New Evidence

Barlow's Journal
04 Feb

While I was skeptical at first at Scotland Yard's insistence on securing aid from an indentured servant , the addition of Ms Duchamp has certainly helped us narrow down our search area. While I'm pleased that she took care of her maidenhood quickly as to aid in her undercover work, I am a little shocked just how quickly and strongly the Blush has taken her. Most new arrivals start to notice the effects after a couple of weeks, but not so for her. At least it has seemed to lift her spirits.

My informant, a shoeshine boy named Basim, related to me that after I returned her to her hotel last evening, she left her room and went shopping for risque clothing at a Hindu boudoir. I fear that if I don't keep her distracted, she'll end up like so many wayward Rajan girls, lost in the underbelly of Kanda's sex trade, lost to the Blush and 'Rilla Nectar addiction.

Aside from Ms Duchamp's newfound utility, another clue was found. The silk used to strangled poor Alice Thurgood last year was imported from Hong Kong province on the Cosmofreighter "Dragon's Luck", which arrived only a few weeks before the event. This tells me that not only is our murderer wealthy enough to afford silk that goes for 500 Pounds per bolt, he also that he could have only purchased this silk in one place: New Thames. The Hindu market there is finest in all of Rajah, and the exclusive purveyor of fine silks from China.

Now, of course it is possible that he hired someone to make the purchase, but regardless our list of suspects, once a vast pool of nearly every man on Rajah-4, has been narrowed down to someone both wealthy enough to buy brand new silk, but if Ms Duchamp's undercover work proves successful, also a deviant strangulator.

I've booked passage for myself, Kamal, and Ms Duchamp tomorrow. I pray she is not too exhausted from her time at Madame Delacroix's establishment. From what I understand, it is a rather crude and undignified house of ill repute. Once we are in New Thames, I will have to set an appointment for her to receive the Proteus Treatment, as her status did not permit her to receive it before departure. While Scotland Yard may wince at the bite of the expensive procedure, I am certain that her current lifestyle would be too much for her youthful appearance to handle for long, and we are only just now scratching the surface of this mystery.

Addendum: I've just received word that a similar **** had occurred in Old Bombay. Is it possible this person is riding the Cosmoliners? If so, we'll have our work cut out for us. Details were similar. Lydia Stodden, 19 year old brunette; daughter of Lord Carl Stodden. She was attending a play the night of her disappearance. Her escort, a Mr Pahnel, was brutally murdered in an alleyway with what appears to be a large, bladed instrument. She was found nude in a water fountain, strangled with Chinese silk.