Chapter Fourteen #2
Annie heaved an exaggerated sigh. “Be good enough to ignore them, sir. It is simply two opinionated women having a friendly discussion. Please, go ahead with what you have to say.”
The hint of a smile came and went. “First of all, Miss Fairfax, I must ask if you have seen or heard from Leopold De Witte since you left London.”
“No, sir, I have not. He doesn’t know where I am.”
“That is my understanding, but I just wanted to be sure he hasn’t, somehow, become aware of your location.”
Annie tensed. “Is there a possibility he has?”
The man grimaced. “I suppose there is always a possibility of it, albeit highly unlikely. As previously stated, in my opinion there is no cause for alarm.”
The sound of raised voices in the kitchen subsided, much to Annie’s relief. “Then with respect, sir, why are you here?”
“Simply because you need to be made aware of that unlikely possibility, Miss Fairfax.” He cleared his throat.
“Archibald Mason’s office was broken into several days ago.
A few things were stolen, though nothing of great value.
The filing cabinet, where Archibald keeps his customer files under lock and key, including yours, does not appear to have been compromised.
Nevertheless, I would ask you to remain vigilant. ”
Annie absorbed the information. “Thank you, Inspector, I appreciate being kept informed, but while I have no desire to see Leopold again, I still maintain he would do me no physical harm.”
“Better safe than sorry, Miss Fairfax,” Taggart replied, his eyes narrowing slightly as he regarded her. “That said, I should inform you we are currently investigating another incident that may or may not be connected to Leopold De Witte.”
Annie frowned. “What kind of incident?”
“It concerns the whereabouts of Mr. Karl Hoffman, the fellow who interrupted your wedding ceremony. You remember him, of course.”
“Of course.”
“Well, it would appear Mr. Hoffman has gone missing.”
Annie shifted in her seat. “Missing?”
Taggart nodded. “It seems he never returned to Germany. Have you seen him at all since the day of the wedding?”
“I have not, sir. He stayed with me till the police left and the undertaker came to collect my father.” Annie’s throat tightened. “But he left immediately afterward and I haven’t seen or heard from him since.”
Frowning, the inspector leaned forward. “I apologize, Miss Fairfax, if you find this upsetting.”
“I’m all right, sir, but thank you. Actually, now I come to think of it, I believe Mr. Hoffman gave the police his London address.”
“Yes, he did, but he apparently vacated the place three weeks ago without notice.”
“I see. How did you learn of this? I mean, that Mr. Hoffman never went home?”
“We recently had a visit from his father. The family received a letter from Mr. Hoffman not long after he arrived in London, but they’ve heard nothing since. Naturally, they’re worr—”
There came a couple of quick knocks on the door, which then opened, and Hattie entered, balancing a tea tray on one hand, her expression a little pinched. “Here you are.” She set the tray down on the small table next to Annie’s chair. “Shall I pour?”
“No, it’s all right, I can manage,” Annie replied. “Thank you, Hattie. That’ll be all.”
Taggart shifted in his seat. “Actually, I’d like Mrs. Henshaw to stay here for now. What I have to say next concerns her.”
Hattie’s eyes widened. “Me?”
“Yes,” he replied. “Specifically, your visit to Archibald Mason’s office and what you told him that day.”
“Ah.” Hattie fiddled with her apron.
“What you told Mr. Mason, Hattie?” Annie shook her head. “I don’t recall you telling him anything, specifically.”
“That’s because you were not present at the time, Miss Fairfax,” Taggart said. “And I’m assuming, from your reaction, that Mrs. Henshaw has not yet spoken to you about it.”
Annie threw a questioning look at Hattie. “You spoke to Mr. Mason alone? When?”
“That same day,” Hattie replied. “If you recall, I left my umbrella behind. I spoke to Mr. Mason when I went to collect it.”
Confused, Annie shook her head. “Spoke to him about what?”
Hattie gestured to the settee. “May I sit?”
Annie gave a nod. “Please do.”
Hattie perched herself on the edge of the settee and looked expectedly at the inspector. “Do you want me to repeat what I told Mr. Mason that day, sir?”
“Actually, no, Mrs. Henshaw,” Taggart replied, after a moment.
“I’d prefer to relay what I’ve been told and for you to correct me if necessary.
So, to begin, you told Mr. Mason you’d noticed a ring on Leopold De Witte’s finger when he came to visit Miss Fairfax a fortnight after the funeral. Is that right?”
Hattie nodded. “Yes, that’s right.”
Taggart looked at Annie. “Is Mr. De Witte in the habit of wearing a ring, Miss Fairfax?”
Annie, who had been staring at Hattie, pushed through the fog of confusion in her mind and shifted her attention to Taggart. “Er, yes, he is, actually. A gold signet ring.”
Taggart nodded. “Now, Mrs. Henshaw, can you describe the ring you saw when Mr. De Witte visited that day?’
“It was not a signet ring,” Hattie said, with a firm shake of her head. “It was a simple gold band with a single jewel embedded in it. A diamond, I assume, since it had no color.”
“And I believe you told Mr. Mason you were certain you’d seen that same ring on Karl Hoffman’s finger.”
Annie gasped. “Surely not.”
“That’s what I told him, yes.” Hattie regarded Annie.
“I remember it, because the day of the wedding was cloudy at first, but the sun came through the windows while Mr. Hoffman was, um, while he was checking your poor father for a pulse. The ring he was wearing, or rather, the jewel in it, glinted, and it caught my eye.”
A memory flared and Annie gripped the chair arms. “Actually, yes, I noticed that as well.”
Taggart nodded. “Good. Please go on, Mrs. Henshaw. Tell me why you suspect Leopold De Witte to be involved in Mr. Hoffman’s disappearance.”
Hattie cleared her throat. “Because the day Leo came to the house and, in my opinion, threatened Miss Fairfax, he was also wearing a ring. I might not have noticed it if he hadn’t lifted his hand to touch your cheek, Annie.
You turned your cheek away, remember? That’s when I saw it, and I knew I’d seen it before, and I also knew where.
It was the same ring I’d seen on Mr. Hoffman’s finger.
” She shook her head. “My blood ran cold, let me tell you. I knew, right then, that I had to get you out of the city, and the sooner the better.”
“Why didn’t you tell me about this, Hattie?” Annie demanded, but the answer occurred to her as soon as the words left her mouth. “Never mind. I know what you’re going to say. You didn’t want to frighten me. It just makes me wonder what else you haven’t mentioned.”
“Just watching out for you, pet,” Hattie replied. “That’s all.”
Taggart appeared to ponder. “What threat was made to you, Miss Fairfax?”
Annie blinked. “Er, if I recall correctly, he said I would live to regret my decision.”
“A decision pertaining to…?”
“Renewing our engagement.”
“You decided against it, of course.”
“Yes.”
“Leopold De Witte is a dangerous man, and no one will convince me otherwise,” Hattie retorted. “I’d bet everything I own he’s responsible for Mr. Hoffman’s disappearance.”
“But there’s no proof, Hattie,” Annie pointed out. “It could be he simply owns a similar ring.”
Hattie huffed. “In all the times you spent with him, did you ever see him wearing a ring like that?”
“Not that I recall, no, but—”
“Well, there you are then,” Hattie replied, with a resolute nod.
“It is speculative at the moment,” Taggart said, “but worthy of investigation, I think. Thank you, Mrs. Henshaw. That will be all.”
“Ah. Right.” Hattie got to her feet. “Well, I’ll be in the kitchen if you need me.” She gave what Annie knew to be a false smile. “Janet tells me you had an exceptionally interesting day, Miss Annie. I look forward to hearing about it later.”
Annie merely nodded. I swear, Hattie Henshaw, there are times… “I suppose I should have asked at the beginning, Inspector,” she said, as Hattie left and closed the door, “but have you actually spoken to Leopold?”
“Not since he was cleared following the events in the church, Miss Fairfax, no. Unfortunately, like Karl Hoffman, he seems to have disappeared. It could be he’s no longer in the country, but we’re still on the lookout for him.”
“The last time we spoke, he said he’d rented rooms somewhere.”
“Yes, we’re aware of that, but he’s no longer at that address.”
“Karl Hoffman swore he’d track him down,” Annie said. “It was the last thing he said to me at the end of that horrible day.”
“And perhaps he did,” Taggart replied. “There’s a possibility a confrontation took place between these two men, and it did not end well for one of them.”
Annie sighed and slumped back in her chair. “What a mess.”
“Indeed.” Taggart leaned forward. “You’ve been through a lot, Miss Fairfax. There is just one more issue to be cleared up, then I shall leave you in peace.”
Annie frowned. “What issue?”
“Julian Northcott.”
Her stomach did a flip. “What of him?”
“You know the gentleman?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Are you aware he visited Archibald several weeks ago and enquired as to your whereabouts? Left his card, apparently.”
“Yes, fully aware.” Annie couldn’t help but smile. “I actually spent some time with Mr. Northcott today, at Myddleton House. Our meeting was coincidental. A complete surprise. That’s what Hattie was referring to just now.”
“Ah, I see. Yes, he’s Lord Hutton’s nephew, I understand.” Taggart rose to his feet and returned the smile. “I didn’t think he was a risk. Now, I must take my leave of you.”
“You’re very thorough, Inspector Taggart,” Annie said, rising also, “and I’m very grateful. I appreciate you coming all this way.”
“You’re very welcome, Miss Fairfax.”
“Are you heading back to London today, sir?” Annie asked, as they stepped out into the hallway. “I didn’t notice a horse or carriage outside.”