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I wasn’t so sure. Mr. Chapman was in a unique position to tell us about Ambrose McDonald’s close associates. I doubted he would confide in me, however. I suspected he’d prefer to see me fail. At least we could be certain he wasn’t involved in the murder. He’d been on duty in the hotel dining room at the time.
“The coachman told me something else,” Harry said. “As he got into the carriage to be driven to the ball, McDonald told the driver he was looking forward to the night because he expected it to be lucrative.”
“He planned on blackmailing someone that night,” I said, thinking out loud. “He met them in the library, told them what he knew and that he wanted money to remain quiet, and that person killed him.” My gaze connected with Harry’s. “We’ve been looking at this the wrong way. We’ve been looking for someone he was already blackmailing. But what if the killer was someone he wasaboutto blackmail? Someone he saw at the Portland Club perhaps.”
“It could have been anyone. There were a lot of people at that ball with a lot to lose. But I think you’re right. I think it was someone he was about to blackmail.”
I nodded, my mind racing. The pieces were starting to fall into place. “The maid from Searcys…I saw him give her something, most likely money. I think she’s the key to this. I think she passed on information which he paid for then took to the library where he used it to try to blackmail someone.”
Harry agreed. “Only that someone didn’t want to be blackmailed. I think you’re right. I think that maid from Searcys is the key. The fact that she gave a false name to her employer means she is up to no good. It may not be the first time she passed information to McDonald.”
The problem was, how could we find her?
I suggested calling in at the Searcys office and telling the staff member that we needed to speak to the maid again and that we were to be informed when she returned asking for more work. Harry agreed and said he’d do it that afternoon.
“Speaking of maids,” he went on. “I want to talk to the Bunburys’ girl again. While you were searching Lady Bunbury’s room, I got the distinct impression the maid knew something but held back. She may be concerned about speaking out in front of her superiors.” He suggested he talk to her again in private considering she already knew him, but I had a better idea.
We agreed to go our separate ways, with him setting off to the Searcys office and me returning to the hotel.
I found Mrs. Short the housekeeper going over accounts in the office she now shared with Mr. Chapman. The steward wasn’t there, thankfully. I didn’t want him influencing Mrs. Short’s decision.
She gave me her full attention as I informed her of a young girl of my acquaintance in need of work. “Her employer is in financial difficulty and the maid feels she needs to find something more secure. Could you take her on here?”
“We are always in need of hard-working, good girls. But I cannot hire her without a reference from her housekeeper. Not even on your word, Miss Fox.”
“I wouldn’t expect you to, Mrs. Short.”
I agreed to return with the maid that afternoon for an interview. Now I simply had to get her to think it was a good idea too.
The young maid,Annie, answered the service door upon my knock. I decided to be direct with her and tell her why I’d found her a new position, if she wanted it. At the mention of Harry, she stood a little taller.
“He noticed me?” she said, wide-eyed.
“Mr. Armitage thought you wanted to tell him something when he was here but held back. Out of fear, perhaps, or loyalty.”
She glanced over her shoulder into the depths of the house.
“Naturally, we’d very much like to know what you have to say but understand your predicament. If you’re willing to talk then you’ll have a position at the hotel. You’ll need a reference from the housekeeper here, of course.” I watched her carefully. “Is that something you’d like? Do you want to leave?”
She nodded quickly and leaned closer to me. She lowered her voice. “I haven’t been paid for a month.”
“The Mayfair always pays employees on time.”
“Wait here, if you please, Miss Fox.” She disappeared inside.
I waited for some time. I didn’t dare return to street level lest Lady Bunbury see me. Last time she’d seen me outside her house, she’d made life very difficult for my family. I remained downstairs where she hopefully never looked. She didn’t pass by, anyway.
Annie finally returned clutching an old carpet bag with broken handles to her chest. She announced with a grin that she was ready. Behind her stood the housekeeper, a thin woman with hollow cheeks who was old enough to be Annie’s grandmother.
“You must be Miss Fox,” she said, inspecting me from head to toe.
“I am. Thank you for letting Annie go.”
She considered her response before answering. “It was the right thing to do. She’s a bright, sensible girl and these opportunities don’t come along often.” She touched Annie’s arm and her face softened. “Goodbye, child. Work hard and good things will come to you. I’m sure you will soon make friends amongst the other staff. And remember to say your prayers every night.”
“I will, Mrs. Thompson.” Annie patted her coat pocket. “And thank you for the reference.”
The housekeeper gave her a wobbly smile as she squeezed Annie’s arm.
