Chapter 4 #2
‘Mrs Pettigrew’s lady’s maid, Rose, told me that she noticed a faint smell of lavender when she went to ready the chamber for her employer to retire,’ Arabella interrupted, ‘but according to her, at that time there was no jewellery box visible on the dressing table, either closed or open.’
‘If Rose is telling the truth…’ Alex started.
‘…Oh, I’m certain she is…’ intercepted Mrs Pettigrew, horrified that the integrity of her lady’s maid had been brought into question.
‘No doubt you are right,’ Arabella smiled at the matron. ‘I believe my sister is trying to establish the timeframe for the theft.’
Alex nodded. ‘It would mean that the necklace was not stolen until the very end of the evening. Which is strange, since there would be far greater risk of being caught as the soiree was drawing to a close.’
Bella added the information given to her by the other servants, though she didn’t mention that the maid Sally had seemed particularly nervous.
‘How many guests were at the party?’ Beatrix asked.
Mrs Pettigrew sighed. ‘I have already informed the police that there were eleven guests, although…’ She paused and frowned. ‘I’m not sure whether I told them that there should have been twelve.’
‘I assume you’ve given a list of names to the police?’ Alex quizzed her. A quick look towards Benedict Hartley elicited a small nod.
‘We were unaware that you had invited a twelfth guest however.’
‘I was told that one of the guests left the soiree early,’ Bella added. ‘Was there a particular reason?’
‘Ah, Edward Lovelace. He had to return home to his wife – she was the missing twelfth guest. Evelina had caught the most dreadful cold, poor dear, and understandably did not wish to pass it on to anyone else.’ There was a brisk knock on the door and seconds later, Sally entered with a small bob.
‘Wilfred says to tell you your carriage is waitin’ ma’am.’
Mrs Pettigrew sighed. ‘I’m afraid I must leave you.
I am chairwoman of the local flower club, and naturally, I take responsibilities seriously.
Please feel free to finish your tea. Sally will show you all out.
’ She stood up and walked towards the door before turning back to Arabella.
‘I will sign the contract and return it to your father forthwith.’ Then, catching sight of Benedict Hartley’s frown, added, ‘I trust you will be able to work together congenially, and I await further developments with bated breath. Good day to you all.’ Without further ado, she swept through the door, which shut decisively behind her.
There was silence until Chief Inspector Hartley broke it with a sigh of his own. ‘While I fully applaud your efforts in the Winner Street case, I’m afraid I cannot pretend to be happy about Mrs Pettigrew’s decision. In my experience, such collaborations rarely end well.’
Both Alexandra and Arabella bristled at his patronising tone, but unusually, it was Bella who spoke first.
‘Nevertheless, Mrs Pettigrew has made it perfectly clear that she wishes us to work together. Naturally, as an agent of the law, it is your prerogative to work alone. However, as our last case attests, Chief Inspector, we are good at what we do. Investigating these thefts separately will not only result in all of us duplicating our efforts, but you also risk the possibility that we will solve the crime before the Police does, which, dare I say it, will not reflect well on you.’ Her words were concise and abrupt, with no effort made to butter any self-esteem, as was her usual wont.
Both Alexandra and Beatrix stared at their sister in surprise.
Benedict Hartley raised his eyebrows at her speech, but otherwise gave no indication that he was in any way offended. Indeed, he actually gave a rueful smile. ‘Touché, Miss Shackleford. Please accept my apologies if I offended you. I am simply accustomed to working alone.’
Bella opened her mouth to say something further, but after a frown at her twin, Alex jumped in. ‘So, now we’ve established that we will indeed be collaborating, perhaps now would be a good time to go over the evidence and decide our next steps.’
Benedict nodded. ‘I will provide you with the guest list...’
‘…What about the guests at the other soirees?’ Beatrix interrupted. ‘Have you cross-referenced them…?’
‘…And what about the servants, tradespeople, delivery men…?’
‘I believe that the maid, Sally did not divulge everything she knows – she seemed particularly nervous during our conversation. I would most certainly like to question her again…’
Benedict held up his hand, stemming the flow of words. ‘One thing at a time, ladies. First of all, you have been employed by Mrs Pettigrew to investigate her theft. However, since you are not involved in the other ongoing investigations, I am not at liberty to share what we know.’
‘Well, when will you be at liberty? It makes no sense at all to keep us in the dark since all four thefts are almost certainly connected.’ Alexandra threw up her hands in frustration. To her surprise, Benedict Hartley gave a swift nod.
‘I agree. Once I return to the station, I will speak with Sir Drayton and enlist his support to involve your agency.’ There was an almost painful silence, broken only by Beatrix’s muttered, ‘Well, that’s that then.’
‘Chief Inspector, I find it almost impossible to believe that you are ignorant of the fact that Sir Drayton was the person who stripped our father of his rank before unceremoniously throwing him out of the police force and destroying his reputation.’ Alexandra’s voice was brisk, almost scornful.
Another brief nod told her all she needed to know.
‘I am also fully cognisant of how and why such an absurdity was allowed to happen,’ Benedict conceded. ‘As well as what transpired after your father’s departure.’
Arabella creased her brow. ‘Well, you yourself, sir, are absolute proof that his post was filled almost immediately. Undoubtedly, Sir Drayton has ensured that all his achievements have been completely forgotten about.’
‘On the contrary,’ Benedict answered. ‘Henry Shackleford was very well thought of, and Sir Drayton has since come under significant scrutiny over his handling of the affair – not least because of the suspicious involvement of his son. I believe I am safe in telling you that my personal opinion of the Chief Commissioner is not dissimilar to your father’s.
That said, I must tread carefully if I am not to alienate his lordship entirely – a situation that will not help any of us.
As things stand, I believe he will not wish to give the impression that he is impeding the investigation in any way.
’ Benedict gave a wry chuckle before adding, ‘If only because of the fact that all four victims are ladies of good standing and have much influence in the local area.’ He shook his head and sighed.
‘But the fact remains that he’s treading on thin ice and knows it.
For that reason, I believe Sir Drayton will give permission for Shackleford and Daughters to act as consultants in the ongoing investigation. ’