Aslan had a few jewelers he rotated to – some in disguise … one, not. Bess’ was respectable – the kind of place good, upstanding citizens frequented – and so Aslan had never dared. It was just as well, considering she hired him.

She was one of the farther ones. He got out the bicycle, polished and shined the already polished and shined thing just in case Dr. Witaker paid close attention to bicycles, and off he was to Bess’. There were a few missing reports, and he had a list of their descriptions in one pocket.

He wore a proper suit and gloves that fit right, and hoped the old bowler wasn’t too out of fashion for this part of town. Dapper canes and carriages were the realm of his clients, so it always felt a bit similar to … well, breaking and entering, except he was technically allowed to be here.

Aslan opened the shop door, and found the owner absent. In no rush to fetch her and only mildly considering snooping, he took this moment to take out his list and start comparing what was on display.