley practically growled the words.
Simon appreciated that at least one person understood. He would’ve traded all of his inheritance to have his parents back.
“What does Miss Wright think of all this?”
“Norah?” Simon blinked at the sudden change of topic. Or perhaps it was simply the mention of her when he’d been trying so hardnotto think of her. It shattered the fragile hold he had on his self-control.
“She has a fine head on her shoulders,” Worley added. “I would’ve thought you’d seek her opinion on recent events. The two of you have obviously grown close over the past few weeks.”
“The day after the five additional artifacts were taken, I took apart her father’s exhibit and returned the items to her.”
“And?”
Simon looked away, unable to meet his gaze. “I advised her that it was best if our association ended.” He gestured toward the half-packed crates. “My time will be taken with finding homes for the artifacts. I don’t plan to attend any events where I might encounter my cousin, the Countess of Mendenhall. One of the missing artifacts was her father’s.” Explaining his reasoning for saying goodbye to Norah made it feel logical. If only that took away the pain as well.
“You’re just giving up?” Worley shook his head. “Closing the museum and returning to your reclusive ways. Throwing your hands in the air in defeat.” He turned away and then spun back to cast a glare at Simon.
“What would you have me do?” Simon demanded. Anger took hold. Not at Worley but at the situation. Unfortunately, Worley was the nearest target. “Do you have a suggestion to help resolve this mess?” Sarcasm laced his tone as he glowered at the viscount. “I’ve followed every possible lead backward and forward. Nothing else has come to light.”
“Don’t give up. That’s what I want.” Worley folded his arms across his chest. “We need to keep pressing until we have answers.”
“Keep pressing who?” Simon rubbed a hand over his face. “Do you think I haven’t gone through all the details more times than I can count?” He couldn’t sleep. He couldn’t work. His life had been completely turned upside down. But worst of all was stepping away from Norah. “I don’t know what else to do.” He said the last part quietly, his anger having fled as quickly as it came. He looked around the nearly empty exhibit as a matching desolation filled him.
“Don’t give up,” Worley repeated. “I don’t have the answer. But let us at least press forward. I will continue to follow Stockton. Do you know anyone at Evans’s museum who would shed light as to what Stockton may have brought him?”
“I suppose I could ask Emerson to apply for a position there, too. If pushed, Evans might be bold enough to admit it if he has something of our pieces.”
“Yes.” Worley latched onto the suggestion like Simon had thrown him a rope to grab from a sinking boat. “Perfect. What else?”
“Retrace our steps and go over what we’ve already looked through.” Simon felt an odd tangle of hope and despair. However, despair was definitely winning. He remained unconvinced that their efforts would prove fruitful. “I don’t see how we can expect to find new information since we’re covering the same ground.”
“If I learned anything from working with Marbury to find David Wright’s journal, it was that persistence is key. Perhaps we will notice something we didn’t see before. Or whoever is behind this will become nervous when they realize we haven’t given up.”
“I suppose it can’t hurt. But I’m not reopening the museum. I have guards scheduled to make rounds for the next week to make certain nothing else is taken until everything is removed.”
“That makes sense. The last thing you need is additional thefts. None of Stockton’s neighbors had anything of interest to say. I’m going to have my valet have a word with Stockton’s servants. Maybe one of them has noted something unusual. I doubt they’ll speak with me, but they might share it with a fellow servant.”
“Good idea.”
