Chapter Three

 

The conversation was too coincidental. They had to be talking about the victim. Maisie called the police station, but George was out. She didn't want to leave a message. Making the decision to go to the boarding house was bold and brass. There was no doubt that Maisie was going to get into trouble. Either with Detective Blake or Miss Carnegie. Probably both of them would take issue.

Maisie left her work station and grabbing her coat and cloche left work. It wasn't too far, and she ran as fast as she could. Not quite sure why she needed to run, Maisie kept going. What a coup for George she thought? She could let him know the callers exchange. It was another clue.

It dawned on her that she still had no reason to be at the boarding house. She had the victim's name so she could pretend she was his sister or sweetheart. With her hand trembling, Maisie ran the doorbell. Back home, everyone knew everyone. Now for her first mystery in the city, she was going to come face to face with a possible suspect.

Mrs. Leech opened the door and eyed the young woman standing before. Maisie had to act fast before the woman closed the door on her.

"What do you want? This is no place for women."

"Um, um, I am looking for my uncle. He's about 6 feet tall with dark hair and slim build. I'm calling on different boarding houses to see if he lives here."

The woman folded her arms.

"What's your uncle's name?"

Maisie had to think fast. "I suspect he may be using different names. Are you missing any of her boarders?

"Why wouldn't you know your uncle's name? You're fishing for something."

Maisie had to think on her feet.

"You've seen through me, haven't you?"

The woman nodded.

"I'm Clara. He was my sweetheart and disappeared. I want to know why he did it." Maisie pulled her out her handkerchief for effect and dabbed her non-existent tears. She gave herself credit for not using her real name. Thank goodness Clara Bow had come to mind. The woman relaxed her arms.

"I thought so. A smartly dressed young lady like you. I guessed as much. Come in."

Mrs. Leech lead her through to the back of the house to her living quarters.

"The men move about so much. It surprises me that more women don't turn up, Clara. The man you describes sounds like John Smith. Has he left you in the…" Maisie watched as Mrs. Leech's eyes went to her tummy.

"Oh no. Nothing like that." Maisie said with a blush, embarrassed by the woman's question.

"Where did you say you were from?" Mrs. Leech asked as she disappeared into the small kitchen to make her some tea.

"Oh around. Where is Mr. Smith now?"

Maisie looked around the living area. Mrs. Leech's quarters were very refined and delicate. It reminded her of a dolls house. No man lived here, of that she was sure.

"I have no idea. He left a couple of days ago."

"He didn't leave any forwarding address. Did you know him well?"

"As well as I can know any of them. They pay their rent. Sometimes we talk. Some are down on their luck and have left families in other cities. John, I mean, Mr. Smith was a pleasant man."

What a slip, Maisie thought. There was a familiarity in calling him by his first name, and she knew he wasn't there anymore. Was Mrs. Leech the woman in the park?

"When did he move? Did he leave anything behind."

"As I said, he moved out a few days ago. No, he didn't leave anything behind. It's best that you forget about him. A pretty little thing like you doesn't need to worry about finding love. Mr. Smith was a charming man. He told you what you needed to hear," Mrs. Leech paused, before continuing, "it didn't mean anything to him. How could it?" Mrs. Leech stopped talking as she looked passed Maisie. There was a sadness in Mrs. Leech's eyes.

Maisie sipped her tea. Was Mrs. Leech remembering a past love?

"Is your husband at work, Mrs. Leech?"

"I'm a widow…"

The doorbell attracted Mrs. Leech's attention.

Maisie was picking at some cake when she heard a very familiar voice. She froze. George and Detective Blake were at the door of the boarding house! What was she going to do? She could hear the detective asking questions about the deceased man.

"You're the second person today asking about him. Has something happened?" To Maisie's mind, Mrs. Leech's voice cracked as she asked the question.

Patience was not her virtue. Maisie moved a little closer to the door to hear the conversation a little better. A man stormed down the stairs. She watched as the man pushed George back through the front door causing him to land on his back. The man threw white powder at poor George. Maisie ran towards him as she saw Detective Blake grab the assailant and shout at George. Poison had been used to murder the man in the Park and now poor George was covered in a white powder.

"Don't touch your face, Bantry. We don't know what's in the powder. Miss Mills, what are you doing here?" Detective Blake called out.

Maisie had to act fast. Poison. George would need medical attention immediately. She knew from her mystery novels not to touch George. And instead knelt beside him as he was still sitting on his backside. Did he think it was the same poison that killed the victim?

"Miss Mills, stand back! It's too dangerous." George cried out afraid to touch the powder that covered this face. He looked terrified to Maisie. She had to calm him down. As she inspected him, she noticed something.

"George, there are no burn marks. It would have reacted with your skin already. You know, I'm thinking it's only …"

Maisie knelt forward and wiped a piece of the white powder from George's face with her finger. George and Detective Blake gasped.

"No, stop it, Miss Mills," Detective Blake cried out as Maisie dabbed her finger to her tongue.

"It's okay. It's flour."

Maisie looked rather pleased with herself. Mrs. Leech was too shocked to speak. Satisfied his officer was in no harm, Detective Blake said,

"George, get yourself cleaned up. I'll take this one back to the station. Miss Mills, I'll thank you to stay out of business that does not concern you."

Detective Blake didn't even wait for her to answer. He turned and left.

"Come on, George, I'll help you, and you can tell me if that's our culprit."

"That was very brave of you, Maisie. I was scared but couldn't feel anything. I didn't know if it is was my imagination."

Maisie was wiping George's jacket when Mrs. Leech came to her senses.

"What is going on here?" She asked, not seeming to notice that George was in uniform.

"Mrs. Leech, we've arrested one of your boarders in relation to a murder of one of your other boarders. The man attacked me. I need to ask you some questions," George paused, flour covered him. "But could I get cleaned up first."

Mrs. Leech tutted but nodded her head for George to follow her.

"You know these policemen, Clara. Is John Smith dead?"

Maisie nodded. She felt bad for deceiving the woman. Mrs. Leech held her hands to her face and began to cry. Maisie who was close enough to see that Mrs. Leech wasn't quite as old as expected. Her complexion was fair and without any wrinkles. Her dark hair pulled back in a very severe way that didn't suit her. Maisie observed how hair around her face would be much more flattering.

Maisie, for once, didn't know what to do. George had wiped himself down. Maisie knew George had a job to do and she needed to get back to the telephone exchange in any case.

"Officer Bantry, I have information for you. Will you call by Mrs. Hopkins' place later?"

"I look forward to seeing you later, but I will have to ask you about your presence here today. I have no doubt that Detective Blake will be very interested in that."

George sighed. If his detective suspected he was divulging information to a civilian, there would be hell to pay. No matter how helpful she was.

As Maisie returned to work, she had to think of some excuse to ensure she wouldn't be fired. She decided to feign a headache. The suspects may call again, and she would need to be there so she could warn George. "See how that worked out today," she said rather pleased with herself. Their victim had a name.