‘These contraptions have always fascinated me.’ Ed kept a steady stream of chatter on the short but tense journey inside the metal box up to the fourth floor. ‘Ever since my grandmother told me about the one she saw at the Crystal Palace Exhibition when she was a girl.’
‘They’ve been refined somewhat since then.’ Miss Hunter-Griggs turned the full heat of her beautiful eyes on him. ‘More and more hotels are installing them, which is a shame. I’m sure many of our guests book a room here primarily to enjoy the novelty of our ascending room.’
The lift jerked slightly. Flora reached for the handrail that ran around three sides of the enclosed box, the other pressed against her midriff.
‘Are you all right, Flora?’ Ed ducked his head close to hers to be heard over the loud grinding of gears. ‘You look a bit pale. Don’t you find this exhilarating?’ His enthusiastic nudge to her ribs and cheerful smile made her want to slap him.
‘Please don’t be unduly worried, Mrs Harrington.’ Miss Hunter-Griggs laid a reassuring hand on Flora’s forearm, her eyes darkening in concern. ‘This is an Otis safety elevator. Should the cable break, which I assure you it will not, a device engages something called knurled rollers which lock the guides.’
Flora smiled and nodded, refusing to play the nervous female with regards to the lift, although kept a tight grip on her handbag. The sight of grey blank walls and building struts gliding past on their way up did make her slightly queasy.
The lift bounced to a stop, the gates dragged open with a noisy screech by the attendant, releasing them into a semi-circular hall with three doors leading off a curved wall.
Miss Hunter-Griggs approached the left-hand door, which she unlocked with a key attached to a fob in the colours of the hotel. ‘Welcome to my domain,’ she stepped to one side and gestured them inside with an expansive wave of her arm.
‘This is lovely.’ Flora couldn’t help but admire the spacious sitting room decorated in shades of teal and pale cream. She had not known what to expect, but the use of colours and textures were beautifully combined to make Flora envious.
‘I’m so glad you like it.’ Miss Hunter-Griggs tugged off her gloves, revealing slim fingers with oval pink nails.
Ed wandered to the window and braced his palms on the sill. ‘There’s quite a view from up here. I can see the entire front of the British Museum.’
‘This side of the building faces the street but is far enough up to be quiet.’ Miss Hunter-Griggs dropped the gloves on a nearby table. ‘My bedroom is through there, together with a private bathroom, complete with water closet.’ She gestured to a set of double doors opposite the window. ‘You’ll probably think I’m spoiled, but when Frederick and I were forced to sell our house in Bloomsbury, I insisted everything here be arranged exactly as I wanted it.’
‘You were forced to sell?’ Flora laid her bag carefully down on a champagne-coloured silk couch with spindly gold legs.
‘Yes, and it was such a blow. I loved that house.’ She sighed. ‘But we needed the funds to complete the hotel renovations. Father had been generous enough and Frederick and I agreed we had to raise the money ourselves.’
Flora made no comment, having gleaned a slightly different impression from the Colonel. Either Miss Hunter-Griggs was an accomplished liar or the twins had accepted their father’s decree without resentment.
‘Frederick and I are delighted with the hotel, which is doing well.’
‘It’s most elegant.’ Flora’s gaze stayed on the coat that she had draped carelessly over a chair.
‘In fact, I hardly miss the house at all now,’ she went on. ‘The only drawback being the staff call on me at all times of the day and night with problems to sort out, not to mention the odd irate guest.’ She paused in her journey across the room and tilted her head. ‘Do make yourself comfortable, both of you. Might I offer you some refreshment?’
Ed looked about to accept, but at a swift glance from Flora he clamped his mouth shut.
‘That’s kind, but no thank you.’ Flora sank into the upholstery of a blue velvet sofa she had assumed, wrongly, offered more style than comfort.
‘Ah, well if you’re sure.’ Their hostess’s smile dissolved as she took a chair in the same rich blue velvet. ‘I’m sure Frederick has done so already, Mrs Harrington, but I wanted to thank you for being so kind to my father.’
Deprived of an opportunity for food, Ed restored to a slow tour of the room, his hands clasped behind his back. as he examined a display of china ornaments and paintings.
‘I didn’t see it as kindness.’ Flora hoped her lie wasn’t too transparent. ‘I genuinely asked him to help me.’ Not that she was about to explain with what.
Miss Hunter-Griggs sighed. ‘He gets few visitors, and after his health upset last winter he’s been ordered to rest more.’
‘He’s been ill?’ Flora recalled the Colonel had mentioned some recent trouble with his heart. ‘He appeared quite well during my visit. I hope nothing has changed?’
‘Oh, Father’s as strong as a horse. A carthorse.’ Her light tinkling laugh filled the room. ‘Frederick doesn’t trust doctors and was convinced he told us Father had a heart problem to increase his fee.’
Ed paused in his examination of a display of china ornaments to bestow a long, admiring look on Miss Hunter-Griggs.
Flora suppressed a sigh, although his interest in such an attractive woman was understandable. What was more unnerving, was the fact she too was beginning to like this woman.
‘Do tell me about your career in journalism, Mrs Harrington.’ Miss Hunter-Griggs wiggled back in her seat and arranged her skirts round her as if settling in for a long chat. ‘I so admire you, a married woman and yet determined to follow your own path. You must have a very obliging husband?’
Ed gave a snort of laughter which he changed into a cough. ‘Sorry, frog in my throat.’
‘The journalism idea is very new and experimental.’ Flora briefly narrowed her eyes at Ed. ‘I don’t know if it will turn into anything, but my husband heartily approves. In his view, if I’m happy and fulfilled, then he can only benefit.’
‘How very wise of him. I was engaged once, but I broke it off, much to Father’s chagrin. I prefer life as a businesswoman to that of a wife. I would love to know how you manage to combine the two. Do you have children?’
Flora swallowed, her gaze going back to the coat. The less this woman knew about her the better. ‘Um, no, not yet.’
Ed aimed a puzzled frown in her direction, but made no attempt to contradict her.
‘Well, I’m sure you’ll manage that as efficiently as you obviously do everything else.’ Miss Hunter-Griggs rose and swept the incriminating coat from the chair. ‘Let me put this away and then we can have our talk.’ She disappeared inside the bedroom just as a streak of black shot past her into the room, while emitting a high-pitched wail, and dashed under the sofa where its mistress had sat.
‘I hope you’re not averse to animals?’ she asked, reappearing minus the coat.
‘Er, no, not as a rule, although I have none of my own.’ Flora eyed the animal that looked ready to attack any second.
‘We have gun dogs in the country.’ Ed replaced an expensive looking Chinese vase onto its plinth, enabling Flora to breathe again. ‘Cats too, to keep the rats down, but they’re feral and I never know how many there are.’
‘I couldn’t be without my Mr Brody.’ Miss Hunter-Griggs bent, hooked an arm under the sofa and swept the bundle of fluff into her arms. ‘Have you been fighting again, you naughty boy?’ She pursed her lips and nuzzled the soft fur. ‘I keep him inside most of the time because he tends to battle with the street cats.’ The animal rubbed its nose along her jaw, mewing gently. ‘My poor darling always comes off worse and suffers so.’ She resumed her seat and propped the cat on her lap. Mr Brody scrunched up an already flat face and kneaded her skirt with its claws, circled twice, stretched a pink mouth in a yawn and settled on her knee.
‘Your father mentioned you had recently reconciled with your half-brother,’ Flora ventured, having unwittingly entered the lion’s lair, she might as well find out what she could when she had the chance. ‘He said you hadn’t seen him for many years?’
‘That’s right.’ Her fingers teased the animal’s fur gently. ‘I shouldn’t speak ill of the dead, I know, but Frederick and I resent Father’s late wife for having kept Leonard from us for so many years. I’m sure she must have poisoned his mind against Papa. Not that we would ever speak disrespectfully of her in Leonard’s presence. He’s very loyal to his mother’s memory.’
‘Your father mentioned she had died. Was it recent?’ Flora asked.
‘Last year, yes.’ She kept her attention on the cat as she spoke but seemed quite matter-of-fact. ‘I hadn’t seen her since I was a child, so cannot pretend to feel anything more than mild regret. She was our nurse, you see, mine and Frederick’s. Between you and me, I think it’s why Papa married her. As a widower with four-year-old twins serving in India, he found himself somewhat at a loss.’
‘How did you come to meet Leonard after so long? Your father didn’t give me specific details.’
‘It was all quite unexpected.’ The cat stretched its limbs as an invitation to stroke the soft curls on its belly and she obliged. ‘Leonard visited us and explained who he was.’ She dimpled prettily and brought a delicate hand to her mouth. ‘Taking the word of a complete stranger sounds naïve, doesn’t it?’
‘I didn’t mean to imply—’
‘Oh, no, I’m sure you didn’t. And we didn’t. Take his word for it I mean. Frederick was diligent and put him through some rigorous questioning. Leonard knew all about Father’s service in India, how Sylvia had deserted Father and went running back to her parents in England taking him with her. She opened a haberdashery shop of all things. Can you imagine? No wonder Leo couldn’t wait to meet his real family.’
‘Did Leonard remember anything about you or his father?’ Flora asked.
‘He claimed to have an unusual intellect and could remember things from when he was about a year old. Since I’ve got to know him I’ve begun to think he fudged it. He’s not the smartest person I’ve met, if you see what I mean.’ She directed a knowing smile at Flora which she transferred to Ed, who flushed. ‘He said he had always known who he was, of course, but was reluctant to contact us out of respect for his mother. When she died, he no longer felt the need to keep away.’
Flora searched for inconsistencies, but the story flowed easily and with unexpected candour. Nor did she appear to suspect why Flora asked so many questions. If Francis Hunter-Griggs were guilty, then she was also a consummate actress. The prosecution would have a difficult time with her.
‘Where had Leonard been all these years?’ Ed placed one foot on the fender and his thumbs tucked into his waistcoat.
Flora bit her lip to prevent a smile. Bunny often stood just like that when he was pontificating on a point of law or sifting through scenarios. Ed must have studied him to mimic him so accurately.
‘He grew up in Cheltenham,’ Miss Hunter-Griggs said. ‘Which is in Gloucestershire, you know. Not that I’ve ever been there, but I’m told it’s an attractive town.’
‘I do know, and it is. I once lived there,’ Flora said.
‘I still do,’ Ed added.
‘Really?’ She stared at first one then the other in what appeared genuine surprise. ‘You didn’t happen to know Leonard or his mother, did you?’
‘Well, I—’ Ed began.
‘No, I’m afraid not,’ Flora cut him off sharply, studying Francis for signs of guilt or anxiety but saw none. ‘It’s quite a large town.’
‘Oh, yes, of course, how silly of me.’ Her girlish giggle was interrupted by a discreet rap at the door, which opened to reveal the woman in the black dress Flora had seen on the ground floor.
‘I’m very sorry to bother you, Miss Francis,’ she said in a flat, bored voice with no discernible accent. ‘There’s a problem in the kitchens.’
‘Can’t Mr Frederick handle it?’ Still cuddling the cat, Miss Hunter-Griggs stood and drifted towards the door.
‘He’s not available. I told the delivery man he must have got the order wrong, but he insists it’s correct.’
‘As I said, I’m always being interrupted.’ Miss Hunter-Griggs sighed, placed the cat on the floor, which immediately scampered back under the sofa. ‘I’ll have to see to this, I’m afraid, but I won’t be long.’
‘Don’t let us keep you from your work.’ Flora gestured to Ed it was time to go. ‘We’ll leave you in peace.’
‘I wouldn’t dream of your going so soon.’ She strode forward and guided Flora firmly back into her seat. ‘We were having such a nice talk. I wouldn’t want it to end so abruptly.’ She bestowed a bright smile on each of them in turn, the door catch giving a loud click as she closed it behind her. Was it Flora’s imagination, or was there a sinister edge to Miss Hunter-Griggs’ insistence they stay?
*
Flora waited until their footsteps had receded along the hall, then ran forward and gave the door handle a firm turn.
‘What are you doing?’ Ed broke off from his contemplation of a semi-nude painting on the wall.
‘I wanted to see if it was locked.’
‘And is it?’
The catch gave and she released a relieved breath. ‘No.’
‘Then what’s wrong? You’ve been jumpy ever since we came up here. Why don’t you relax and sit down, she’ll be back in a moment.’
‘That’s what worries me. Ed, listen. Everyone referred to the Colonel’s children as “the twins”, so I assumed Frederick and Francis were both men. It never occurred to me Francis could be a woman.’
‘I don’t see what the problem is.’ Ed shrugged. ‘I find her charming and quite beautiful.’
‘Which hasn’t gone unnoticed.’ She sliced him a disdainful sideways look. ‘I’ve been searching for a woman in a red coat and she’s been in front of me all the time.’
‘Coat? Yes, of course, she was wearing one with those black embroidered things you spoke about. A bit of a coincidence she should own one like it, don’t you think?’
‘Don’t be dense, Ed. It’s hardly a coincidence.’
‘Are you sure? I’m afraid I didn’t put much store by it since Bunny and the Inspector didn’t either.’
‘You don’t have to remind me.’ She worried a thumbnail between her teeth. ‘They both made me feel stupid even mentioning it. Dr Grace told us the woman who brought Sylvia Thompson to her surgery was wearing a coat like that. One exactly like it was delivered to this hotel last year. Do you still think it’s all pure chance? Are you sure you don’t recognize her from the train, or on the concourse when you were leaving?’
‘I think I would have remembered Miss Francis.’ Ed shoved his hands in his pockets, his brow furrowed. ‘I don’t believe she’s a killer, and anyway, she said she’s never been to Cheltenham?’
‘Oh, well if she said so.’ Flora began to lose patience. ‘Because a beautiful woman couldn’t possibly tell lies or kill anyone? Ed, you’re such a man.’
‘I can’t help that.’ Ed fidgeted, his neck an uncomfortable red. ‘Are you sure you’ve got this right, Flora? She’s convinced that chap downstairs is Leonard, so if she and Frederick didn’t kill Leo, who did?’
‘I’m not certain of anything at this point.’ She had to admit Miss Francis had convinced her too. Maybe Frederick was the one who was in cahoots with Leonard or whatever his name was? They might have kept Francis in ignorance as an integral part of their plan.
‘Well?’ Ed demanded. ‘What do we do now?’
‘I’m not sure, but now we’re here, you can help me search. You try in here and I’ll take a look in the bedroom.’ She opened the inner door to an even more opulent room decorated in deep pink and pale green. A gilt-framed cheval mirror set at an angle across one corner reflected the light from a window with the same view as the sitting room.
‘Search for what?’ Ed jumped back as the cat ran between his feet and scooted under the silk-covered bed.
‘I need to find something which links Miss Francis to Sylvia, or even Leo. Lady Egerton’s diamond bracelet might be a good start. I don’t know what it looks like, but I doubt there’s more than one.’ She strode toward a bureau and started pulling out drawers which contained little but handkerchiefs and small boxes of cosmetics.’
‘What does a bracelet have to do with anything?’ Ed called through the door from where he crouched in front of a red and gold lacquered Chinese cabinet and pulled out a row of shallow drawers.
‘It’s complicated. But I have an idea that the Leonard downstairs was one of Lady Egerton’s card-playing young men who stole one from her’
‘I have no idea what you are talking about.’ Ed poked his head round the cupboard door, a hank of hair flopping over his forehead.
‘Never mind, just keep looking.’
Apart from the detritus of cosmetics in delicate pots, a powder puff and various trinkets on Francis’ dressing table, sat a photograph album Flora would have loved to browse through, but resisted. In a shallow drawer below it lay a pile of postcards from seaside towns, a few handkerchiefs and pencils.
‘It’s the only connection I have managed to make between Leo, Marlborough and the coat.’
‘Sounds a bit thin to me.’ Ed sat back on his knees. ‘Should we be doing this?’
‘Yes, we should. Keep looking, we don’t have much time.’ She bundled everything back where it was before attacking another drawer, her nerves jumping at every noise.
‘There’s no jewellery box here.’ Ed clambered to his feet and dusted off his trousers. ‘Not even one of those velvet lined cases jewellers use.’
‘No, you’re right. It doesn’t seem to be here.’ Disappointed, Flora replaced the double drawers she had pulled out of a small desk containing notepaper and pens but no letters or anything remotely personal. ‘Francis might have sold it. She did say they had run out of money for the hotel renovations.’
‘Huh! Then it’s probably languishing in a pawnshop somewhere.’ Ed’s voice softened as he wandered to a bureau in a corner of the sitting room.
‘You’re not helping, Ed.’ Flora muttered to herself, making an unsuccessful attempt to coax the cat from beneath the bed.
‘Hey, take a look at this. It’s just like the one you bought in Cheltenham the other day.’
‘What is?’ Flora gave up on the cat and scrambled to her feet. Ed stood at the bedroom door, a rectangular wooden box in both hands, the lid angled to reveal a design of white painted peonies.
She gasped. ‘Where did you find it?’
‘On the bureau over there by the door.’ His face took on an animation that had been lacking up until now. ‘Are you thinking what I am?’
‘Possibly. Let me see inside.’ Her heart thumped as she eased open the lid, revealing a neat row of instruments nestled into grooves in the velvet lining.
‘There’s an empty space where the stiletto should be.’ Ed pointed, his eyes wide. ‘Oh, lord. Miss Francis did kill Leo?’
‘That settles it. We’re leaving.’ Flora slammed the lid and shoved the box towards him. ‘Put it back where you found it. We need to find Inspector Maddox.’
The sooner they got out of there, the better.