Chapter 2 #2
“Sir Laughton informed me of the reason for yer visit. I believe yer friend was helping ye in the matter. But surely now ye do not wish to continue.”
“To the contrary,” I replied. It was necessary to set that aside for now. “I will be remaining in Edinburgh until the person responsible for her murder is found.”
“A difficult task. You must surely know things of this nature often take some time, if it is ever discovered who is responsible...”
“I mean no disrespect,” I replied. “But I will see it done. I owe my friend that much.”
That sharp gaze watched me. “I was told that you have a formidable nature. But to pursue this with no experience...”
I had no way of knowing what Sir Laughton might have shared with him. That before I became the ward of Lady Mikaela Forsythe, I had worked at The Church as a maid. That my future might very well have been no different than Dory’s, had it not been for the chance meeting with Mikaela?
Through the night before, unable to sleep, I had thought about this considerably.
“I do not wish to be difficult or ungrateful,” I replied. “But I will not be persuaded against this.”
He continued to watch me with a thoughtful expression.
“Verra well,” he finally replied, as he seemed to have made a decision. “How may I assist you in this, though I will caution you it could be a verra dangerous enterprise.”
I had thought this part through carefully as well.
“I have been told that her body was to be removed to the police morgue. I would like to see it for any clue that might remain. And I want to visit her room for the same reason.”
“It’s my understanding that the police searched the room last night and have completed their findings,” he replied.
“I understand—however, I have learned that there are often little things that go unnoticed beyond the search for a weapon or something of value that is missing.”
Dory had nothing of value that I was aware of. Every farthing, every penny would have gone for food or rent.
“There might be something that only I would recognize,” I offered for argument.
That curious gaze narrowed. “I understand, Miss Montgomery.”
He was thoughtful once more, then reached for notepaper and pen.
“This will provide you with the ability to do as you’ve requested,” he explained, as he scratched a note across the paper.
“I will also place a telephone call to Inspector Landry explaining it all.”
He signed the note and set the pen aside. He held the note out to me, the embossed image gleaming in the overhead light. Yet he did not immediately release it when I reached for it.
“You will take every precaution in this, Miss Montgomery.” It was not a request. “I am relying on Sir Laughton’s insistence that you are an intelligent young woman. However, you are still a young woman, and there are places where it is not be safe to proceed.
“You are to rely on Inspector Landry’s judgment in this. I do not wish to explain to Sir Laughton or other persons that you have come to some harm.”
It was quite clear whom he meant as ‘other persons’—Lady Antonia Mongomery and Mikaela Forsythe.
“Do I make myself clear, Miss Montgomery?” he added, not unkindly.
I assured him that I understood. He slowly released the note.
“Now what of accommodations while you are here?”
I explained that Inspector Landry had arranged for me to stay with Mrs. Cheney, and that she had assured me that I might remain as long as needed.
Sir Alastair nodded. “Ah, yes. She is a good person whom I know personally. And what of funds that you might need during your stay?”
“I have arranged for funds to be available through the Bank of Scotland.”
He shook his head, though the smile was still here.
“Sir Laughton did say that you were remarkably capable as well as persistent.” He was thoughtful.
“You will let me know what you learn at end of day. I think you will find that the poor woman simply met with misfortune, as so many unfortunately do.”
I thanked him again, then collected my bag and turned to leave.
“If you should need anything while you are in Edinburgh, you have only to let my assistant, Mr. Sinclair, know.”
I was grateful for his assistance as I tucked the note he’d written for Detective Inspector Landry into my bag.
I was able to find a driver at George Street and asked that he take me to the police station.
It was very near noon according to the clock in the tower at St. Giles Cathedral when I arrived at the station on the High Street.
“Are ye certain this be the place, miss?” the driver inquired with a doubtful expression.
I assured him that it was, paid the fare, then entered the police station where I had been ‘detained’ the previous evening.
There was a different constable minding the front desk. I gave my name and asked to speak with Inspector Landry. I waited in a small office somewhat different than the one I had occupied the previous evening. There were no bars on the window, should I attempt to escape!
I stood as Inspector Landry arrived.
“I trust you passed the night well enough,” he said in greeting.
I assured him that I had. “Mrs. Cheney has been very kind.”
I then explained that I had met with Sir McQuarrie and would be staying in Edinburgh.
“I had a telephone call from him a short while ago. I’m aware of yer request. I understand yer determination to find the ones responsible, Miss Montgomery. That is most unusual.”
“Unusual in that most people have no interest in a murdered prostitute?” I suggested, then quickly apologized. “You have been most considerate. I did not mean to be ungrateful.”
“I understand that this has been difficult for ye. Sir McQuarrie spoke of yer wishes in the matter.” He laid a file on the desktop with letters on the tab.
“The body is to be brought to the morgue today. The police surgeon will make his examination to determine the cause of death. I would caution ye that it can be hard to see someone in such circumstances...particularly a friend.”
“I appreciate the information.” I then explained that I wanted to see Dory’s room in Fleshmarket Close.
He glanced at the note I handed him. “I can arrange for one of the constables to accompany ye, although I dinna know wot ye might be able to learn.”
I did not need someone to accompany me, yet it did seem that I had no choice in the matter.
I waited until an older man in constable’s uniform arrived and Inspector Landry introduced me to him.
“Mr. MacKenzie. He knows that part of the Old Town well.”
He was a tall, burly fellow with a ready smile.
“If ye please, Miss Montgomery. I will have a coach brought round, with no objection from himself,” he indicated Inspector Landry.
“No objection, and ye are to provide whatever assistance Miss Montgomery might need.”
Mr. MacKenzie grinned. “Aye, sir.” He then went to arrange for a coach.
“He was with the Army for twenty years, which accounts for the salute and his manner otherwise. Now ten years on with the police. He’s a good man.”
Sergeant MacKenzie quickly returned. “Yer carriage awaits, Miss Montgomery,” he announced. “And ye must call me Mac. Only me mother ever called me by my full given name, bless her soul. And that was usually for some misdeed on my part.
“She was of the old faith, ye see. Went to church twice every day and said her Hail Marys for me misguided ways,” he explained, as we left the police station.
“Not that I was a bad sort. Just a wee bit stubborn and got meself into a bit of a stramash every once in the while.
“Ah, here we are, miss. Yer driver for today is Constable O’Neal. A capable fellow with a team as ye can see, but not nearly as fine-looking in the uniform as meself. Now, up ye go.” He gave me a hand up into the coach, then followed.