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“She was rather unconventional,” Violet said. “An independent spirit, one might say. Iris was a bit shocked at how free Miss Collier was with her…affections. She had many suitors.”

Delacourt added, “The young lady was spirited and quite fond of…frivolity. She was forever inviting Iris to a party or a dance hall.”

“And did Miss Delacourt accompany her to such places?” Gideon asked.

Once again, the father and daughter shared a look that felt full of meaning. Electra could sense unease from Miss Delacourt, but she found Mr. Delacourt impervious to her abilities.

“Iris accompanied her to a dance hall on one occasion,” Violet confided. “Though she came home vowing that she would never go again.” Violet smiled softly. “She didn’t enjoy it and said she would far prefer to be at home reading or sketching.”

“You mentioned Miss Collier had many suitors,” Gideon said. “Do you know the names of any of those gentlemen?”

Both shook their heads.

Delacourt sighed. “Iris mentioned that several gentlemen were vying for Miss Collier’s attention. My daughter, quite rightly,” he emphasized, “seemed to consider it all scandalous. Though keeping men dancing to her tune apparently amused Miss Collier.” His jaw flexed and he shook his head as if he could hardly bear to discuss the matter. “The two could not have been more different.”

Violet shifted a bit on the cushion where she sat, her brow furrowed as she peered at Gideon. “Iris was dismayed by Miss Collier’s fate, Inspector, but have you found some connection between that poor young woman’s death and Iris’s disappearance?”

The notion seemed to intrigue her, but Electra found it difficult to believe that neither of them had considered the possibility.

“I have found no connection as of yet.” Gideon’s voice held a note of calm certainty that seemed to satisfy Miss Delacourt.

Roger Delacourt bent forward again. “You’re to be finding my daughter, Inspector. Miss Collier’s death is tragic, but whatever drove her to such a choice can have had nothing to do with Iris.”

Gideon glanced at Electra. She wasn’t certain whether he wanted her to try to touch something or do something.

“Miss Collier’s cause of death was not as the police initially assumed.” Gideon let the statement hang for a moment before adding, “There was an inquest yesterday afternoon. Perhaps you have not read about it in the papers.”

“I have been too occupied to attend to the newspapers,” Delacourt bit out.

“The determination was murder,” Gideon told him in a cool tone. “She met a violent end. Her death was not by her own hand.”

Miss Delacourt gasped. Her father’s eyes widened.

“Did she ever come to visit Iris here?” Electra asked.

“On a couple of occasions,” Violet said softly. “They took tea together here in the sitting room and talked. I don’t know what they discussed, but there was a good deal of whispering and giggling. Miss Collier did make Iris laugh.”

Electra had the urge to touch Violet Delacourt’s hand. Had she overheard something that might lead them to Iris? Could some secret that Miss Collier confided endanger them both somehow?

“Your sister must have been shocked by Miss Collier’s death,” Electra said, then realized she’d failed to ask a question.

“She was.”

“Did she have theories about what had happened?”

Roger Delacourt sighed. “Yet again, I must ask how this girl’s tragedy will help us find my daughter?”

“Mr. Delacourt…” Gideon paused.

Electra sensed he was trying to toe the line between being forceful and recalling the man’s importance to those high in Her Majesty’s government and the need to tread carefully.

“We must examine all avenues of inquiry that might lead us to your daughter, sir,” Gideon continued, his tone measured. “Her friends, how she spent her time, and those she spoke to day to day fall within that scope. Since Miss Collier was killed only days before your daughter’s disappearance, a connection between the two events is something we must consider.”

Violet glanced at her father and then fixed her gaze on Electra. “Miss Collier had rowed with a young man at the museum. Something about a theft. I don’t know all the details, but Iris did think Miss Collier was frightened in the days before her death.”

“Do you know the man’s name?” Gideon asked.

Electra could feel his excitement at the prospect of a lead.