Chapter 4
Four
Brodie left early in the morning with a brief comment that I didn’t need to have Mrs. Ryan hold supper for him that night. A less-than-subtle reminder that I should not stay over at the office. Nor would he be joining me.
I was willing to accept the comment, even if I did not specifically agree to it. I wiggled my toes with a smile as I dressed for my meeting with Inspector Dooley at the Yard.
The inspector greeted me warmly as I arrived at the Yard.
“I’ve arranged for a private office to prevent anyone prying in the matter,” he explained as he escorted me into another part of the Yard, a temporary location at the Tower of London with its different buildings, enormous central courtyard and the underground dungeons that had once served as the offices of Sir Avery Stanton.
The private office was not far, in a part of this section of the Tower that had been specifically restored for the use of Scotland Yard.
The room was stark with a metal desk and two chairs. A folder lay on the desktop.
“A new inquiry case?” he inquired.
“Merely concerns of the family that there has been no arrest or resolution all these months since.”
He nodded. “I well understand, but I will not have the men here criticized. They have done more than their share in trying to find the person who made the attack. But there has been little information to go on.” He gestured to the folder.
“You’ll see there the contacts that have been made. But it’s difficult with few investigators and more crime every day, as you know well, Lady Forsythe.”
I was well aware from past experience.
“I would like to see Mr. Brodie returned to the Yard, along with others. Good men, all. But we’re told there is no money for more assistance.” He shook his head.
“I might consider me own retirement at that, but we still have a young one at home.”
He then left me to examine the initial report as well as case notes on the investigation.
I did understand. In the past he had expressed his frustration with the backlog of cases. There were simply not enough hours or men to investigate crimes that were committed. Brodie had spoken of it as well.
The case report noted that there were no witnesses the night of the attack. Viscount Thomas Ellsworth had left the office late where he was taking the law. He shared a townhouse at St. James’s with his brother, Viscount Anthony Ellsworth.
The only staff included the housekeeper and footman. The housekeeper had left early in the evening and was not present when Sir Anthony returned. It was the footman’s usual day away.
According to the statement he provided, Sir Anthony had not returned until late after an evening of billiards and other adventures with friends at Brooke’s near St. James’s, his private club.
His evenings were often spent at the club, while Sir Thomas preferred more reserved pursuits, often reading late into the night or taking a quiet supper with one of his friends from university. I made a note that, for all they were twins, they appeared to be somewhat different in their habits.
In his initial statement to the police, it was noted that Sir Anthony wasn’t in the habit of looking in on his brother when he arrived at the townhouse, but went straight to his own bedchamber.
It was the following morning when the footman returned and went to inquire if Sir Thomas would need a coach for his usual ride to Parliament Square, where he worked as an associate, that it was discovered he was absent.
Their father, recently returned from foreign travels, was notified that same morning when it was discovered that his room was unoccupied and his bed had not been slept in the night before.
To all outward appearances, there was no woman Sir Thomas favored where he might have stayed the night.
The young viscount’s closest friend from university, whom he had dined with that last evening, was contacted. He stated they had dined early as they both had work the following day.
Neither had a lot to drink. It was an evening spent consoling each other over their work in respective law offices. They departed Rules Restaurant just after nine o’clock that evening in separate coaches. It was the last time he saw Sir Thomas.
It was just after midnight the same night that a call went out from the watch near Tower Gate about a body discovered in the river.
Additional police were sent to the location. In spite of severe injuries, the body was identified as that of Sir Thomas Ellsworth, who had been reported missing.
The conclusion of the report was that he had met dreadful misfortune some time after leaving supper with his friend at Rules.
The pockets of his coat and trousers had been turned out, and with the numerous injuries, the conclusion was that he had been robbed and then killed, perhaps in a struggle during the crime.
I sat back on the chair in that small office at the Yard. It was not the first time I had worked on a case where a body was discovered in the river. The first time had been during the disappearance of my sister when her maid, Mary Ryan, was found murdered and then left in the river.
Bodies were frequently found there, either through some accident at the docks or some misfortune, as the report stated. And very often the one responsible was never found.
I had made notes in my notebook as I read through the initial report and the additional one on the investigation afterward.
That last entry was two weeks earlier. It did seem as if the police had come to the conclusion that was written in the final report—that Sir Thomas had died through some misfortune that was not uncommon on the streets of London.
“I’m aware Lady Ellsworth has been most insistent about continuing the investigation,” Inspector Dooley commented when he returned and saw the closed folder on the desk.
“We have followed every possible piece of information as far as we are able. But with no witnesses and short of men to put to the task...”
“You suggested that she contact us?” I realized.
“She was familiar with yer work, and through her acquaintance with Lady Montgomery, she seemed most amenable. The lady can be quite formidable, and she wanted someone as determined to find the truth about what happened.”
I gathered my notebook and pen, then stood to leave.
“I do have some questions,” I commented.
“On yer own then, is it? With this new position for himself?”
“For now,” I replied. “Until he decides if he will take the position permanently.”
“It’s been my experience that when such is offered, it’s difficult to turn away the compensation as well as the new responsibility. What little he discussed with me, he’s just the man for it. That would mean a change for you as well, Lady Forsythe.”
Yes, change. Still, for now, I did have information I wanted to follow to see if there was anything new I might be able to learn in the Ellsworth murder. Beyond that...
“I will continue to follow up on anything we learn. Do be certain to call on me if there’s a need,” Inspector Dooley said in parting.
I went to our present residence for a change of clothes. It was well past noon when I returned to the office. Brodie had not returned.
“Is there anything I can help with, miss?” Mr. Cavendish inquired as I arrived.
He was familiar with the docks from his experience as a member of the crews that worked the merchantmen. As well as ‘friends’ from those adventures that he met with from time-to-time at one of the dockside taverns.
“It would be helpful to know if anyone saw anything unusual the night of the murder, even though it was some time ago. Specifically at Tower Dock.” I provided him the date and details that I had learned.
“The gentleman would have been dressed in evening clothes. The body was found just after midnight.”
He nodded.
“And do be careful. It appears that it was for the purpose of robbery. If it was someone who frequented the tavern...” I warned.
He grinned and reminded me, “Not me first murder, miss. Working for yourselves these past years.” He winked. “Nor me first tavern.”
“All well and good, Mr. Cavendish. However, I’ve no desire to have to explain to Miss Effie that you’ve been injured.”
He patted the front of his coat to indicate the weapon he carried hidden there.
“I can take care of meself as long as there’s no more than three of ’em. If there are four, that’s when I might need assistance from the hound.”
We agreed he would take Rupert with him.
“And for yerself?” he inquired.
I was not accustomed to answering to anyone about such things. Except, perhaps, for Brodie. It seemed that he might have put the word on Mr. Cavendish.
“Following instructions, are you?” I replied.
He shrugged. “He did say as how it would be good to know what ye are about and the appointments ye have. If ye should need assistance.”
Of course.
“I will be up at the office for a while.” I already had thoughts regarding those who might be able to provide additional information after seeing the police report.
Over the next two hours, I added the notes I’d made earlier that morning to the chalkboard, then stood back to read the list.
More than once after Brodie and I began our partnership, he had compared an inquiry case to a ball of yarn. He explained that in his experience, in most cases, there was usually some small piece of information that led to another and then another, and the ‘ball of yarn’ began to unwind.
No case was ever impossible to unravel. The pieces were all there, it was simply a matter of finding that first piece.
What was the first piece that might be useful now?
One of the pieces of information from the police report was that Sir Thomas worked in an office where he read the law.
There had been no information to indicate that they had contacted and questioned his employer about the circumstances of that last night.
Still, there was someone who might be of assistance, and that did seem the place to make my own inquiries.