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I caught Miss Hessing’s arm, stopping them both. “Tell her. It’s for the best. Tell her today. Don’t delay it a moment longer.”
She drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “All right. If you think we should.”
“I do.” I released her and we continued on, ambling along the path with no particular destination in mind. An awkward silence descended, and I knew they wanted to be alone. But I had one more issue to broach first. “While I was at the polo club, I went for a walk in the woods. You know the one, Mr. Liddicoat. It’s where you said you were the other day when Mr. Rigg-Lyon died.”
“I recall. It’s a nice spot, good for a walk to clear the mind. My peace and quiet was shattered when my cousin shouted, though.”
“You could certainly hear a shout coming from the stables from there. But you couldn’t have seen anyone in the vicinity of the stables.”
Mr. Liddicoat abruptly stopped. He spluttered a nervous laugh. “Of course you can. You must have been in the wrong area.”
“I wasn’t. You said the trees near the clubhouse, and there is only one wooded area there. Mr. Liddicoat, why did you lie about seeing a man in a brown coat and hat leave the stables?”
He laughed again, only to cut himself off with a scoffing sound.
Miss Hessing tightened her grip on his arm. “This is silly. He wouldn’t lie, Miss Fox. You must have made a mistake. You must have thought he meant a different wooded area.”
I tilted my head to the side. “Mr. Liddicoat?”
He closed his eyes and expelled a long breath. “All right. I didn’t see a man dressed in a brown coat and hat near the stables that day.”
Miss Hessing removed her arm from his and stared at him.
“I did see someone dressed like that, just not there,” he quickly added. “He was also in the woods. He didn’t see me, I’m quite sure. He had his head down, with his collar up and hat pulled low. Why would he dress for a cold, windy day when it was sunny and warm, unless he’s trying to hide his appearance?”
“Why did you lie?” I asked.
“To protect my cousin. The man in the brown coatmustbe the killer. I simply said he was in the vicinity of the stables so the police would look for him. I wanted them to take the sighting seriously.”
“By lying.”
“Rufus isn’t the murderer. That man in the brown coat is.”
Miss Hessing took his arm again. “He’s right, Miss Fox. The man in the brown coat sounds suspicious.”
“Please, you must believe me,” he went on, his voice rising. “Rufus is innocent.”
Miss Hessing bit her lip. “My mother will forbid us from seeing one another if Mr. Broadman is found guilty of murder.” She rubbed her paramour’s arm and gave him a worried smile. “We want to be together. We’re in love. But if Mr. Broadman is found guilty…well, you know what she’s like.”
Mr. Liddicoat stepped towards me, his eyes flashing. He wasn’t a large man, but he was intimidating in that moment. Desperation can change a person. “Find my cousin innocent, Miss Fox. Please. Prove he’s not a killer. I beg you.”
I nodded. What else could I do in the company of my friend?
But I wouldn’t strike Mr. Broadman off our list based on a plea. I needed evidence, and Mr. Liddicoat’s lie hadn’t helped his cousin’s cause. He was still very much a suspect until proven otherwise.
Miss Hessing didn’t want to be out of the hotel too long in case her mother returned, so we parted ways with Mr. Liddicoat and walked back together.
All was calm at the front door. The guest must have been collected, whether by Cobbit or a cab. I didn’t dare ask Frank. I didn’t want to open a can of worms and be forced to listen to his litany of complaints.
I said goodbye to Miss Hessing and continued along Piccadilly. As I passed one of my favorite teashops near the Circus, I looked through the window. I stopped when I spotted Harry seated with a woman, a pot of tea between them. I couldn’t see her face. It was obscured by an enormous hat covered with orange dahlias. She wore colorfully jeweled rings over her gloved fingers and a walking stick had been hooked to the table’s edge. I didn’t need to see her face to know it was Mrs. Hessing.
It would seem my warning to Miss Hessing had come too late—Harry had decided to report Mr. Liddicoat’s tight financial situation to his client, after all.
I hurried back to the hotel to warn her. It was the least I could do since it was my fault Harry had found out.
Chapter10
After warning Miss Hessing, I passed the teashop a second time. Harry and Mrs. Hessing were no longer inside. I continued to his office where I found him seated at the desk, writing a letter.
