THE NEXT MORNING, I WENT TO KLEINMAN AND COMPANY early, fully prepared to question everyone I could about Miss Crawford. I had the perfect excuse since I had been with Miss Peters when we found her missing. At least that was what I intended until I got to the shop and found the back door already unlocked and the lights on inside. News of Miss Crawford’s abduction had clearly already reached the staff, and it seemed everyone had come in early to fret together. Only they were all gathered outside of the hallway to the vault again. Miss Kleinman saw me come around the corner.
“Miss Pengear, there’s been another robbery.”
I froze. “You’re certain?” What a stupid thing to say I thought as soon as the words were out of my mouth.
“I’m afraid so. Daniel is telephoning the police. And Mr. Tolland, I hope. I don’t want to have to talk to him about another robbery.”
“Do you know what’s been taken?”
She shook her head. “We’re waiting for the police to look around. I hope there’s nothing wrong with the lock. It seemed so secure when it was explained to us, I don’t see how... But then, what else could it be?”
“Kate Ferris was coming today,” I said out of the blue. Miss Crawford’s kidnapping had pushed it completely out of my mind, but the talk of locks reminded me. And Miss Crawford...
Did Miss Kleinman know? Would Inspector Wainwright have told them? Would he want me to? I’d assumed that was why they were here, but I couldn’t let them find out from him, not even if one of them was guilty.
Miss Kleinman interrupted my thoughts. “You’d better go into the office and telephone her. There won’t be any testing the lock today. If my brother’s still using the phone, tell him you need to slip in for a moment.”
I nodded. She seemed so exhausted, I was tempted to sneak away and leave the news of Miss Crawford to Inspector Wainwright, but that didn’t seem quite fair. Unless... “Is Miss Peters here already?”
“Yes, that’s right, she said you were with her last night.”
“So she told everyone?”
“Yes, in fact she was on the telephone quite late last night if the call I received was anything to go by.”
I wasn’t certain whether to be glad that I didn’t have to break the news, glad that Inspector Wainwright couldn’t possibly blame me for it, or disappointed that I didn’t get to see the reactions. “I’ll go make the call to Miss Ferris.”
No one answered the telephone at Kate’s flat, which didn’t surprise me. As often as not she had the telephone disassembled, trying to improve it. I left the phone to Mr. Kleinman and went back into the hallway. I didn’t see Miss Kleinman by the vault, so I poked my head into her office. “She didn’t answer, so I’m going to nip down to the aviary and send her a note.”
Miss Kleinman stood up. “Of course. You can use my desk to write it if you like.”
I sat in the chair she'd vacated for me and grabbed a silver and red pen from the holder, which promptly leaked all over the page.
“That one doesn't work. Try the one in the drawer.”
I wasn't sure I liked Miss Kleinman watching me as I wrote even if it was at her desk, but I found a new pen in the top drawer and scribbled a quick note to Kate and cut the paper as small as possible. After a moment’s thought, I scribbled a second note, this one to a girl named Milly who I knew worked in a pub called the Fox’s Den. It was rather a long shot that it would be the same Fox's Den Charlie Donovan had been at, but if it was, she was someone who might help, and with two robberies and a kidnapping, we needed to know if he had an alibi.
I gathered up both notes and left the desk to Miss Kleinman. “Do you need anything while I’m out?”
Miss Kleinman rubbed at her neck as she sat down. “There’s a bakery between here and the aviary. I’ll give you some of the shop’s pin money. If you’d get something sweet to―to―”
“Ease the pain of seeing Inspector Wainwright again? Certainly.”
That got a twitch of a smile out of Miss Kleinman. “That wasn’t quite what I was going to say, but close enough.” She took a key from her chatelaine and opened the middle drawer of the desk. I could hear the scrape of another key opening the cashbox and the rattling of coins. “This should do. Bring enough for the police, I suppose.”
I took the coins she held out. “Anything else?”
Miss Kleinman bit the edge of her lip. “Miss Peters said you went with her to check on Miss Crawford.”
“That’s right.”
“Do you think she’s all right?”
I considered my answer carefully. Miss Kleinman was the sort who would see through any attempts to be overly optimistic. “I looked through her rooms while Miss Peters went for a constable, to see if she was there. I didn't see any blood, certainly not in any quantity to show she’d been hurt there.” I didn’t mention that I wasn’t sure she’d been taken from her flat.
“So there’s hope, then?”
“Definitely.” I slipped the coins into my handbag. “Just because Inspector Wainwright and I got off on the wrong foot when we first met and have gone steadily downhill from there doesn’t mean he’s not a good detective. He’s very thorough. If there’s something to find, he’ll find it.”
“In time?”
I did my best to smile. “We can hope so.”
~ * ~ * ~
I remembered I'd seen a combination aviary/telegraph office at the end of the street. I went there first so my note would catch Kate before she left. I glanced at the price chart as I waited in line and decided on mechanical bird for both messages. If asked, I would have insisted it was because it was slightly cheaper, although the real reason was that I liked to look at them. Most aviaries tried to make their birds look as real as possible just to encourage the susceptible to use them. I’d always assumed it meant they were much cheaper for the company since no one needed to leave the shop on either end as one did with delivering a telegram, but I’m afraid I still fell for it far more than I’d like to admit.
This shop had small brass birds meant to look like sparrows with blue paste jewel eyes and different colored dots and bands on their wings to identify which of the company’s stations they were programmed to fly to.
When it was my turn at the window, I was greeted by a young clerk who didn’t bother to look up from his receipt book as he said, “Good day. Bird or telegram?”
“Bird, please.”
“Message cannot exceed the size indicated.” He pointed to the size chart affixed to the desk, or rather he meant to; without looking up, he only managed to point to the bit of chain that had once attached a pen to the desk. I pulled out my notes and fitted the one to Kate into the box.
“Write the address here.” He slid a form over and pointed to a box marked “price.” I assumed he meant for me to write it on the line labeled “address” and proceeded to fill it out then slid it back across.
The clerk glanced down at the address I'd written out and said in a drone that told me just how many thousands of times he'd said the same thing, “That's a two-bird delivery, one to get it to the Charles Street aviary and one from aviary to final destination. Is this acceptable?"
"Yes, it is."
He opened what looked like a giant birdcage behind him and sorted through until he found a brass bird with a red spot on its wing. He opened the panel on the bird's chest and held it out to me. I folded the note and slipped it inside. “I need to send a second note as well. And I’d like to cover a return on both."
He put the bird on the counter and handed me a second form. I filled it out and handed it back.
“Also a two-bird delivery, one to send it to..."
"I understand, that's fine."
He shrugged and went back to the cage, returning with a bird that had a bottle-green spot. Once the second note was secured inside, the clerk took my money and wrote out a receipt, then led me over to the window so I could see that the birds had been properly wound and released. I tucked the receipt into my handbag and went in search of the bakery.
~ * ~ * ~
When I returned to Kleinman and Co. with a large bag of scones and a selection of pastries, Constable Edwards was standing at the entrance to the alley. He smiled at me as I passed, so I offered him one of the scones, which were still warm. “Any news?”
He accepted the scone and shook his head. “We haven’t been here ten minutes yet. Inspector Wainwright is not pleased. Did they implement his security suggestions?”
“I would assume so. What about the kidnapping?”
“That’s why he’s in such a bad mood. Nothing in the room to help. None of the neighbors heard anything. He’s going to question them here today.”
“But of course I didn’t hear any of that. I’ll have someone bring you some tea.”
“Thanks, Miss Pengear.”
I dropped the scones and pastries off in the lounge and, after making certain they all knew they were from Miss Kleinman not me, I went to find her, ostensibly to tell her I’d completed my mission, really because I was certain Inspector Wainwright would be with her.
I found them in the hallway coming from Miss Kleinman’s office.
“I assure you, madam, everything will be tested, and we will find your thief. Although I might suggest adding a night watchman to your shop. That might scare away intruders, if they know he’s there.” He turned into the small foyer outside of the vault.
Miss Kleinman followed him through to the vault. “That’s all well and good, Inspector, but what have you been doing to find Miss Crawford?”
“Madam, I assure you we are doing everything we can to solve both cases, if they are indeed connected.”
“I don’t care if they’re connected or not. I want to know what you are doing to find my employee. You don’t seem to be questioning anyone here. Does that mean you already know the circumstances surrounding her disappearance?”
“No, it means I received the case yesterday evening and have not had time to question everyone involved. I assure you, everything that can be done will be done.”
Miss Kleinman looked ready to argue further, but I didn’t think that was prudent. Inspector Wainwright was likely to decide any idea she had was a bad one if pushed too far. It seemed like a good time to interrupt. “I came to see if either of you would like some scones.”
Inspector Wainwright glared at me, or I assumed it was directed at me since he didn’t look up from the floor.
“Scones would be lovely,” Miss Kleinman said. “And I’d better tell the staff they can expect another round of interviews.” She left the vault. I followed her to the lounge.
Miss Henderson looked up as we came in. “Is it the same inspector?”
“It is.”
There was a collective groan.
Miss Kleinman pretended she hadn’t heard. “I am told he is very good at what he does. He will be questioning everyone again. Has someone put a sign up letting any customers know we’re closed?”
“I did,” Miss Peters said.
“Very good. Then please enjoy the scones. I will send word to anyone who had an appointment for today that we will need to re-schedule. Please give the inspector whatever help he needs, and come to me if there are any―difficulties.” From the way she said it, I knew she meant difficulties with Inspector Wainwright.
As soon as she was gone, everyone crowded back around the teapot. “This can’t be good,” Mr. Garver whispered. “I know there was already trouble with the insurance.”
“But the new company said it would cover the losses,” Mr. Morris said as he filled his cup and then Miss Eaton’s.
Mr. Garver took the teapot from him. “If they have the paperwork finished. They did on the last batch, but I doubt we’ll be that lucky twice.”
“And then there’s Emma,” Miss Peters said.
Everyone was quiet for a moment.
“I’m sure she’ll be fine,” Miss Eaton said.
“Of course,” Mr. Morris said with less conviction.
I could see Miss Peters didn’t want to talk about it, so I tried to change the subject. “I said I’d send some tea to the constable outside.”
“I’ll take it,” Miss Peters offered.
“Thanks. And I suppose I should bring something to Inspector Wainwright.”
“I don’t know that that’s necessary,” Miss Eaton said.
I shrugged. “Keep on his good side.” Especially since I had figured out what had bothered me about Miss Crawford’s flat.
“Does he have one?” Mr. Garver asked.
“I haven’t found it yet. Nonetheless.” I fixed a cup and put a scone and some butter on a plate, and brought it out to the vault.
Inspector Wainwright was standing by the door, surveying the entire room at once. “Find anything?”
“A great deal,” he said flatly.
I knew better than to ask what. “I brought you something to eat.” I held out the tea and scone. He didn't take it. Now how to phrase the next bit so he would hear me? “Was I right in thinking that the mess in Miss Crawford's room was a distraction and not really someone looking for something?” I knew perfectly well that it was an excellent theory, but saying that would just make him push against me if he hadn't noticed it.
"You mean because the pillows weren't slashed and the curios weren't broken, and the food wasn’t spilled over the floor in case something was hidden inside the packet? Yes, I did notice that."
Well, at least he'd heard me. “I'll leave the tea out here. There’s a table by the door.” I put the plate and cup on the table and went back to the lounge.
~ * ~ * ~
At noon, Miss Kleinman came in to say that Inspector Wainwright had told us we could go to lunch and to return in half an hour. I had several offers to join groups at various places, but I wanted to be alone to think, so I used the excuse of errands to run to beg off. I started by going back to the aviary and found that Milly had sent a reply telling me to meet her outside the Fox’s Den at six. With that taken care of, I wandered down the street and ended up at the bakery, where I ordered three kinds of pastry and a flask of tea. I brought this very healthful lunch to the small park across the street and found a quiet spot to eat on my own.
I returned to the shop at 12:30 as instructed. Constable Edwards was still guarding the alley, but it looked like someone had brought him a paper of fish and chips. When I went inside, the shop seemed very quiet. I went to see if anyone was in the offices, but when I passed Mr. Kleinman’s door, I heard voices trying not to be heard, so naturally I stopped to listen.
“Daniel, I think the argument ends here, and in my favor.”
“You’re right, you’re right. I’ll telephone Mr. Tolland and have him bring the forms to insure the Heart of Night in the morning.”
So she’d worn him down at last. I hurried to the lounge before they could leave and find me spying.
The lounge was empty except for Miss Henderson making tea. “That smells good.”
“Would you like a cup? There’s plenty. Apparently we’re the only ones who thought half-hour meant be back by 12:30.”
“Thanks.” I took one of the plain white cups from the cupboard and brought it over to the kettle.
Miss Henderson poured out the tea. “I can’t remember the last time I drank so much tea.”
The last time I had, there had been a murder, but I didn’t think that was the most comforting thing to say at the moment. “It does give you something to do with your hands, though. Shocking about Miss Crawford.”
“And so unfortunate. I heard you were with Miss Peters when she reported it?”
She seemed the sort to like a good gossip so I put on my best breathless voice. “That’s right. She asked me to go with her to check on Miss Crawford since she hadn’t come to work, but we never thought... And of course I had met her my first day here.” I shook my head as if it were too much. “But when did you last see her?”
“It must have been the night she disappeared. Miss Eaton, Miss Crawford, and I went to a pub for a bite to eat before we went home. It was someplace we'd never been to before. The White Oak. It seemed safe enough. I hope that wasn’t where it happened. I’d feel so guilty.”
When she didn’t continue, I leaned in. “Surely there’s no reason for you to feel guilty. Going to a pub is a perfectly normal thing to do.”
“But I went home early. My neighbor’s aunt was coming to stay with her, and I said I’d be there to let her in. My neighbor works at a theater, you see. Selling tickets. So she gets home very late. But if we’d left together, maybe I would have seen something, or she would have left later or earlier or... Oh, Miss Eaton, Miss Pengear and I were just discussing Miss Crawford. Do you realize we might be the last people to have seen her before she disappeared?”
“Surely someone at her building would have seen her. I’m sure the police will ask around.”
I turned my attention to my new witness. “Did you leave with her from the pub?”
“Yes, we did leave at the same time, but we live in different parts of town, so we split up near the Underground entrance. But she seemed herself. Not nervous. Not intoxicated. I didn’t see any reason why she would disappear like that. Not from our dinner.”
“Then I wonder how it happened,” Miss Henderson said. “Do you suppose it’s connected to the robbery?”
“I wouldn’t think so,” Miss Eaton answered.
“Then why is the same policeman investigating it?”
Miss Eaton seemed to be at a loss to explain that.
Miss Henderson turned to me. “Do you think we’re in danger? I mean, if it is connected.”
“I’m sure we’re all safe,” I said with more certainty than I felt. When Miss Henderson didn’t look convinced, I added, “Inspector Wainwright is doing everything he can.” When that didn’t seem to be enough, I added, “And just this morning I saw Miss Kleinman hounding him to solve it.” That seemed to do something. At least Miss Henderson seemed to remember she was holding a cup of tea.
Miss Eaton put down her cup. “You see, Clara, everything’s fine as long we don’t lose our heads. Or our jobs.” She wandered back towards the selling floor.
Miss Henderson turned to me. “You’re going to look into it too, right? I heard you’ve solved cases for the Yard before.”
“Where did you hear that?” I asked, hoping to avoid getting dragged in.
“Some of the constables were talking to each other. You have quite the reputation. I’m sure you can figure it out before they come for the rest of us.”
I was going to tell her I had no intention of interfering in Inspector Wainwright’s investigation, when I realized how ridiculous that was. Hadn’t I just started interviewing the people who had seen Miss Crawford last? Besides, Miss Henderson was already turning her attention back to her tea. I picked up my cup and went in search of someone else to interview, preferably far away from Inspector Wainwright.
But the first person I ran into was Inspector Wainwright coming from the vault room. He looked around then nodded towards the office. “I suppose you’re my next witness.”
“I’m flattered.”
“Don’t be, there doesn’t seem to be anyone else around for me to question.”
I followed him into the office and sat down across from the desk.
“According to Miss Kleinman, you were one of the last people to arrive this morning?”
“Yes, everyone else was early. Apparently, Miss Peters telephoned everyone last night after she returned home from Miss Crawford’s flat.”
“Unfortunately. So you did not see the crime scene?”
“Just a glance through the door. Miss Ferris was coming today to take a look at the lock, so I had to let her know not to bother.” No reason to tell him about Milly. “And I picked up the scones on the way back. Miss Kleinman’s idea.” I glanced around the room but didn't see the plate or cup I'd brought him.
Inspector Wainwright looked down at his notes. I could see the report I had typed up for him sitting on top. “Miss Pengear, who have you told about this job?”
“Inspector Wainwright, you should know me well enough by now to know that I am not an idiot.”
His eyebrow went up.
I glared at him. “Mrs. Albright knows I’m here. That’s it.”
“And who has she told?”
“No one as far as I know, but you’d have to ask her yourself.” I kept glaring at him. I knew he wouldn’t talk to my landlady if he could avoid it; they liked each other even less than we did.
He sighed. “Tell me exactly what you saw when you went to Miss Crawford’s flat. You said Miss Peters asked you to go with her?”
“That’s right, since I live in the general area and she was worried.” I launched into the most detailed account of events I could manage.