Devil nodded. “He would have had to go through it. He probably did, but as he’s not going about much anyway, his social absence that night can hardly be cited as evidence.”
They all grimaced, rather grimly, then turned to Gabriel.
“Whether this means anything or not I don’t know,” he said, “but it’s definitely deuced odd. I checked the list of bequests, all those involving items of value. There were nine such bequests, all of antiques, specific pieces that Camden had collected over the last decade.
“All the pieces were highly valuable. Eight went to men Camden had known for decades, most from his early years in diplomatic circles. Those eight fit the mold of old and valued friend. I ran the list past Lucifer—”
“All eight are known collectors,” Lucifer said. “The pieces each received fit perfectly into their collections. From what I saw in Half Moon Street, those bequests didn’t leave holes in Camden’s collection. He’d clearly viewed the pieces as gifts from the first, so it’s no surprise they were listed in his will.”
“Subsequently,” Gabriel resumed, “I quietly asked around and confirmed none of those eight are in any way pressed for cash.”
“Nor do any of them have the reputation of those I term ‘rabid collectors,’ ” Lucifer added.
“So eight bequests make eminent sense and raise no hares,” Michael said. “What of the ninth?”
“That’s where things become interesting.” Gabriel met Michael’s eyes. “On first reading, I didn’t realize its significance. The ninth bequest is described as ‘a Louis XIV desk set in marble and gold, jewel-encrusted.’ ”
“However,” Lucifer took up the tale, “that particular piece is not simply a desk set created in the time of Louis XIV—it was Louis XIV’s desk set. It’s worth a not-so-small fortune.”
“Who is the ninth legatee?’ Devil asked.
Gabriel looked at him. “He’s listed as T. M. C. Danvers.”
“Breckenridge?” Michael stared. “Is he a collector, too?”
“No,” Lucifer said, a touch grimly. “He isn’t—not at all.”
“But you know of him,” Gabriel said. “I searched everywhere, but I couldn’t find any connection between Camden Sutcliffe and Breckenridge, other than that, due to some reason, they knew each other.”
“Caro said they’d known each other for thirty years—all Breckenridge’s life.” Michael frowned. “She’s given Breckenridge Camden’s letters to read, explained what we’re looking for.” He glanced at the others. “She trusts him completely.”
Their frowns stated that they, as he, thought Caro had no business trusting a man of Breckenridge’s ilk.
“Did she explain what the connection between Sutcliffe and Breckenridge was?” Devil asked.
“No, but it’s not through political or diplomatic circles—I’d know if Breckenridge was a player there, and he isn’t.” Michael felt his face hardening. “I’ll ask her.” He looked at Gabriel. “If he’s not a collector, could money be the motive?”
Gabriel grimaced. “I’d so like to say yes, but all the answers I got say otherwise. Breckenridge is Brunswick’s heir, and Brunswick is as financially solid as the proverbial rock. When it comes to money, Breckenridge is his father’s son; his investments are sound, even a touch conservative for my taste, and his income greatly exceeds his expenditures. Breckenridge certainly has a vice, but it’s not the tables, it’s women, and even there, he’s careful. I couldn’t find the slightest sign any harpy has her talons in him, let alone to the extent of bleeding him.”
Devil murmured, “From all I’ve heard, Breckenridge is considered a dangerous man to cross. There seems no reason to think him a blackmailer, yet equally I can’t see him as a blackmailer’s victim.”
“Forced to act as a pawn in bleeding Sutcliffe?” Lucifer asked.
Devil nodded. “Highly unlikely, I should think.”
“So what we have is a nobleman with no explainable connection to Sutcliffe being left a disguised but sizeable fortune in his will.” Michael paused, then added, “There has to be a reason.”
“Indeed,” Devil said. “And while we know the Portuguese are attempting to suppress something in Sutcliffe’s past, and can surmise they might wish to permanently silence Caro, there’s the possibility the attempts on her life stem from something quite different.”
“Like Sutcliffe’s treasures.” Lucifer rose. “We need to learn what the connection between Sutcliffe and Breckenridge was with all speed.”
“Caro knows what it is.” Michael rose, as did the others; he glanced at them. “I’ll go and ask.”
Devil clapped him on the shoulder as they turned to the door. “If it’s anything potentially damning, let us know.”
Michael nodded.
Lucifer opened the door—just as Honoria swept up. She halted in the corridor, her hazel eyes noting each one.