Page 24 of Solving Sophronia

“Miss Primm,” the housekeeper said. “I’ll send her up directly.” She departed, her shoes clacking on the steps.

Sophie hesitated at the doorway, then entered the room. She studied the pattern of the worn quilt on the woman’s bed, keeping her face averted from the detective until she could master her emotions.

He opened the wardrobe, looking over the hanging gowns. “I imagine some of these are castoffs from her mistress as well?”

Sophie wiped her eyes and joined him. Most of the dresses were practical-looking, as she’d expect for a servant, but among them hung gowns of a much higher quality. She tugged the skirt of a rose-colored dress, feeling the fine silk between her fingers. “This one, certainly.”

He nodded and began inspecting the pockets of the coats and dresses.

Sophie wasn’t certain what he was looking for, but the idea of searching through a person’s belongings without their consent troubled her.

She glanced at the doorway, thinking this may be her only opportunity to speak to the man alone. “Detective Graham, I feel I should apologize for Miss Grey.”

He pulled his head from the wardrobe, confusion creasing his features. “Why?”

“Well, she was very rude, and—”

“And how is that your fault, Lady Sophronia?”

She grimaced, feeling foolish at mentioning it in the first place. “I don’t know. I just wanted you to know I disapprove of her behavior.”

He studied her face and after a moment gave a nod, then returned to looking in the wardrobe. “Do you think she’s the murderer?”

Sophie wasn’t certain if the nod was a dismissal of her sentiment or an acknowledgment. But she was relieved to focus once more on the case. “No.”

“Neither do I. She has no motive that I can discern.” The detective took a hatbox from the shelf and peered inside.

“She didn’t act guilty, rather bothered by the whole business, it seemed,” Sophie said. “Besides, she didn’t have time to remove the body to Spitalfields and return for the ball.”

“The murderer and the person who delivered the body to the alley behind the Porky Pie are not necessarily one and the same.” He closed the wardrobe and opened a bureau drawer.

“I had not considered that,” Sophie said, realizing she’d jumped to a conclusion without sufficient evidence. The murderer could have had a partner. Or could have imposed on someone else to dispose of the body.

“Hello.” A slender woman in a simple dress stood in the doorway. By the threads of gray beneath her white cap and the wrinkles around her eyes, Sophie judged her age to be close to forty.

“You must be Miss Primm.” Detective Graham did not appear the least chagrined at being caught pawing through the woman’s clothing.

“I am.”

“Detective Graham, of the Metropolitan Police.” He showed his badge. “And this is Lady Sophronia Bremerton.”

“How do you do?” Miss Primm curtsied and swallowed hard.

Sophie recognized her red eyes and the trembling of her lip as indicators that the woman was near to breaking into tears. She offered her handkerchief and led Miss Primm to sit on one of the beds, then sat on the other, facing her. The space between them was so narrow that their knees were nearly touching. It occurred to Sophie that the women must have been close friends—it would be difficult not to be, sharing such a room. Perhaps they sat this way in the evenings and confided in one another. “We have only a few questions.” Sophie tried to speak in a soothing voice and glanced at the detective, grimacing. She hoped he would not upset the woman further with his interrogation.

Detective Graham lifted his chin toward the woman, tipping his head. He wanted Sophie to conduct the interview.

She took a calming breath, considering how to go about questioning a person who was very much distressed. “I am very sorry about your roommate, Miss Primm. I take it the two of you were friends?”

“Yes.” Miss Primm’s voice was a sob. She cleared her throat and wiped her eyes. “I beg your pardon.”

“Take your time,” Sophie said, feeling her own tears returning. She gave a sympathetic smile and glanced at Detective Graham.

He watched her, brows drawn together.

At the scrutiny, Sophie felt heat rise in her cheeks. Of course he was pondering the case, not her. What a silly thought.

“Jane and I have worked together for the past five years,” Miss Primm said finally.

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