Entertaining Death

by Lesley Cookman

  ‘I’m sure it would, but only if I wished to telephone to someone who also had a machine. I seem to remember even Inspector Malkin in Deal hasn’t got one.’

  ‘I believe you’ll find they have now, ‘said Sir Frederick. ‘Both Inspector Colyer and I had a word with the Chief Constable.’

  ‘Very up-to-the-minute, is Freddie,’ said Ivy proudly. ‘Looking into all the latest machines for the farm, he is.’

  ‘The farm?’

  ‘I decided we couldn’t have all that land sitting idle. It used to be farmed, so we’ve got a very good young man and his family living in the old farmhouse, and we’re slowly bringing the land back to life.’ Sir Frederick looked up at his wife. ‘Ivy’s taking a great interest.’

  ‘Goodness, I never knew!’ said Dorinda.

  ‘There, see! If you had a telephone, I could’ve told you all about it, seeing as you never come and see us,’ said Ivy. ‘You ought to, you know. We got some of the sweetest little cows.’

  Dorinda laughed. ‘If I could take a day off, you know I would, but I can’t. We’ve had all this out before.’

  ‘And you did take time off,’ said Ivy. ‘We went to London.’

  ‘They were exceptional circumstances,’ said Dorinda.

  ‘Anyway,’ said Ivy, ‘what do you reckon to this bloke, then? Newspaper? Snooper?’

  ‘I told you in the letter one of the girls suggested he might be a private enquiry agent.’

  ‘Yeah, but working who for? Not those bloody – sorry, Freddie – women?’

  Dorinda, correctly interpreting this statement, nodded. ‘I can’t think of anyone else. I don’t believe he’s a policeman.’

  ‘I don’t know all the facts of the case,’ said Sir Frederick, ‘but if that’s what he is, then there’s someone else who might be interested in Lady Washington.’

  ‘Who?’ asked Dorinda and Ivy together.

  ‘The Earl of Hawksley.’

  ‘Who?’ asked Ivy again.

  ‘Oh! Jeremy Coutts’ father!’ said Dorinda.

  ‘Him! Why?’ asked Ivy.

  ‘Jeremy wants to marry Amy, and the rumour is going round that she killed Sir Harold in order to do so,’ said Dorinda. ‘Think of the scandal in the family.’

  Ivy looked at her husband and gripped his shoulder. ‘We’ve weathered it, haven’t we?’ she said softly.

  ‘But you aren’t – well, you don’t …’ Dorinda came to a halt. Sir Frederick smiled and patted her hand.

  ‘We’ve retired from society, I know what you mean. It means very little to me, as you know, but Hawksley is a different kettle of fish. Takes his seat in the House. He was a member of Bertie’s Marlborough House set at one time.’

  ‘Then he should be used to scandal,’ said Dorinda with some asperity.

  ‘Ah, but there’s no one more upright and moral than a reformed rake,’ said Sir Frederick, with another smile.

  ‘True,’ said Dorinda with a sigh. ‘I think we should be starting the second half, now, so would you like to go back to your seats? Or will you give it a miss?’

  ‘Glory, no!’ said Ivy. ‘We’ve paid for those – we shall use ’em!’

  ‘I don’t know why you pay,’ said Dorinda. ‘It doesn’t make sense, when you own most of the building.’

  ‘We’re paying for your talent – yours and the company’s,’ said Sir Frederick, rising stiffly. ‘Come along, my dear.’

  Dorinda watched them go, checked her face in her fly-blown mirror, adjusted her hat and followed them out to the auditorium.

  At the end of the performance, instead of going backstage as usual, she left through the audience to say goodbye to her guests, and found Maude standing by the office door looking harassed.

  ‘Ivy and Sir Fred are in there, Dolly,’ she whispered, ‘but so’s he.’

  ‘Who?’ asked Dorinda, knowing the answer, as her stomach did a somersault.

  ‘The Inspector,’ said Maude gloomily.

  Dorinda nodded and pushed open the door.

  ‘Don’t get up, Sir Frederick,’ she said. ‘Good evening, Inspector. What can we do for you?’

  Colyer bowed his head in acknowledgement. ‘I came in response to your card, of course.’

  ‘Really?’ Dorinda allowed herself to look surprised. ‘But you sent Constable Fowler to see me because of my card, surely?’

  Ivy’s eyebrows couldn’t go any higher.

  ‘I think, my dear,’ said Sir Frederick, getting to his feet, ‘that we ought to let the Inspector talk to Dorinda.’ Ivy looked reluctant, but nodded and took his arm.

  ‘You let me know how things are going, Dolly,’ she said with a fulminating glare at Colyer. ‘And we’ll get that telephone installed soon as we can, eh, Freddie?’

  ‘Telephone?’ said Colyer, when Maude had seen the guests out of the front door.

  ‘Sir Frederick wants to install one here. He’s a convert since Ivy persuaded him to have one at Anderson Place.’

  ‘And at Deal police station, too, I believe,’ said Colyer, indicating that she should sit.

  ‘So he told me.’ Dorinda sat and watched him take the seat opposite. ‘What was so important that you came down here this evening?’

  ‘Not very good news, I’m afraid.’

  ‘Oh?’ prompted Dorinda after a moment.

  Colyer raised his dark brown eyes to meet hers. ‘It appears that Sir Harold did not meet a natural death.’

  ‘What?’ Dorinda gasped. ‘But how do you know? You said yourself there wouldn’t be anything of his body …’

  ‘I can’t tell you that, Miss Alexander. But I shall wish to speak to Lady Washington and her maid. Tomorrow perhaps, at her hotel.’

  ‘And you want me to warn her?’

  ‘No, I would rather you didn’t.’

  ‘But,’ said Dorinda, exasperated, ‘they will all know you’re here, now. What will I tell them?’

  ‘The other reason for my visit. Your importunate gentleman.’

  ‘My –? Oh, I see. I definitely would not call him a gentleman.’

  ‘No, neither would I. You see, although I believe you asked him not to, the excellent Constable Fowler telegraphed your description to me, and I was able to catch a train just in time.’

  ‘In time for what?’

  ‘To see you after your evening performance.’

  ‘Oh.’ Dorinda was puzzled. ‘Why?’

  ‘Your description fits an individual we have come across before.’

  ‘Oh,’ said Dorinda again. ‘Is he dangerous?’

  ‘In a way. Tell me exactly what was said on both occasions.’

  Dorinda repeated the story once again, including the possibility that the man was the intruder.

  ‘And the description again.’

  ‘Not very tall, yellowish face – and teeth – wispy hair underneath a greasy-looking hat.’ Dorinda wrinkled her nose. ‘And he smelt.’

  ‘It could fit any number of people of interest,’ said Colyer with a grim smile, ‘but in this case …’

  ‘In this case what?’ Dorinda was getting annoyed at being questioned and learning nothing.

  ‘There are individuals who are employed to find things out,’ said Colyer.

  ‘Like a private enquiry agent?’

  ‘In a way, but these are usually things that neither the employer nor the person being investigated would like to be known.’

  ‘For – for blackmail?’

  ‘Possibly.’

  Dorinda thought for a moment, then shook her head. ‘He was asking questions about Amy. He described her. If he knew who she was, what exactly did he want to know? That’s why we thought perhaps it was for a newspaper. A story about Lady Washington going back on the stage incognito, and for what reason. Doesn’t that make sense?’

  ‘It does, but it also makes sense that he wanted to make sure it was her, to report on her whereabouts.’

  ‘That’s what she was afraid of when she first came here,’ said Dorinda. ‘You haven’t told me who
this individual is.’

  ‘As I said it could one of several, but it sounds to me as if it is someone called Eugene Tybalt.’

  ‘Eugene Tybalt?’ Dorinda laughed. ‘That can’t be true!’

  Colyer gave a reluctant smile. ‘He was christened Albert Jenkins. Under which name he was well known in the Shoreditch and Hackney areas.’

  ‘And you believe he’s dangerous? He was unpleasant, but I wouldn’t have said …’

  ‘There are different sorts of dangerous, Miss Alexander.’

  Dorinda looked into the dark brown eyes and silently agreed.

  ‘What do you think he might do?’ she asked.

  ‘He’ll keep trying. I took the liberty of warning the Mansion House that there might be an attempt on Lady Washington’s rooms. Unfortunately that also meant they now know her full identity.’

  ‘So another possible leak of information?’

  ‘Possible, but it was unavoidable. Gossip among the staff of a large hotel is inevitable.’

  ‘Is this all to do with Sir Harold’s death?’ Dorinda asked after a short silence.

  ‘I believe so, although I’m not at all sure of the exact circumstances.’

  ‘Or who Eugene Tybalt, if it is he, is working for.’

  ‘No, Miss Alexander.’ Colyer stood up. ‘I just wanted you to know that we are taking this seriously and to make sure the building is locked securely every time you leave it.’

  ‘I do, Inspector.’

  ‘You didn’t this morning.’

  ‘But there were other people here … oh, I see. If the front of house is unattended we must lock the doors. What about during performances?’

  ‘I thought the estimable Mrs Beddowes stood guard in the foyer during performances.’

  ‘Yes, she does, but she sometimes slips in to watch,’ said Dorinda reluctantly.

  ‘Then ask her to lock the outer doors.’ He smiled down at her. ‘I hope for everybody’s sake you have no more trouble here.’

  What did he mean, ‘for everybody’s sake’, wondered Dorinda as she escorted him to the door and locked it behind him.

  Chapter Eleven

  ‘What did he want?’ Aramantha, at her most strident, demanded from behind her.

  ‘He thinks he knows who the man who questioned Patsy, Betty and me was,’ said Dorinda, following instructions.

  ‘So why did he have to come down to tell us?’ Aramantha followed her back through the auditorium.

  ‘Let me tell everyone at once, Aramantha,’ said Dorinda, suddenly feeling very tired.

  Backstage, she called the company from their dressing rooms and told them all what Jack Colyer had said.

  ‘So stay together, especially the girls,’ she concluded ‘and don’t talk about The Alexandria to anyone, unless it’s to tell them what a wonderful show we put on.’

  There was a dutiful chuckle.

  ‘But what about me?’ asked Amy suddenly. ‘That’s what it’s all about, isn’t it? I’ve put you all in danger.’ She shivered violently and Mariah moved to put an arm round her shoulders.

  ‘I honestly don’t think this individual is dangerous,’ said Dorinda, crossing her fingers behind her back. ‘I think somebody just wants to know where you are. I think it’s much more likely to be for a newspaper than anything else. Now, it’s time we all went home, and don’t forget, the front doors will be locked most of the time in future, so you’ll have to knock.’

  Maude followed her back to the foyer, where she let the company out, two by two, and locked the doors behind them. Dorinda joined her, back in her flannel skirt and white blouse, and Will arrived saying he had checked the back of the building, which, although it had no doors, had two small windows.

  ‘Do you really think that’s the reason the Inspector came down to talk to you, Dolly?’ asked Will, as Dorinda locked the front doors behind them.

  ‘That’s what he said,’ Dorinda said uneasily.

  ‘And what he told you to say.’ Maude raised an interrogative eyebrow.

  Dorinda nodded.

  ‘What else then?’ asked Will.

  Dorinda sighed and gave in.

  ‘He wants to question Amy and Mariah tomorrow. Apparently they now think Sir Harold was murdered after all.’

  Maude stopped dead at the top of the slope.

  ‘Never! And they think Amy did it?’

  ‘He didn’t say that, but obviously the police have to look into it. No, what I’m bothered about is why this Eugene Tybalt is trying to find out about Amy. Inspector Colyer doesn’t think it’s for a newspaper.’

  ‘And he’s obviously a criminal,’ said Will.

  ‘It looks like it,’ agreed Dorinda. ‘Sir Frederick did come up with a name, though, for someone who might want to find something out about Amy.’

  ‘Do you mean those women – Sir Harold’s daughters?’ said Maude.

  ‘No – the Earl of Hawksley, Jeremy Coutts’ father.’

  ‘O’ course!’ said Maude. ‘Makes sense.’

  ‘It does, doesn’t it? But unnecessary, if Amy really doesn’t want to marry him.’

  ‘You haven’t told us why they think Sir Harold was murdered,’ said Will, as they turned into the street where they lodged.

  ‘The Inspector wouldn’t tell me, but I think it’s very odd. You don’t think someone’s employed Tybalt to plant evidence on Amy to make her look guilty, do you?’

  ‘What could he plant?’ said Will. ‘A letter saying that she did it?’

  ‘Oh, I don’t know,’ said Dorinda. ‘I haven’t understood anything since Amy first arrived.’

  ‘You don’t think,’ said Maude, watching Will unlock the door of their lodging, ‘that it really was just because she was tired of the gossip and wanted to be back amongst her own?’

  ‘I don’t know. It sounds too simple somehow.’ Dorinda shook her head and followed Maude inside.

  The following morning Dorinda viewed the overcast sky thoughtfully. Either their audience would increase if there was the threat of rain, or people would stay away altogether. At least it was better than the previous pitch out in the open.

  By midday, when Amy and Mariah still hadn’t put in an appearance, she was getting worried. Not that the performance was due to begin until half past two, but everyone was usually in the building by now. Just when she had decided to go to the Mansion House to see what was going on, she heard an imperious knocking. She went to the door of her office just as Maude opened the front door.

  ‘Why is this door locked? I thought this was a public building?’ the heavily veiled woman who stepped through the door demanded.

  Dorinda, bristling, stepped forward. ‘It is privately owned and not open to the public at the moment. There will be a performance at half past two this afternoon.’

  ‘Not if I have anything to do with it,’ said a second woman viciously, her small eyes snapping at Dorinda out of her sharp face.

  Lady Juliana and Lady Violet, though Dorinda. Let’s see how far they go.

  ‘I beg your pardon?’ she said aloud, ice coating her voice. In the doorway to the auditorium she saw her company gathering.

  ‘You won’t be doing anything today,’ said the first woman. ‘You are harbouring a criminal.’

  ‘Really?’ Dorinda’s eyebrows rose. ‘Here are my company. Which of them do you accuse?’

  Both women swung round and gaped at the interested spectators. The sharp-faced woman was the first to recover.

  ‘Where is she hiding, my good woman? And why should we talk to you? Who is in charge here?’

  ‘I am.’ Dorinda crossed her arms in front of her and prepared to do battle.

  The sharp woman tutted and made a face. ‘You know perfectly well what I mean.Who is the owner?’

  Aware of grins and a titter from the company, once again, Dorinda said, ‘I am.’

  She could see the face under the veil becoming alarmingly red.

  ‘Don’t be ridiculous.’

  At this, Ted stepped forw
ard. ‘I can assure you, madam, that Miss Alexander is the owner of The Alexandria and the director of this company.’

  Veiled-face didn’t even look at him. ‘Don’t be impertinent,’ she said.

  Sharp-face put a hand on her arm. ‘I think we should discuss this in private, Juliana.’

  ‘Very well.’ Juliana turned to Dorinda. ‘Dismiss your staff.’

  There was a concerted gasp so loud that the two visitors looked positively alarmed and for a moment, worried.

  ‘No,’ said Dorinda.

  ‘Are you refusing to do what you’re told?’ said Juliana, almost in a screech.

  ‘If I knew who was telling me, and why, and whether they had the right to tell me what to do,’ said Dorinda pleasantly, ‘I might consider it. However, I have no idea who you are, and as far as I am concerned, you have no right to tell either me or the members of my company what to do.’

  Apart from a certain amount of stuttering, the sisters appeared to have no answer to this, and remained silent. Dorinda, with a sigh, stepped aside. ‘Perhaps you would like to come into my office and explain to me exactly what this is really about.’

  She went back and resumed her seat behind her desk,leaving her visitors to follow. Maude closed the door behind them.

  Juliana took the only seat and after a look round for another, Violet stood behind her. Reminded inexorably of a posed photograph, Dorinda had to bite back a smile.

  ‘So, ladies. What is it you want?’

  ‘Our – my father’s … widow.’ Violet had trouble with the word, but managed it eventually. ‘We know she’s here.’

  ‘Really? And she’s a criminal?’

  Juliana’s face was becoming red beneath the veil again. ‘We know she is even if the police don’t.’

  ‘Ah.’ Dorinda sat back in her chair and clasped her hands on her lap. ‘So this is a private pursuit, is it?’

  ‘I don’t think you understand your position, young woman,’ said Violet.

  ‘No,’ interrupted Dorinda. ‘I don’t think you understand yours. You have come in here, onto private property, demanding to see someone you think is here. Why, if she was here, would I produce her? And for what purpose? What did you intend to do with her?’

  Violet opened her mouth, then shut it again.

  ‘In order that there are no misunderstandings, I think you had better tell me your names,’ Dorinda continued.