Murder at the Mayfair Hotel (Cleopatra Fox Mysteries #1)- C.J. Archer Page 0,38

about Danny.”

Harmony and I parted ways outside my suite. I headed downstairs while she went to clean Floyd’s room. John the lift operator was in a good mood as he repeated what I already knew about Danny’s release.

As I passed Goliath in the foyer, pushing a trolley laden with trunks towards the door, he whispered, “Did you hear? Danny’s free.”

I caught Peter’s eye as he stood behind the counter, attending to a guest. He nodded and gave me a fleeting smile. The staff were certainly in a buoyant mood this morning. It didn’t seem to cross any of their minds that one of them could be arrested next.

I wasn’t sure who I hoped to find, only that I wanted to speak to someone more knowledgeable than Harmony. I’d considered talking to my uncle, but to be perfectly honest, I wished to avoid my uncle and aunt as much as possible. With him so busy, and her keeping to her room, it wouldn’t be difficult.

Or so I thought. The last person I expected to bump into was Uncle Ronald as he emerged from Mr. Hobart’s office.

“Cleo!” he said, sounding as surprised as I felt. “What are you doing here?”

“I wanted to ask Mr. Hobart something. Something about the hotel.”

“What is it? I can probably answer. I do know quite a bit about my hotel.”

“Er, yes. But this is about the ball.”

He drew in a breath. “The ball,” he muttered. “If it goes ahead, then you’re right to ask Mr. Hobart. He’s making all the arrangements.”

“Do you think it will be canceled because of the murder?”

“I’m hoping not, but it will require many telephone calls to friends and invited guests, reassuring them it’s quite safe.” He sighed heavily. “The police released the footman. While I’m pleased we haven’t hired a murderer, if the real culprit isn’t arrested soon, the ball will be in jeopardy. Perhaps even the hotel itself.”

Was the hotel so financially unstable that a shake of its reputation could bring it down?

“I’m sure the murderer will be found soon,” I assured him.

“Does your interest in the ball mean you’ll be attending if it goes ahead? Flossy will be pleased.”

“I’m still undecided,” I said. “I hoped Aunt Lilian could guide me.”

His thick moustache settled into a frown. “It’s best not to trouble your aunt today,” he muttered. “If you’ll excuse me, I have a lot of work to do.”

He headed off through the foyer. I knocked on Mr. Hobart’s door and entered upon his word.

“I hope I’m not disturbing you,” I said.

“Not at all.” He indicated a chair opposite his desk. “How may I help you?”

There was no subtle way of getting answers to my questions so I decided to be direct. “I have a terribly curious nature,” I began. “I hoped you would satisfy my curiosity about Danny’s release.”

He removed his spectacles and folded the arms with slow, precise movements. “Murder is not the sort of subject that should interest a young lady,” he said carefully.

“I am not an ordinary young lady.”

That brought a smile to his face, one that seemed unguarded. It was the first time I’d seen a chink in his professional armor.

Still, he required more encouragement. “I’m used to having my mind engaged, you see. In Cambridge, I would attend lectures at the university, and I belonged to several societies where members would discuss the latest theories on all sorts of matters. Moving here has cut me off from all my former activities.”

“You’re bored. Is that what you’re saying, Miss Fox?”

“I suppose I am.” It wasn’t far from the truth. Since arriving in London, my days had been occupied with learning about my new home and the murder. Once it was solved, I would need something else to do.

“There are societies in London that you can join. Harry will give you a list, if you like.”

“He knows which societies accept women?”

There was that smile again. “He will find out for you.”

“That’s very kind, but I’m sure Mr. Armitage has a great deal of work at the moment, with preparing for the ball. Uncle Ronald says it’s still going ahead.”

Mr. Hobart picked up his spectacles. “We’re proceeding as if it is.”

“So, may I ask you some questions about the murder?”

“What makes you think I know anything?”

“I suspect your brother confides in you.”

“Don’t be so certain. At this point, I’m probably a suspect too.” He smiled as he put on his glasses. “Very well. Go on, Miss Fox, I’ll see if I can answer your questions. We can’t have