The Ashgrove Sapphire
An antiques auction house during a blackout
The briefing
You arrive to find the salesroom buzzing with anxious bidders and five staff and agents who all had the run of the building. The owner demands answers, and the house director has asked you to find the thief quietly.
The Ashgrove sapphire brooch, star lot of the evening sale, was found gone when the auctioneer called for it to be brought to the rostrum at 8:15 pm. Its owner, Lady Ashgrove, was sitting in the front row.
The suspects
- Imogen Vance, Head cataloguer
- Conrad Pryce, Head porter
- Delphine Marsh, Auctioneer's assistant
- Edmund Thorne, Visiting valuer
- Fenella Ashby, Private buyer's agent
Places and items in the file
Places: Viewing Gallery, Packing Room, Cellar Vault, Auctioneer's Office.
Items: Brass Master Key, Glass Cutter, Lock Pick Set, Porter's Trolley.