Lord Collingwood was speaking: ‘It seems the villain has been grooming girlies from the former Eastern bloc. He is what in the old days they used to call a “procurer”. Joan had been busy collecting evidence. She’d already interviewed one of the Lithuanian contingent. Girl called Inge, I believe, some such name. She is one of Olga’s associates.’
‘You think Bedaux got wind of it? He feared exposure?’
‘That’s what must have happened, yes. He must have become aware of Joan’s activities and got in a blue funk. It’s serious criminal business we are talking about, Payne. An escort service. An exclusive call-girl ring. He not only went about recruiting girls from run-down countries, but he forged papers, scouted for clients and so on and so forth. The villain also employed bribery and blackmail in equal measure. What did the Bard say, remember? “’Tis a knavish piece of work.”’
‘When did Joan tell you about it? Was it at Richoux’s?’
‘Yes. She said she had gathered sufficient evidence to have Bedaux arrested. Apparently she had quite a file on him. Enough to persuade the police to start an investigation. Wouldn’t you say her killing was a bit on the opportune side?’ Lord Collingwood produced a cigar.
‘I think you should tell the police about it, Collingwood.’
‘Of course I shall. I am glad we are in agreement, Payne. Nothing will give me greater pleasure than to cook Bedaux’s goose. Poor Joanie must be avenged. I can’t begin to explain how much she meant to me. It’s been a blow. A very private kind of wound.’ He struck a match and held it to his cigar. ‘I intend to spend some time at Collingwood. It would help me recuperate. Scotland agrees with me.’
Payne said, ‘Scotland must look wonderful at this time of year.’
‘It most certainly does. The best place to mourn the passing of a loved one. I am still extremely fond of Collingwood Castle. That, as it happens, is where I proposed to Deirdre. She was something quite exceptional in those days. If you could envisage the Holy Madonna crossed with the Whore of Babylon? An irresistible hybrid! I don’t suppose you have ever made any wrong decisions, Payne, have you?’
‘I have. Millions of times.’
‘You do amaze me. But your marriage is in good shape? If you don’t mind my prying?’
‘My marriage is fine. As close to perfection as you’ll ever get in an imperfect world.’
‘That’s splendid.’ Lord Collingwood became wreathed in cigar smoke. ‘Collingwood Castle, yes. My mother tells me the roof’s leaking, the ghillies don’t say much and the dogs keep howling, as though sensing some imminent calamity, but I can’t wait to be reunited with my fishing rod and old Balmoral bonnet! Remember what a Balmoral bonnet looks like, Payne? Mine is festooned with dry-flies and battered old creed. Fond of trout fishing?’
‘Used to be. Haven’t done it for quite some time now.’
‘Nothing like it! Perhaps you could join me at Collingwood when this awful business is over?’ Lord Collingwood glanced at his watch. ‘Must dash, if I’m to speak to someone at Scotland Yard. Used to know all the chief commissioners at one time. I’ll also have to convey my condolences to Joan’s father, who of course wasn’t –’ Lord Collingwood broke off. He rose to his feet. ‘Not a prospect I relish!’
‘Have you by any chance a phone number for Joan Selwyn’s new young man?’ Major Payne asked. ‘Or his address?’
‘You’d like to speak to him? His name is Billy Selkirk. I haven’t got his number but I learnt he shares a flat in Shepherds Market with a friend of his, a most decent chap called Mortimer, who happens to be the nephew of a great chum of mine.’ Putting on a pair of half-moon glasses, Lord Collingwood produced a notebook and started leafing through it. ‘Here it is – Sieg Mortimer – that’s the chap’s name – a terribly decent young fellow – much admired for his maturity and good sense – good address too –’
He dictated the address to Payne who wrote it down. Both of them rose to their feet at the same time.
‘One more thing Collingwood. What was it you started to say but broke off? You are bound to think me a nosy parker but I can’t stand the idea of loose ends. I am worse than Antonia in that respect. You started saying that Joan’s father was not – what?’
Lord Collingwood looked at him steadily out of his bright china-blue eyes. ‘You really want to know? Well, why not. You are a most trustworthy fellow. He was not her real father, Payne. I was.’
‘Joan was your daughter? So that’s what you meant by a “very private kind of wound” …’
‘Yes, Payne. I had no idea but her mother wrote to me about it some time ago. Came as a complete surprise. I was – well, appalled – I mean, delighted.’ Lord Collingwood gave a little smile. ‘It was a shock. I have no children, you know. I was glad to have found a daughter. And now I have lost her.’ He shook his head. ‘Makes everything appear so pointless, doesn’t it?’
‘I am sorry,’ Payne said.
‘I got Ada’s letter a month ago. Ada de Ravigny. She seems to have reverted to her maiden name.’
‘I knew a de Ravigny who was in the diplomatic corps.’
‘Her brother, I believe. Well, Ada was my mistress for quite a while. Years ago. Poor Ada’s in a hospice now. She is dying. Cancer. May be dead by now, I don’t know. Her letter sounds like one of those deathbed outpourings. She never told Joan I was her father. It was up to me to tell her, if I thought it right. That’s what she wrote.’
‘Did you tell Joan?’
‘Afraid not. Never got round to it.’ Lord Collingwood sighed. ‘But one thing I did do. I drew up a draft for a new will. I meant Joanie to have everything. All my earthly riches, including Collingwood Castle. I was going to take the draft to my solicitors next week … Now she is dead … The futility of it!’
They collected their coats.
‘Does Lady Collingwood know that Joan is your daughter?’ Payne asked.
‘Deirdre? She is not supposed to know but I have reason to believe she does know, blast her. I strongly suspect that Deirdre’s read Ada’s letter – as well as the draft of the new will. Deirdre has the habit of ransacking my desk whenever the fancy takes her. She thinks I have no idea but I do. She always leaves everything in a mess.’ He sighed. ‘I should have been more careful. I should have changed the lock.’
‘You said it was only the draft of a new will. Who is the main beneficiary according to your current will?’
‘Deirdre of course, blast her, though I am not sure she deserves to be, do you?’ Lord Collingwood put on his black homburg. ‘Good grief, Payne, why are you staring at me like that? You don’t think it was Deirdre who –?’