Bess looked at the rings, one dark eyebrow arching in surprise.  Even without examining them closely, she could tell that they were of superior quality.  She knew that Aslan wasn’t rich so where had he gotten them?  As a reward for solving a case, perhaps?  Maybe they were heirlooms from a family member he had not been fond of.  Or, as she had earlier surmised, he needed money.  She didn’t know a lot about him.  For all she knew, he had an addiction to gambling or was overly fond of loose women.

She picked up one and placed it in the palm of her other hand, watching it glitter in the sun streaming through the glass window.  “We’re doing well.  We just moved into a larger house by the sea.  Our family keeps growing.  Our niece came to live with us and there's a new baby on the way.  The business is expanding as well.  William is in London to open a new branch there.”

Bess sat the ring back on the counter and picked up another.  “Luckily, there have been no more thefts.  We’ve been thinking of hiring a guard to watch the store at night.  The second floor of the shop can be turned into living quarters.  Would you know of a trustworthy man who might be interested in the position?”