WHEN TYLER CAME DOWN TO THE COURTYARD, HE found Eagleton already sitting in the Humber waiting for him.
Tyler slid into the driver’s seat. “Any luck?”
“I think we can eliminate Mr. Newstead. He’s got bad lumbago and has been in bed for four days. He said he was being treated by Dr. McHamer from Wem.”
“Let’s confirm that. I don’t want to take anything for granted. Maybe Newstead is the fifth columnist. He could be feigning lumbago.”
“Really, sir?” said Eagleton doubtfully. “He’s a good actor if that’s the case.”
“Precisely. Always temper your investigations with common sense. What about Trimble?”
“He wasn’t in his cottage nor on the estate. I took the liberty of seeking out Lady Somerville in case she had any information.”
Tyler whistled through his teeth. “Did you indeed? What did she say?”
“She was very accommodating, actually, sir. She said that Mr. Trimble had told her he was going in search of pullets so they could build up the hen flock.” He looked sideways at Tyler. “She’s very knowledgeable about breeds of poultry, leghorns and such.”
“I’m sure she is, Eager, and I’m sure she thought you were a very nice lad. Did she say when Trimble was expected back?”
“No, sir. She didn’t know.”
Tyler sighed. “I hope the bastard hasn’t done a runner.”
“Is he our prime suspect, sir?”
“Let’s just say he is a person of interest. Great interest. We’ve got motivation and opportunity for Elsie’s murder. As for Rose Watkins, if the bugger turns out to be fifth columnist, it would put him sending out his messages right where and when Rose was cutting through the woods to go to Mass at the camp.”
“You don’t think the two of them had an assignation, do you, sir?”
“No, I don’t, but as the head doctor said, we’ve got to keep an open mind at all times.”
“Yes, sir.”
“You know what the problem with that is, Eager?”
“No, sir.”
“The bad guys can slip through the net, easy as pie.”
“We need to find Trimble soon, don’t we?”
“On the nail, lad. I want you to go back to his cottage. Leave a note where he can’t miss it. Tell him he must report to the station immediately. Now that you’ve got cosy with her ladyship, go back to her and tell her we want to talk to Trimble at once.” He opened the car door. “While you’re doing that, I’m going to see how the girls are. I won’t be long.”
“Sir!” Eagleton was regarding him anxiously.
“Yes?”
“Sir, your fly button is undone.”
As it turned out, Tyler didn’t spend much time at the hostel house. He didn’t have any more information to impart, and the girls seemed as good as could be expected. Including the warden, they were all in the common room listening to the gramophone. The sun was streaming through the windows and at first glance, the scene was happy and normal. However, he was immediately aware of how subdued the girls were. Not even Molly and Freckles waved at him as he came in. Nobody was chatting, the music was a piece of classical piano, mournful and sombre. Miss Stillwell hurried over to greet him.
“We’ve been talking a great deal about what to do and so forth, but so far all of the girls have decided to stay on here and keep working. I have to say, Inspector, I am most impressed with them. Harvest time is so demanding and important I hate to think what would happen if they deserted now. Would you like to address them yourself?”
Tyler spoke briefly, commending the young women for their decision to stay on. He emphasized the importance of being on the alert and reporting to him anything at all that they thought was amiss. He scanned the young faces, the eyes that were fixed on him. Florence Hancocks looked a little better, less pale and ravaged. She was seated in between Molly and Freckles on the couch, and Tyler had the sense that Florence had unloaded her secret. Sylvia was on the floor leaning back against Muriel’s knees; Lanky was next to her, hugging a cushion to her chest. All of the girls had clearly drawn closer to each other through this ordeal.
There was a bit of chat back and forth, but Tyler didn’t stay long. He promised to return soon with a progress report.
Miss Stillwell escorted him to the door. “The vicar from St. Alkmund’s has offered to come over this evening and conduct a service. He is a good man, surprisingly eloquent for a vicar, and I think it will be of comfort to the girls.” She held out her hand. “Thank you, Inspector. You have been most considerate.”
Tyler drove back to Whitchurch with his constable.
“Go around town. See if anybody has seen or heard of our man. I’m going to have Collis get over to the estate and watch in case he returns. I’ll send out the alert to all stations in the area. If you have anything new to tell me, doesn’t matter what, come to the house. I might as well be there as anywhere.”