Page 34 of Murder on the Brighton Express
“And you believed her?” Herhumphimplied I was naive.
“I think she’s a little deflated after the death of Ruth. I think Ruth was the one who did all the real work, gathering evidence, following leads. Rather like me. Mrs. Scoop merely writes up the article when she has all the information.”
“At least Harry knows, I suppose,” she said as she admired her handiwork in the mirror. “He can give her name to Mrs. Hessing, and Mrs. Hessing can confront Mrs. Scoop if she wants to.”
“He plans to, but hasn’t yet. We were busy the rest of the day.”
She frowned. “He helped you?”
“We questioned Clement Beecroft together. Before you say anything, working with Harry is for my benefit, not his. My uncle thinks I’m helping Harry investigate for Mrs. Hessing. If he knew I was investigating a murder, he’d demand I stop and take only genteel cases, like finding missing puppies.”
“Missing puppies are a tragedy, Cleo.” Harmony sifted through the hair combs in the box on my dressing table and found the silver one with the aquamarines that went well with the gown she’d chosen. “What did Beecroft say when you asked him why he was in Brighton?”
I told her how our interview had started, and how it ended, and that Harry and I planned to break into the theater to find out what Beecroft was hiding. “We both think he was behaving oddly.”
“Just be careful. I don’t want you getting arrested this close to the wedding.”
“As opposed to any other time?”
“You know what I mean. A scandal could overshadow the event. Speaking of the wedding, I’ve told Jane which dress you should wear and to sweep all of your hair up with a few little delicate curls hanging loose at the sides. That style always looks fetching on you, and it’s simple to do. Tell her to attach a string of pearls at the back of the arrangement. Miss Bainbridge will make her own decisions, so at least Jane doesn’t have to worry about that.”
I took her hands in mine and leveled my gaze with hers. “I appreciate you thinking of me, but you don’t have to. You have enough on your plate. Besides, Jane is perfectly capable. Now. Deep breath.” She obliged. “And another. Better?”
“Not really.”
I kissed her forehead. “The reception will be marvelous. Don’t worry. You’re the most organized, efficient person I know. You won’t let Miss Hessing and Mr. Liddicoat down.”
“It’s not me I’m worried about. I can control what I do and don’t do. It’s everyone else that I can’t control, particularly the mother-of-the-bride and the suppliers. If she gets her way, someone will have to pay. In practical terms, that could be your uncle. Figuratively, it could be me.”
Flossy and Iwent downstairs together. We were early, but her brother was even earlier. He stood at the steward’s desk at the entrance to the restaurant, studying the reservations book. Mr. Chapman was nowhere in sight.
“Are you filling in as steward tonight?” Flossy asked.
“Don’t be absurd,” Floyd said without looking up. “Chapman’s probably replacing the flower in his buttonhole. In fact, this would go faster if he was here because I could just ask him.”
“Ask him what?”
“Whether Mrs. Hessing is dining here tonight.” His finger skimmed over the last few names before reaching the end. “Good. She isn’t.” He suddenly smiled. “I can enjoy myself.” His gaze slid past us and tightened. “Chapman’s back. Let’s find our table. I don’t want to have to explain myself.”
We took our seats at the family table but did not stay seated long. As diners began to arrive, we got up to welcome them. It was something my uncle insisted upon doing whenever possible. He claimed the personal touch was what set the Mayfair apart from other luxury London hotels. After experiencing the Grand Brighton Hotel’s service, I tended to agree with him. The Mayfair had a warmth about it that hotel lacked.
Conversations were not so varied tonight. Indeed, they were generally limited to two and divided according to gender. The men exchanged gossip about a motor vehicle cheating scandal and the women wanted to know about the arrangements for the Hessing-Liddicoat wedding. Considering Flossy and I couldn’t divulge anything, and indeed knew nothing, those conversations were rather short.
I extricated myself once my aunt and uncle arrived, but my heart sank upon seeing her. Her pupils were huge, her gaze darting about, and her movements were jerky as if she had too much energy coursing through her. They were all signs she’d just taken a dose of tonic. What worried me more, however, was seeing the way Uncle Ronald fussed over her. He quickly pulled out her chair before she asked, signaled for the menu to be brought over immediately, and asked my aunt several times if she needed anything. He didn’t get up and converse with guests as he usually would, but stayed with my aunt. He settled for watching Floyd play host instead. He must be worried about Aunt Lilian, too.
“What do you think, Cleopatra?” Uncle Ronald asked. “Will the wedding be good enough for Mrs. Hessing?”
“Floyd is doing a fine job with the arrangements,” I assured him. “And Harmony is an excellent assistant. She’ll make sure everything is perfect.”
Uncle Ronald’s lips flattened as he once again watched Floyd.
Aunt Lilian sniffed. “Stop undermining him, Ronald.” Never had I heard her snap at him. She’d been brusque with Flossy, Floyd and me, but never her husband.
He seemed just as taken aback. “I, er…”
“It’s typical of you to doubt his ability. It’s no wonder he struggles, with you being so critical all the time.”
Uncle Ronald glanced at me, but I wasn’t sure what he expected me to do. I didn’t dare say a word in case Aunt Lilian turned her wrath on me.
