“You can tell who has been to auctions before and who has not,” she leaned over and whispered into his ear.

“Have you been to many?”

“My father used to drag me to them as a child but as I grew, I started bidding and the excitement of the chase got me hooked. On occasion, and don’t tell anyone, not that you would and who would care, I would bid up an item for fun.” She covered her wide-open mouth and then smiled at him. “Have you been to many?”

“I once bought a car from an auction. Art? No. Couldn’t afford that.”

The lamp came up and the lady on the other side started bidding. Sophia raised her number twice before not bidding anymore.

“You want that lamp?”

“No. It’s wouldn’t match a thing in my flat.”

“Then why did you bid on it?”

“I don’t like the look that old woman keeps giving us. Now she has to pay more.”

“That’s terribly mean.”

“Yes. I’m sorry. Perhaps she will get me back by bidding on the Tipring paintings. Though, I can’t think of anyone here wanting those. Has any of his family or friends arrived?”

Theo hadn’t searched the room since Sophia had arrived. She had the ability to mesmerize him. He went up and down the rows with his eyes.

“Yes, there’s the nurse,” he said, motioning with his eyes.

“Oh, perhaps she wants some of his work. I hope she doesn’t try to buy them all. I know I can outbid her but I wouldn’t want to take all of it away from her.”

“Let her bid on some.”

“Good idea.” She flipped a page in her booklet. “Is she upset that you didn’t solve his murder?”

“I haven’t spoken to her in a long time. I feel bad that all the leads went cold.”

“Is that why you’re here, hoping to uncover something?”

He stared at her in wonderment. “Maybe.”

“Don’t beat yourself up, not all cases get solved. You’re still the detective I like most.”

“How are things with you? Did you ever crack Tipring’s uncle’s coded shorthand?”

“I did actually, but the pages were filled with vague notes. Lots of numbers. I tried to trace them but couldn’t find anything. The word blocks was underlined but again it meant nothing. Some odd verses. I really couldn’t make heads or tails of it and because he’s dead I can’t ask him about it. Sorry. I hoped it could help your case. What are you working on now?”

“Nothing that would interest you. I’m currently investigating the death of a woman—stabbed in her flat. We’re hoping to find the killer among the CCTV footage.”

“Another stabbing. Just like Doc, is it? Maybe they have the same killer.”

He smiled. “Highly unlikely.”

The Tipring art came up for bid and Sophia waited until she was assured the nurse didn’t intend to bid on the first lot. She didn’t have to worry—no one bid at all. The first lot went to Sophia and so did the second, third, and fourth. She bought all of them. The nurse turned to look at her. She was beaming.

“What the hell am I going to do with all that tile?” she asked him, grabbing his arm. “I’m going to have to store it in my other flat for now.”

After two more lots, the auction was over. Sophia went over to her purchase and ran her fingers over the top of the tiles. Theo followed behind.

The nurse came over.

“I just want to thank you,” she said to Sophia. “I didn’t think anyone would buy it and yet here you went and bought it all. Thank you. It would have meant a lot to him. He cherished each one of those.” She reached out and touched one of the pieces of art. “I was never allowed to touch them. Not even to dust. He was odd that way.” She looked at Sophia. “I’m glad you recognized his talent.”

Without another word, she walked away, clutching her handbag tightly under her arm.

“Who receives the money?” Sophia asked him.

“The proceeds go to charity—animals or something like that. Perhaps cancer research.”

She laughed. “Those two things are not related at all. I won’t be able to take these home with me tonight. I suppose I best sort out the payment and transport of my precious new artwork. I am surprised none of his family came. Did they even attend the funeral?”

“They were not a close family. It’s sad really.”

Theo had asked her for coffee but she refused. He wanted to ask her for a reason but she had turned to go before he could.

Chapter Forty-Eight

Theo sighed and pushed open the door to the autopsy room. The dead looked so foreign in the cold, sterile room.

“Tell me what you know, doc,” he asked as he entered the room.

“Cause of death was stabbing. The knife penetrated the heart. The good news is, I don’t think she suffered. The killer caught her unawares and . . .” He made a stabbing motion with his hand. “Reminds me a lot of the last stabbing case you had.”

Theo leaned forward. “You’re the second person who mentioned the connection.”

“Do you think there is a connection?”

“No, unlikely,” he said.

“I would have to check my notes, and although they appear to be similar, they are different. If you like, after the autopsy we can compare the case notes on both victims,” Dr. Waynton said.

After the autopsy was over, he led Theo into his office.

“Have a seat,” he said and motioned Theo toward a chair. He went over to a filing cabinet and quickly retrieved a file. “Here we are, Maddock Tipring.”

With both files opened side by side on his desk, he ran his fingers down each page.

“According to forensics and the knife wound measurement, the knives were different. The one that stabbed Doc was a standard flat edge kitchen knife while the other, while still a kitchen knife, had a serrated edge. Both wounds were not deep but they both hit the mark. Based on the angle of each of the wounds, one killer was taller than the other but not more than ten centimeters. No, it is my opinion that the two victims were killed by two different killers.”

“All right,” Theo replied.

“I’m sorry, detective,” he continued. “I would like to tell you that they had the same killer, then perhaps you can solve two cases but, no. I’m sorry.”

“Is there anything you can give me, anything to help me find Sharon’s killer?”

“Based on height and force behind the thrust, I would say you’re looking for a woman rather than a man. Now, that’s just a guess.”

“Really? A woman?”

“That, old chap, is only a guess. I wouldn’t want to rule out men but this is likely woman’s work.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Theo started out the door but stopped. “One more thing, doc. My prime suspect in Sharon’s murder was a woman, but she died. You’ll not believe this, but she died the day Sharon did.”

“What? That can’t be a coincidence.”

“My thoughts exactly. I requested an autopsy and when it’s completed, I’ll send you the report. I worry she was murdered as well.”

“Was she stabbed?”

“No. Apparently she died of a heart attack.”

“But you suspect something sinister like poison?”

“I would like to rule it out.”

“I will have a look.”

“Thank you.”

Theo returned to the incident room an hour later. Dorland wasn’t around.

“Has anyone seen Dorland?” Theo called out. Everyone shook their heads. When he dialed Dorland’s number, a mobile went off behind him. He turned to see Dorland take his mobile out of his pocket and fling his jacket over the back of his chair.

“Where have you been?”

“I had to take my sister to the doctor. Didn’t you receive my voicemail?”

Theo looked at his screen. There were no messages.

“Is your sister sick?”

“No.”

Theo wanted to probe further but by the time he had listened to all three messages Dorland had begun going through footage of CCTV.

“How much more do you have to go through?”

“I’ve finished going through all of it. Unfortunately, I haven’t found anyone suspicious. There were so many people coming and going from the building that day it could be anyone. It must have been the biggest birthday party on the planet with all the children and parents. In fact, around the time of the murder the doors into the building were propped open so that each parent didn’t have to buzz up to the flat. The killer would have used that opportunity to enter without having to alert anyone of their arrival. Also, the party did outdoor and indoor activities so people were constantly going in and out.”