Heirs of the Body(97)

“Edgar’s telephone bill is going to be enormous.”

“He can forward it to the county constabulary. That one was from the Yard. Tom and Ernie will be on the 8:10 express from Paddington tomorrow morning.”





TWENTY-NINE





Daisy half wakened when Alec came to bed. The luminous dial of the bedside clock said it was twenty to two. To her drowsy indignation, he set the alarm for half past five.

When it duly shrilled, she was reluctantly ready to get up. Alec told her to go back to sleep.

“I have to deal with the bobbies they’re sending from Worcester to search for the weapon used to attack Vincent. I don’t hold out much hope of finding it, nor of it telling me much if we do, but the effort must be seen to be made.”

“Good luck, darling. I hope you don’t get rained on.”

“It’s misty out. Not foggy enough to hinder the hunt. I expect it’ll be sunny later.”

“It’s a pity to waste this beautiful weather trying to catch a criminal. My apologies for my relatives’ shenanigans!”

After the disturbed night, Daisy couldn’t fall asleep again. She drowsed for a while, then got up early. She was the first down to breakfast, apart from Alec, who wasn’t there.

“Mr. Fletcher’s breakfasting in the study, madam,” Ernest told her. “There was five telegrams waiting for him when he come in from the garden!”

“Did they find … anything out there?”

“Not as I know of, madam. The bobbies, they’re to stay here, just sort of keeping an eye on things. They’re having a bite in the kitchen. Mr. Fletcher’s in his lordship’s study. He’s just called in that Smethwick, as was Mr. Raymond’s driver. Champing at the bit, he is, to get back to London.”

“Let me know as soon as Mr. Fletcher is alone, will you?” Daisy was itching to know what news the portentous five telegrams had brought.

Sam came down, looking worried. “Martha’s not feeling at all well.”

“Oh dear! She’s not having an easy pregnancy, is she? I sailed through mine after a bit of morning sickness at the beginning. My sister Violet is the one who always has a hard time.”

“She’s told me about … Lady John, is it? It sounds as if she’s been very kind.”

“They enjoy each other’s company. I’ll see if Vi can come up and sit with her for a while today. Is she coming down?”

“I gather she’s been breakfasting in bed. She’s thinking of staying in our room this morning, if that wouldn’t be rude. You’ll have to excuse me not knowing the proper thing. I’m not used to such exalted company.”

“Alec’s a copper. Lord Dalrymple was a schoolmaster. We’re not so very exalted. Though I should warn you about my mother, the dowager viscountess.”

“Martha said she’s very—” He grinned. “Well, that’s not to be repeated.” Sam rose as Geraldine and Edgar came in. Ignorance of etiquette didn’t preclude good manners. “Good morning.”

For the next few minutes, Lowecroft and Ernest were bustling about, in and out with fresh tea for Geraldine and freshly poached eggs for Edgar. Lowecroft, setting down a small, steaming teapot beside Geraldine, murmured something in her ear.

When he and the footman had both left the room, Geraldine said in tones of strong indignation, “Apparently Laurette told the maid who took their early tea that they’re not coming out of their room until Mr. Pearson arrives!”

“One can hardly blame them, my dear,” Edgar soothed her. “After all, Cousin Vincent has been attacked twice.”

“Twice!” Sam exclaimed.

“On Sunday,” Daisy told him. When Sam was supposedly in London. He had gone to the Hampstead house, he’d said, and spoken to Elsie. That couldn’t have taken long. After that, he claimed to have toured the sights of the city. Impossible to verify! A fast car—

“I’m not convinced the first occurrence wasn’t an accident,” said Geraldine, with a minatory look at her sheepish husband.

Ernest popped in again with more toast. On his way out, as he passed behind Daisy’s chair, he leant towards her. “The chief inspector is free,” he muttered from the side of his mouth, with such discretion she wouldn’t have understood if she hadn’t been expecting the message.

Daisy hastily finished her coffee. “Alec,” she explained apologetically to Geraldine. “I have to seize the moment.”

“I must say it’s comforting to have him in charge, Daisy. This … this whole business would be insupportable with a stranger!”