Chapter 2
Two
I shared a look with my great-aunt.
It was not unusual for persons to come to Brodie and me with private requests that had, in fact, included murder in the past. I had requested his private inquiry services in the disappearance of my sister years before.
Yet, this did seem an unusual request, considering the standing of Lady Ellsworth, the connections she no doubt had.
And when we first heard of the murder, Brodie had commented that the MET would no doubt give it their full attention in consideration of Sir Robert Ellsworth’s acquaintance with several members of Parliament.
I was somewhat perplexed as to just how Brodie and I might be able to assist.
“Surely the MET will be able to solve the case,” I suggested.
I was also quite curious that the request came from her ladyship and not from Sir Thomas’s father.
That gaze turned glacial.
“The police claim they have exhausted all possible leads in the matter—a random robbery, they tell me, and the person responsible has simply vanished. You should know as well that I have consulted with another private inquiry agent in the matter, however, to no success.”
I inquired who that might be, as there were a number of inquiry agents about greater London. Some quite reputable, others...
“Mr. Holmes and his assistant, Dr. Watson.”
We had made the acquaintance of Mr. Holmes previously. He had an obvious respect for Brodie, however, a certain amount of reserve toward a ‘woman who dallied in private inquiry cases as a pastime,’ as he put it at the time.
Brodie had been amused. I was not, as that particular case was particularly difficult, and I sincerely doubted that Mr. Holmes would have prevailed, considering his penchant for disappearing from time to time in a somewhat addled condition.
As to the present, it did seem that the family and Lady Ellsworth in particular were not pleased with his participation.
“I am not certain how we might be able to further assist,” I replied. I could almost hear Brodie’s response.
He was not in the habit of following up on someone else’s attempt to solve a case—and that had included the previous case that involved my sister’s disappearance.
I reminded myself that may have had something to do with his particularly difficult relationship with then Chief Inspector Abberline. He had thwarted several of our inquiries, including Abberline’s determination to see Brodie imprisoned at the time over past issues between them.
A particularly vile person whom I had not forgiven and would just as soon see removed down a long dark road and never see again.
“Mikaela, dear...” Aunt Antonia interjected. “It couldn’t hurt to have a look at the details of the situation.”
It appeared that this particular request for our services was something she had highly encouraged.
As a child I had quickly discovered the extraordinary limits of her patience by the mere intonation of a particular word...or my name.
“Of course, there are certain aspects that we might inquire about,” I added. That glacial stare gradually defrosted. She reached into her reticule and retrieved a folded leather case. She opened it and handed it to me.
“My grandsons on the occasion of their respective graduations from university. Thomas is on the right.
They were indeed identical in appearance. I wouldn’t have been able to tell one from the other. I could only imagine the pranks they might have played on others.
“I will pay whatever you ask. In addition, I will see to it that you have all the information you need from the police.”
I could almost hear Brodie’s protest at taking on the case when the police were already involved, as our cases came through other connections. Such as His Highness and the Home Secretary.
I frowned as I thought of that meeting Brodie was to have with the Home Secretary. Not that I was upset that it had specifically not included myself.
“It is most important to learn who is responsible for Thomas’s death,” she continued. “There is a great deal at stake as far as the future of the family is concerned.”
I nodded. “Naturally, I will have questions that the police may have already asked, which could be difficult,” I explained. “Your grandson’s habits, known acquaintances, where he was living at the time.”
I paused, still I sensed the Viscountess would not be affronted at the next part.
“Any romantic attachments or liaisons,” I continued. “Also, anything you remember said about that night. A social engagement he attended, other plans he may have had for the evening afterward, and any details that you have learned since.”
She nodded. “His brother, Anthony, would be better able to provide some of that information. They are...” She corrected herself. “They were quite close, as one might expect.”
I did recall that well-known detail about the brothers who were twins.
Not something that occurred often. That must make Thomas Ellsworth’s death particularly difficult, I thought, as I had heard that twins often shared not only the same features, but the same demeanor, habits, and other characteristics.
How difficult it must also be now for Sir Anthony, the surviving twin brother.
“We would need to speak with your son as well for any information he might be able to provide.”
Very often other family members had additional information that could be helpful. It was not unusual for certain others—in this case Lady Ellsworth—to be less than informed about her grandson’s activities.
“Of course, but you must understand that their father, Sir Robert, will be less informed about such things as he has been somewhat distant with his own work from the time the boys were quite young. He was convinced that the twin births were responsible for his wife Anne’s death, and it was very difficult for him.
However, he has since taken Anthony into the business. ”
Difficult family relationships. I was not unfamiliar with such things. Nevertheless, navigating such would be necessary if we were to assist with the investigation into Sir Thomas’s murder.
“Have you made the Metropolitan Police aware that you are having private inquiries made?” I then asked.
“I have not as yet, since the situation did not warrant it when Mr. Holmes agreed to look into matter. However, I will do so this very day to facilitate your acquiring any information they have in the matter.”
A footman announced that her driver had arrived at the main entrance, and she stood to leave. My great-aunt and I stood as well.
“You will of course keep me informed regarding anything you learn,” Lady Ellsworth said in parting.
“Of course. However, you must understand that could take time. There are often pieces of information that mean nothing initially, and then provide a valuable clue later,” I explained.
“It is the nature of the inquiry business, much like a puzzle with many pieces that must be put together.”
She nodded. “Do not disappoint me, Lady Forsythe.”
“She can be somewhat challenging,” Aunt Antonia commented after she left. “She is quite used to having complete control over situations. I had sent a note of condolence. She was quite undone.”
I did not argue the matter. “It must have been very difficult.”
Then she asked, “You will make inquiries on her behalf?”
“Of course. We are acquainted with individuals who may be able to assist as well.” I thought of Brodie’s association now with the Home Secretary.
Such a dreadful business, murder, I thought. And for what?
Robbery, according to the Daily articles at the time, and then murder in the process. And now a family, obviously bereft.
Brodie had warned there was a dark side to the inquiry business. Many cases might be easily solved, and a piece of jewelry or some other valued piece returned to the rightful owner.
Then there were the other cases where the cost was beyond a ring or bracelet and measured in human loss.
A child abandoned to starve on the streets, killed over a crust of bread, a prostitute murdered in a fit of passion, a street-vendor brutally assaulted and left for dead over a handful of coins that might have fed his family.
And now the gruesome murder of a young man with his entire life before him.
During brunch with my great-aunt, I informed her about the progress on the construction of the townhouse at Mayfair which she was most curious about.
“There are furnishings here you might use,” she suggested. “They’re simply collecting dust and you are more than welcome to them.”
I could imagine Brodie’s eyes rolling back in his head at the suggestion, though he would never say anything that might hurt her feelings. The furnishings she suggested were in the old part of what was once the King’s fortress at Sussex Square.
They included a throne chair, banquet table, a musty, rotting old bed with hangings all about. Not to mention a scaffolding or block for the occasional execution of an enemy before the White Tower was built and became the official residence of other monarchs for a few hundred years since.
I had seen paintings of the Tower at Sussex Square, along with portraits of monarchs who had resided there.
I was grateful for her offer of the furnishings, yet could hardly see the throne chair sitting in the front parlor of our residence once construction was completed. Although it would have made for interesting conversations.
After luncheon I accepted Aunt Antonia’s offer of her coach and driver for the ride to the office on the Strand.
There were always details to be learned when embarking on a new inquiry case. First on the list would be to contact Inspector Dooley at the Yard to see the police report that was taken the night of the attack, along with notes from the investigation.
He had served with Brodie during his time at the MET and had provided information on past inquiry cases, and was a trusted friend as well.