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“And you are at a disadvantage that you can never observe them except under the most artificial of circumstances,” she went on, seeing his rueful agreement. “How can you possibly ask them the questions you really wish, when they are so forewarned by your mere presence that all their answers are guarded and designed to protect? You can only hope their lies become so convoluted as to trap some truth.”
“Are you acquainted with the Moidores?” He was seeking for her interest in the matter.
She waved a hand airily. “Only socially. London is very small, you know, and most good families are connected with each other. That is the purpose of a great many marriages. I have a cousin of sorts who is related to one of Beatrice’s brothers. How is she taking the tragedy? It must be a most grievous time for her.”
He set down his chocolate cup for a moment. “Very hard,” he replied, concentrating on a memory which puzzled him. “To begin with she seemed to be bearing it very well, with great calm and inner strength. Now quite suddenly she has collapsed and withdrawn to her bedroom. I am told she is ill, but I have not seen her myself.”
“Poor creature,” Callandra sympathized. “But most unhelpful to your inquiries. Do you imagine she knows something?”
He looked at her acutely. He had remarkable eyes, very dark clear gray, with an undeviating gaze that would have quelled quite a few people, but Callandra could have outstared a basilisk.
“It occurs to me,” he said carefully.
“What you need is someone inside the house whom the family and servants would consider of no importance,” she said as if the idea had just occurred to her. “And of course quite unrelated to the investigation—someone who has an acute sense of people’s behavior and could observe them without their giving any thought to it, and then recount to you what was said and done in private times, the nuances of tone and expression.”
“A miracle,” he said dryly.
“Not at all,” she replied with equally straight-faced aridity. “A woman would suffice.”
“We do not have women officers in the police.” He picked up his cup again and looked at her over the rim. “And if we did, we could hardly place one in the house.”
“Did you not say Lady Moidore had taken to her bed?”
“That is of some help?” He looked wide-eyed.
“Perhaps she would benefit from having a nurse in the house? She is quite naturally ill with distress at her daughter’s death by murder. It seems very possible she has some realization of who was responsible. No wonder she is unwell, poor creature. Any woman would be. I think a nurse would be an excellent thing for her.”
He stopped drinking his chocolate and stared at her.
With some difficulty she kept her face blank and perfectly innocent.
“Hester Latterly is at present without employment, and she is an excellent nurse, one of Miss Nightingale’s young ladies. I can recommend her highly. And she would be perfectly prepared to undertake such an engagement, I believe. She is most observant, as you know, and not without personal courage. The fact that a murder has taken place in the house would not deter her.”
“What about the infirmary?” he said slowly, a brilliant light coming into his eyes.
“She is no longer there.” Her expression was blandly innocent.
He looked startled.
“A difference of opinion with the doctor,” she explained.
“Oh!”
“Who is a fool,” she added.
“Of course.” His smile was very slight, but went all the way to his eyes.
“I am sure if you were to approach her,” she went on, “with some tact she would be prepared to apply for a temporary position with Sir Basil Moidore, to care for Lady Moidore until such time as she is herself again. I will be most happy to supply a reference. I would not speak to the hospital, if I were you. And it might be desirable not to mention my name to Hester—unless it is necessary to avoid untruth.”
Now his smile was quite open. “Quite so, Lady Callandra. An excellent idea, I am most obliged to you.”
“Not at all,” she said innocently. “Not at all. I shall also speak to my cousin Valentina, who will be pleased to suggest such a thing to Beatrice and at the same time recommend Miss Latterly.”
* * *
Hester was so surprised to see Monk she did not even think to wonder how he knew her address.
“Good morning,” she said in amazement. “Has something—” she stopped, not sure what it was she was asking.
