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There was nothing for it but to come right out and say it. I should have asked this morning when the idea first formed, but it wasn’t the right time. He was too upset, as was I. I only hoped the gentlemen’s agreement didn’t encompass him, too. Although if it did, he was the weakest link.
“Why did Harry Armitage meet you and Floyd outside the Druitt-Poores’ last night?”
He expelled a long breath, as if he’d been expecting the question but hoped not to be asked. “I’m not supposed to say…”
But it was clear he wanted to tell me. A little encouragement should make him confess. “If this is in relation to Floyd’s predicament then I should know about it. You already involved me so I should be kept up to date. Otherwise, how do I know what part I can play?”
“Very well. It’s not as though it matters. Armitage made no difference to the situation. In fact, he was quite useless.”
“Harry?”
He nodded. “Armitage was waiting for us outside the Druitt-Poores’. Apparently you’d told him about the ball.”
“Just in passing.”
“He followed us in a cab from there to our destination. He intercepted us outside the house and told Floyd he could help him pay back what he owed Dutch.”
“Dutch?”
“The gambler. I guessed that you told him about Floyd’s debt, but I know I never gave you the name. I can’t work out how Armitage knew it.”
“Because he’s good at what he does.”
“Meaning?”
I dismissed the question with a wave. “Was Floyd angry that Harry knew?”
“At first, but Armitage calmed him down by making him think all would be well. Floyd seemed almost relieved for Armitage to be involved. He should have got more details about Armitage’s plan before letting him inside. It was a private party, you see, and only guests of invited guests were allowed. Floyd vouched for Armitage and Dutch agreed he could join in. Well.” He made a scoffing sound. “Your associate clearly just wanted to help himself. He probably assumed playing with the big boys would earn him big money.”
“I don’t understand. Harry played cards?”
He nodded. “And won, naturally. That’s always Dutch’s way. Let them win the first time so they get cocky, then the next time, take them for all they’ve got, and more. Last night was the first instalment so Armitage won a tidy sum.”
“That’s good, isn’t it? If he won, he can give it all to Dutch on Floyd’s behalf?”
He shook his head. “One has to declare beforehand that one is playing on another’s behalf. It’s a gentlemanly thing. You wouldn’t understand.”
“But Harry can just give Floyd the money now and Floyd can take it tonight. Dutch needn’t know where it came from.”
“First of all, Floyd wouldn’t accept money from Armitage.”
“A gentleman’s thing again?”
“More of a former employee thing. And secondly, it wasn’t nearly enough to cover what Floyd owes Dutch. He would have to return again and again, but Dutch won’t let him win a second or third time.”
I chewed my lip, trying to think as Harry would. But I couldn’t. It didn’t make sense. Why was he even helping Floyd at all?
“That’s why I was trying to urge you not to associate with him anymore.” At my blank look, he added, “Armitage clearly wanted to splash around in a more exclusive pool than what he’s used to. He enjoyed his evening, met some important people, flirted with a pretty actress, and left with his pockets full.” He waited for that to sink in. “He used Floyd, Cleo. He’s probably using you too. While I would never tell you what to do or who to see—”
“You already have, actually.”
“I’m urging you to be careful. At best, Armitage has simply failed in his aim to help his former employer’s son. At worst, he has another agenda that involves you.”
I stared at the closed door to Floyd’s suite, not quite sure what to make of Jonathon’s story. If it was true, what was the point of Harry going at all? He’d not succeeded in helping Floyd. Was he trying to impress me? If so, why make Floyd and Jonathon agree to a code that dictated they couldn’t tell me? I doubted Harry was out to impress me anyway. He’d never given me an encouraging sign.
Perhaps Jonathon was right and Harry had done it for his own selfish reasons.
But that wasn’t the Harry I knew, and I refused to accept Jonathon’s version. I’d considered thanking him for informing me. But I wouldn’t thank him for attempting to disparage a good person’s name.
