Mugs, Murder, and Mayfair Read online

  There didn’t seem to be much else to ask. I got to my feet and gave it one more try. “The other victim we know about was having an affair with a married woman.”

  “I wish mine were so simple. I risk jail with mine. Which is why I have to ask you to say nothing.”

  I couldn’t quite see the quiet gentleman in front of me doing anything that would warrant jail time. Jenkins, Collins, and Chatwal didn’t seem like the sort of place to embezzle money or swindle clients like Donovan and Associates, but then I’d only spoken to him for a few moments, and simply because he had been willing to listen to Kate and me when he thought we were there about a contract didn’t mean he had nothing illegal to hide. “All right. Thank you for what you’ve told me already.”

  “I hope it helps your friend.”

  I wasn’t until I was at the door that I realized what he’d really been saying. Instead of going out, I pulled it closed and stood very still. “When you said jail, did you mean two years hard labor?”

  I could feel him staring at my back, trying to gauge what I meant.

  I didn’t turn. “If that’s it, I promise our investigator is very discreet and not at all interested in investigating that sort of thing. But he does want to catch the blackmailer.”

  Mr. Grayson was still staring at me. “I... I would like to help your friend, but...”

  I’d guessed right. I could feel that I’d guessed right. I turned back to him but stayed by the door. “I wasn’t entirely honest with you, I’m afraid. My friend is a victim, but not of blackmail. She’s being accused of murdering one of the blackmailer’s other victims. The investigator is with Scotland Yard. He will not be interested in what I think we’re talking about, I can promise you that.”

  Mr. Grayson stared at me. I said nothing, letting him decide what to do.

  “His name is Daniel. We are very discreet. I don’t know how the blackmailer found out. We’re so careful.”

  I resumed my seat and left the door closed. “Your blackmailer was Mr. Purnell. Does that help?”

  “Mr. Purnell? The barber? I wondered. I was told in the first note I would get proof he knew about Daniel, and I found it in my pocket while I was leaving the shop, a note describing an evening out we’d had and how we’d gone back to his flat. I knew someone there had slipped it in. And there was the way he sometimes looked at me when I went in, but then I worry so often... And Daniel said he thought we were being watched, but we didn’t see anyone. He said it was just a feeling. But why? Money, I suppose. You said was?”

  “He’s disappeared. There’s an investigation into his disappearance. That’s what the policeman I know is looking into. And if he finds blackmail, he will stop it.”

  “I see. Well, I suppose I should try to help as I’ve told you that much already. I wasn’t sure about Mr. Purnell because I couldn’t see how he’d found out. I am completely certain I’ve never mentioned Daniel at his shop, and Daniel goes to a man on St. James so he wouldn’t have seen us together. Although...”

  I stayed silent and allowed him to think.

  “I have gone to Purnell to be shaved and have my hair sorted out before special occasions, our anniversary or his birthday dinner. It was at our anniversary dinner where he thought we were being watched, and it could have been the evening he’d described in the note. I suppose Mr. Purnell could have followed me, but we’re so careful, and Daniel’s flat is on the second floor, and in public, in a restaurant or the theater, we would never so much as touch hands.” He sighed. “But it has to be that, doesn’t it?”

  “If we find out, I’ll be sure to tell you.”

  “And you’re certain of this policeman?”

  “Yes.” That was one thing I was completely certain Inspector Wainwright and I would agree on. “I should tell you there is a second policeman looking into the murder of the victim, but he doesn’t think the cases are connected. His name is Fulson, and I wouldn’t trust him with anything.”

  “Thank you for the warning.”

  I tried to think of anything else to ask him, but could only think of one odd thing. “Before, you said it should stay in the past?”

  “I was hoping to get rid of you.”

  I smiled so he would know I wasn’t offended and handed him one of my cards. “You’d have to do a lot better than that. If you think of anything else that might help.”

  “I’ll ask Daniel when I see him next. Perhaps he can remember something more of the night he thought we were being watched, or saw something somewhere.” He put the card in the tray on his desk. “Don’t forget your glove.”

  I retrieved it and went to tell Kate what I’d learned.

  Outside, I found Kate waiting for me exactly where she’d said she would. “Well?”

  “I found my glove.” I held up the item in question and allowed my eyes to dart towards the nearby park. Kate took the hint, and we wandered over and chose a path that was just crowded enough to be unremarkable, but not so crowded we were worried about being overheard, and I told her everything I had found out from Mr. Grayson. “So now we have an idea of how he gets his blackmail materials. That might give some ideas for where to look for more victims.”

  Kate nodded. “And help shock the information out of them. What are you going to do now?”

  “Bring this to Inspector Wainwright. He’s the one in a position to find out more.”

  “That sounds like the sort of job for one person.”

  I smiled. “Not interested in seeing Inspector Wainwright?”

  “Or being anywhere near Scotland Yard at the moment.”

  We turned our steps towards the street and on to the Underground station, where we parted ways, her back to Mayfair and the shop, me to Scotland Yard.

  I spent the entire trip to Scotland Yard trying to decide how best to explain this new development to Inspector Wainwright. It didn’t really seem to be the sort of thing we ought to be discussing with rooms full of policemen on the other side of the door, but he wasn’t the sort to come willingly to my flat simply because I asked.

  Of course, he would come if Inspector Burrows asked, which was why when I got to the Yard, I wrote a short note, straight to the point: “Found some information. Please ask Insp. W. to call on me at my flat tonight so I can tell him.” After a moment’s consideration, I added, “Do you remember the bookshop in Tours?” I knew Inspector Burrows would understand the reference and that would tell him why I didn’t want to discuss the matter in their offices. I signed the note and addressed it to Inspector Burrows, then went back to Paddington Street to wait.

  ~ * ~ * ~

  I hadn’t expected Inspector Wainwright to hurry over the moment he got my note, so I wasn’t surprised that it was nearly dinner time when he sent his card up. He must have waited until his shift ended to come. I wasn’t sure what to make of that, as it meant he was answering my very polite summons on his own time. I considered it while I sent down the latchkey and made certain the kettle was hot, but hadn’t reached any conclusions by the time I heard his firm rapping on the door.

  “Miss Pengear.” Inspector Wainwright did not look at all pleased to be standing on my doorstep, but he was there.

  “Inspector, please come in. Would you like some tea?”

  He didn’t answer the question, so I went and fixed him a cup while he stared at me. I nodded to the chairs by the fire and brought the tea tray over, so he didn’t much choice but to follow.

  “Are you going to explain this?” He held out the note I had sent Inspector Burrows. “I’m not here to discuss bookshops.”

  I hadn’t expected Inspector Burrows to hand over the entire note, or I wouldn’t have mentioned the bookshop at all. “Have I ever told you about the time I met Robbie Ross?”

  “Miss Pengear...”

  “It was at a bookshop in Tours. I knew Inspector Burrows would get the reference and understand in a general way why I was asking you here instead of dropping by your office. I do have information on the case, and it isn’t something
I thought we ought to be discussing at Scotland Yard. You see, it’s going to require you to ignore something.”

  “I am not in the habit of ignoring crimes.”

  But I did make a habit of ignoring him, so I went on, “I managed to get one of the other blackmail victims to confide in me. He has a gentleman friend. That’s what he’s being blackmailed over.”

  Inspector Wainwright paused with his teacup halfway from the saucer to his lips and stared at me. It hadn’t occurred to me that he didn’t know I’d guessed why it mattered to him that Inspector Burrows wanted us to get along.

  I waited until I was fairly certain Inspector Wainwright wasn’t going to storm out of my flat, then it seemed best to just push forward and let him decide how angry he wanted to be at me later. “So you see, it’s not something I can confide in just anyone, certainly not Inspector Fulson, but it did lead to an interesting theory of how Mr. Purnell got his blackmail materials.”

  Inspector Wainwright didn’t say anything, so I told him everything I could about my meeting with Mr. Grayson except for Mr. Grayson’s name and place of business, so he could honestly deny knowing it if he needed to. “So you see, Mr. Purnell must have been looking for changes in his clients’ habits. Mr. Sinclair would have taken care to look his best before meeting Mrs. Follett. And no doubt Mr. Donovan wanted to look particularly presentable and competent when he went to meet the investors he was planning to swindle. He certainly didn’t inspire confidence this morning. When Mr. Purnell saw a change in habit, he must have followed the client to see where they were going, and if there was anything he could use for blackmail there.”

  Inspector Wainwright put down his teacup. “So he simply walked out of his shop and followed a client in the middle of the day?”

  I was going to be irritated at that comment, but then I realized it meant he’d been listening to my story and taking it seriously, so I considered what he’d said. “I suppose that would be difficult if he had other clients waiting. But he could have had a pre-arranged signal so someone else would follow the client and report back. And that gives us someone else who knows the secrets, and someone else who could be blackmailing them now.”

  “Your source was certain that was a new note?”

  “Yes, but it was slightly off in the wording and the timing; I thought that could be because someone else was behind it.”

  Inspector Wainwright leaned back. “Your urchin.”

  I considered that. I didn’t want it to be Jack, but... “He’s clever enough, certainly, and I’m sure he needs the money. And if it isn’t him, I had the impression that was his corner, which means he would have seen who came out of the shop and probably noticed if someone was following clients on a regular basis.”

  Inspector Wainwright stood and grabbed his hat and gloves. “Then it seems I’ll be speaking to him in the morning. Half-nine, outside of Victoria Station.”

  I stared at him, not quite certain how to take that. “Are you inviting me along?”

  “Do you expect me to speak to every street urchin on the block until I figure out which one is yours?”

  Apparently, he was inviting me to go along. That was a first. I answered quickly, “Of course not, that would be a waste of your time. I’ll see you by the front of the station near the exit from the Underground at nine-thirty then.” I added the last to be certain I had the time and exact place right.

  He nodded and walked out. I gave him long enough to get out of the building, then went downstairs to lock the front door after him.

  Chapter 10

  I WAS AT VICTORIA STATION A GOOD FIFTEEN MINUTES before I was supposed to meet Inspector Wainwright. I didn’t want him to have any reason to be annoyed with me after he’d invited me along. I was not at all surprised to see him arrive at precisely 9:32. He’d probably stepped off of the Underground at nine-thirty on the dot. I waved as he approached. Inspector Wainwright didn’t say anything, but he did slow down as he passed me, so I was able to fall into step beside him, and we walked towards the barber shop. When we were a few paces from the door, Inspector Wainwright stopped. “Well?” It was the first thing he’d said to me. I knew he was asking me to identify the messenger boy, and we stood in silence as I scanned the faces looking for the one I knew. When I spotted Jack, I touched Inspector Wainwright’s arm, then started towards Jack without saying anything. If he didn’t want to make conversation, that was fine with me.

  “Morning, miss. Got some more detective work for me?”

  “Just some questions today. This is Inspector Wainwright.”

  “A real inspector, hmm? That pay well?”

  I could tell Inspector Wainwright was a bit put out at the personal question from the way he went still, but only because I knew him. “Well enough. You know the barber shop there?”

  “Well enough. I was investigating there for her and her friend.”

  “Do you do any work for the proprietor?”

  “You mean deliveries? No, never asks. Sometimes for his clients. Usually when they forgot to send something from their offices on the way here, or snuck out to come here and want me to deliver what they said they were. Those pay best.”

  “I meant following.”

  Jack answered so promptly I knew he wasn’t surprised by the question. “You mean customers? He’s got someone to do that for him already.”

  Inspector Wainwright pulled out his notebook. “So you’ve seen him?”

  Jack leaned in to look at the notebook. “Where do you get one of those?” When Inspector Wainwright didn’t answer, he went on undaunted. “I’ve seen him, plenty of times. More so before than lately, but every so often. He leaves a minute or two after them and follows them right off. Don’t know where, as I’ve never followed him, seeing as it wasn’t any of my business. No money in it for me.”

  “And can you describe this man?”

  “Sure. Looks like the fellow who takes appointments and sweeps up. Probably ’cause it is him, or his twin, can’t be completely certain.”

  Inspector Wainwright noted that down, including the bit about the twin, I noticed, then asked, “When was the last time you saw him following someone?”

  “It’s been at least a week, probably closer to two. Like I said, none of my business, so I don’t pay too much attention. Seems to happen every two or three weeks. Usually someone who’s gotten spruced up a bit. Never takes him more than an hour or two, then he comes back and goes on taking appointments and sweeping up as if nothing had happened.”

  I wondered how much information Jack would have gotten if he had been paying attention.

  “Is he there today?”

  “Don’t know. I haven’t been in.”

  Inspector Wainwright looked at me and raised an eyebrow. I realized he wanted me to look in the shop window and see if Mr. Reed was there. It seemed a simple enough thing to ask, so I went to the window and peered inside. I spotted Mr. Reed easily enough. He was standing beside one of the chairs, shaving a gentleman. I supposed the gentleman would prefer Inspector Wainwright wait until Mr. Reed had finished before he accused Mr. Reed of blackmail and kidnapping, and Mr. Reed was hardly going to run out of his own shop in the middle of a client, so I took my time looking inside before I went back to report.

  “He’s there with a client, shaving it looks like.”

  “Guess you wouldn’t want to disturb him at that,” Jack grinned.

  Inspector Wainwright didn’t respond.

  Jack shrugged. “Well, if you’ll excuse me, miss, there’s one of me regulars. Good luck to you both.” He gave us a jaunty wave and went to see if the businessman coming out of the pub had anything for him.

  Inspector Wainwright turned to the shop door. “We may as well get this over with. I suppose you’re coming along?”

  “As I did come all the way here, I might as well.”

  Inspector Wainwright snorted, although he really must have known he’d be stuck with me until he finished his investigation for the day—or at least until he go
t to the boring paperwork part—and led the way into the shop.

  Inspector Wainwright glanced through the door of the shop, noting where everyone was, then went inside. I followed. Mr. Reed had finished with the client and appeared to be writing up a receipt for the man. “If you will wait one moment... Oh, Inspector, it’s you. Do you have news?”

  Inspector Wainwright avoided the question entirely. “I’d like to speak privately.”

  “Certainly. Just give me one moment to finish here.”

  Inspector Wainwright didn’t answer, but he didn’t move away from the counter he was leaning against either, which meant he could get to the front door with barely two steps should Mr. Reed try to leave. The client finished signing his account and left with a decidedly curious look in our direction. Inspector Wainwright glared at him.

  Mr. Reed gave us his best effort at a smile, but it was forced at best. “Now, how can I assist you?”

  “By giving us the details of Mr. Purnell’s blackmail scheme.” Apparently, Inspector Wainwright was trying to shock the information out of Mr. Reed.

  It seemed to work too. At least, Mr. Reed was rendered completely speechless and stared for a full minute before he made a half-hearted attempt at denial. “I don’t know what you mean...”

  “You must have realized the blackmail was the reason he was abducted. If you had told me about it to begin with, we would have had a better chance at finding Mr. Purnell alive.”

  Mr. Reed came out from behind the counter. He looked ready to say something, but he didn’t seem to know how to answer. “I didn’t... I couldn’t have... But it wouldn’t...”

  So he was torn between guilt at not helping the investigation and a desire to avoid incriminating himself. “It’s not too late to help find him,” I pointed out. “Any information you can give us would help.”

  “I would think you would want the abductors found before they discovered your role in the scheme and came after you.” It seemed Inspector Wainwright was now trying appealing to Mr. Reed’s self-preservation instinct. Not a bad plan either.