| |
NATURALLY, THE MISSING jewels and Bess’s predisposition toward theft must be connected.
It was Bess.
She’d stolen the jewels and she’d murdered Mr. Tehrani. It all made sense.
Perhaps Bess had met Mr. Tehrani at a club or even at her department store. They would have found each other attractive. Perhaps Mr. Tehrani had shown himself to be no knight in shining armor, or perhaps he’d known she’d stolen the prized possession for which he was responsible. Miss Greensbody had gushed about the treasures to Cora after she’d barely known her, and Cora would find it difficult to imagine she had not mentioned it to the other people in the apartment.
No wonder Bess had hid her recognition of Mr. Tehrani.
Cora marched back to Veronica’s hotel, hardly lessening her speed as she crossed the sumptuous lobby. Never mind the gold and crystal chandeliers and never mind the eighteenth century furniture that signified that this hotel was every bit a palace. Cora had no time to marvel at their beauty.
She soon knocked on Veronica’s door, grateful when her friend answered.
“Cora?” Veronica asked. “Please don’t tell me you’ve gotten another note.”
“I haven’t,” Cora said. “But I know who the murderer is.”
“Then call the police,” she said.
Right.
That was what she was supposed to do.
But what evidence did she have? A photograph that had been in the dead man’s blazer? The fact Bess had been terminated from her position for theft?
Cora sat down. “I suppose I don’t really know.”
“You have a hunch,” Veronica said, with a slight note of disapproval in her voice.
“Bess stole a watch at work,” Cora said.
“And you think that means she may have taken the jewels,” Veronica said.
“It sounds silly,” Cora said.
“Of course not,” Veronica said quickly, thought she didn’t offer any other words of support.
“I should search her apartment,” Cora said. “If I find the jewels, I’ll know for certain. Bess is gone for the weekend anyway.”
“We’ll go there together,” Veronica promised. “I’ll even bring a cake. Consider it a housewarming present. Less durable than a plant, but still able to bring pleasure. I got it at a party last night.”
They strode to the lobby, and Veronica arranged for a driver. Soon they arrived back in Bloomsbury.
The building didn’t seem foreboding, but Cora’s heart still pitter-pattered as they climbed the stairs to her room. She could hear murmurings in Lionel’s and Rollo’s flat.
“We can come back later,” Veronica whispered.
“Nonsense.” Cora didn’t want to extend this process. She still didn’t know where her father was. This needed to be resolved.
“We’re still alive,” Veronica said, as they entered the flat. “Brilliant.”
“You mustn’t speak like that,” Cora whispered.
“I would suggest tea, but this place gives me the creeps,” Veronica said.
“Nonsense,” Cora said. “Though Archibald will like the walk. Wouldn’t you, Archibald?”
Archibald wagged his tail and ran in a circle.
“I wish I were as eager for exercise,” Veronica murmured and disappeared down the steps with Archibald.
Cora approached Bess’s door. Her heart hammered, and she tore a trusty hairpin from her bun.
She told herself that Bess wouldn’t be here.
The boys were below, but that didn’t matter. She could be quiet. She’d mastered the art of tiptoeing long ago.
She knocked on the door, just in case Bess was there, hairpin in hand.
The door opened.
Cora blinked.
The door wasn’t supposed to open. Bess was supposed to be in the Cotswolds, visiting her family, this weekend.
And yet her presence was unmistakable.
“Hello.” Cora forced a smile to her face.
“What are you doing here?” Bess’s eyes narrowed.
Golly.
“I thought you were going to be in Cotswolds,” Cora said.
“Then why are you knocking on my door?” Bess frowned. “You’ve been acting quite strangely.”
“I mean, I hoped you weren’t gone yet,” Cora rushed to say, clasping her hairpin more tightly in the palm of her hand.
“Why?”
“I—I” Cora swallowed hard. The action seemed to be more difficult due to the rapid beating of her heart. “I have a cake in my room. I thought we could have tea.”
“Tea?” Bess still looked suspicious, but then her shoulders relaxed. “I like tea.”
Cora beamed. Every English person liked tea.
“I wanted to invite Lionel and Rollo too,” Cora said hastily. Bess was not much taller than her, but she still didn’t think it would be a good idea to be alone with her. She’d learned her lesson from past experiences. She wasn’t going to confront a murderer alone.
“Even better!” Bess said.
Rollo and Lionel were similarly enthusiastic about the hasty cake and tea party, and Cora decided to invite Miss Greensbody as well.
She knocked on Miss Greensbody’s door. Miss Greensbody answered and removed her ruffled white apron before joining.
Something about the apron seemed familiar. No doubt, she’d met seen someone else wearing a similar one.