Chapter 5 #3
Breakfast with Harmony was a hurried affair.
Usually we had time to chat over coffee and eggs on toast while she was supposed to be cleaning my room, but whenever she stepped into the role of Floyd’s assistant, she had to rush off.
We did manage a few minutes together, along with Victor who’d brought up the tray.
When I saw him at the door holding it, I ushered him inside before anyone saw him.
If one of the cooks was seen with my breakfast tray, instead of a footman, awkward questions would be asked.
Harmony and Victor exchanged sweet smiles as he set down the tray. “To what do we owe this pleasure?” she asked, reaching for the coffee pot.
Victor declined my offer to sit with us and remained standing. “Mrs. Poole informed me that Miss Fox came looking for me late yesterday. I wanted to check everything was all right.”
I buttered a piece of toast as I considered how much to tell them.
I decided to tell them everything. They were both trustworthy, and it would come out eventually anyway.
“Harry and I are investigating the murder of Mr. Arkwright’s biographer.
Goliath came to Harry after he was seen leaving the crime scene. ”
Harmony gasped. “That’s why he didn’t return to the residence hall last night. All the staff were talking about it this morning.”
“He hasn’t come in for his shift, either,” Victor added. “He’s well hidden?”
“For now,” I said. “As long as the police don’t find out he works here, he should be safe. Speaking of which, have either of you seen this morning’s newspapers? I want to see if a description of Goliath has been printed yet.”
Both shook their heads. “It may not take long before the other staff realize he’s tangled up in the murder,” Victor said.
“I’m glad you and Harry are working on solving it together,” Harmony said. “You’ll get to the bottom of it.” Her confidence in us was comforting. Harmony never doled out praise where she didn’t feel it wasn’t deserved.
“We need to get to the bottom of it before the press get wind of the hotel’s connection, not only to the main suspect but also to Mr. Arkwright,” I said. “If we don’t, the special dinner you’re arranging could be jeopardized.”
She cracked the shell of her boiled egg with a heavy-handed tap of her spoon. “Then let’s get on with it. Tell us what you have planned, Cleo, and we’ll try to help.”
By the time I finished bringing them up to date with what Harry and I knew, it was time for them both to leave. Neither could come up with further ideas to pursue, but they promised to think about it throughout the day.
I threw on a hat and coat then went downstairs to the foyer. I informed Peter that Uncle Ronald had approved of him working for me that morning. “It’s for an investigation with Mr. Armitage, but I’m afraid I can’t tell you what it’s about.”
The assistant manager accepted the list from me.
“It must be important if your instructions come from the top.” He was good-natured man, with a diplomatic manner that reminded me of Mr. Hobart’s.
He would make an excellent manager one day, but he still had quite a lot to learn before he could step into Mr. Hobart’s shoes.
“All you need to do is verify that Mr. Symond was with these clients yesterday morning, and what time he arrived and left each one. Also note how long it takes to get from one to the other to give us a full timeline of his movements.”
A shout made us both turn toward the entrance where Frank was attempting to stop a middle-aged fellow dressed in a cap and working man’s clothes from entering.
“I ain’t with them!” the man shouted in a sharp cockney accent. “I’m ‘ere to see the bloke who’s been keeping my inheritance from me! Get out of my way or I’ll knock yer block off.” He shoved Frank.
Frank lost his balance and fell over. Guests gasped and stared but it was Peter who rushed to intercept the agitated man.
Mr. Hobart suddenly appeared seemingly out of thin air, and hurried in their direction.
I followed. Sometimes a family member of the owner gave a measure of authority, although I wasn’t sure the man cared about that.
He seemed intent on getting past us. It was times like this when Goliath’s physical presence would have been helpful.
Fortunately the man wasn’t large, and Peter, Mr. Hobart and a recovered Frank managed to capture him and wrestle him back outside.
I followed, only to stop short on the pavement.
The second doorman had his hands full, attempting to keep another three men from entering the hotel.
One of them clutched a camera and tripod, the other two brandished pencils and notepads.
Fortunately, they weren’t using force to get past the doorman.
“We’re journalists!” one growled. “You have to let us in.”
Since Mr. Hobart and Peter were busy trying to get the aggressive fellow to move further away from the front entrance, I told the journalists they were mistaken. “You do not have to be let in, and nor will you be if you disturb our guests.”
“Who’re you?” he asked.
“A representative of the Bainbridge family.”
“You’ll do. Answer this, Miss. What does Mr. Arkwright have to say about the brutal murder of his biographer?”
Oh, lord. Word had already got out that he was staying here. “I know nothing about that.”
“Louis Arkwright is living here now, isn’t he?”
“Please leave the premises immediately or the police will be summoned.”
“Does the biographer’s murder have anything to do with Blackheart’s missing treasure? Was he killed because he knew its location?”
“Or because he knew Arkwright made the whole thing up?” asked the other journalist.
I was determined not to say a word lest I give something away. “Leave,” I said again. “That is my final warning.”
One of the journalists snorted a laugh. The photographer rolled his eyes and muttered, “Women,” under his breath.
Off to my left, the other man continued to shout at Mr. Hobart, Frank and Peter, who were trying to send him on his way. He simply shouted over the top of them. “I have a right to speak to the man who stole my inheritance! Let me in, or you’ll get what’s coming to ya!”
Frank manhandled the man backward.
The man stumbled but quickly regained his footing. Baring his teeth, he swung his fist and punched Frank in the jaw.