Depth of Deception (A Titanic Murder Mystery) Read Free Page B

confusion in Winthrope’s face he quickly asked, " Isn’t that why you called me in this morning? "
    " My apologies, " huffed Winthrope. " I had no time to go into details over the phone. I need to pull you off that case. "
    " Have I done something wrong? "
    " Good heavens, no! " retorted Winthrope. " You’re one of the best investigators I know… which is why I need to reassign you to another case. "
    " What of the Bolshar art claim? "
    " Someone else can take over. Have a seat, Callum. " Winthrope gestured to the chair across from his desk. " Can I offer you some coffee? "
    " No! " Callum paused and cleared his throat. " No, thank you. I’m eager to know about this new case. "
    Winthrope peered over his glasses at Callum, then took out a handkerchief and began polishing them as he spoke. It was a nervous habit that Callum had observed over the years. It was something Winthrope did when he was trying to choose his words carefully.
    " Have you heard of the murder of… " Winthrope paused. Was it nerves or dramatic effect? Winthrope put on his glasses before he continued, " The murder of Agatha Gilcrest? "
    Callum arched his back and felt the muscles tighten in his jaw. He needed to be sure he heard correctly . " Did you say Agatha Gilcrest? "
    Winthrope nodded.
    " As in the old woman murdered in Scotland seventy-five years ago? "
    " Precisely. "
    Did he know about it? He knew of the case but it was forbidden to utter the name ‘Agatha Gilcrest’ in Toughill’s home. The case was the very reason Callum Toughill was unable to pursue his true dream of becoming a police of ficer like his grandfather who had been a police detective at the time of the murder. He was later disgraced and forced to resign.
    Once, as a young boy, Callum could see that his grandfather was miserable and asked about it. The usually cheery old man became cross and snarled, " Not something I care to discuss in this lifetime, I shall take the burden to my grave. " And that was the end of the discussion. It was a moment Callum never forgot, and he never dared to mention it again.
    When Callum announced that he was going to pursue a career in law enforcement, his grandfather forbade it. All of his relatives, even ones he only saw at baptisms and funerals, felt the need to contact him and chastise him for opening such horrible wounds in his dear , sweet 'granda'.
    Callum eventually relented, but not because of family pressure. He woul d have gladly proven them wrong; however, when the 'truth' of the past reared its hideous fangs, along with the sneers of his would-be superior officers, Callum came to a sobering realization. It was clear the police force he so wanted to join was not going to be fair. The sins of the father are inherited by the sons. Being an insurance investigator was the closest vocation he could find without carrying a badge that would be forever tarnished through no fault of his own.
    " Yes I know of it, " sighed Callum.
    " Forgive me, " replied Winthrope. " It was a rhetorical question. I’m well aware of your family’s history…. And your grandfather… Jack? "
    " John. My grandfather John, " added Callum dryly. He then leaned in. " What is it about this case that interests you? "
    " The infamous brooch that was stolen, " Winthrope said as he retrieved a photo from a nearby folder and held it up for Callum to see. It was a crescent-shaped silver brooch with twenty-two diamonds. S ome were notably large ones at the thickest curve of the jewelry. It was elegant and stunning. Winthrope continued, " As you know it was never recovered. "
    Callum nodded.
    " What you don’t know is that it may have been on the Titanic when it sank. "
    Callum looked at Winthrope with confusion. He knew Winthrope had a mild… no, severe obsession with the Titanic , but this seemed preposterous. " Are you serious? "
    " Very much so. "
    " And how do we come to this revelation seventy -odd years after the fact? "
    " We, here at Lloyd’s , have been privy