Murder at the Mayfair Hotel (Cleopatra Fox Mysteries #1)- C.J. Archer Page 0,58
the lift to the fourth floor. I hardly heard John as he chatted about the weather. There was just too much to think about. Too much at stake. I needed to be absolutely certain of my theory.
But how?
I stepped out of the lift and saw my uncle about to enter his office. He greeted me warmly.
“How have you settled into the hotel so far, Cleo?”
“Very well, thank you.”
“Flossy and Floyd treating you well?”
“Like a sibling,” I said, meaning it.
“God, I hope not.” He chuckled, but it vanished suddenly. “The death of Mrs. Warrick has dampened the mood here, somewhat. Usually at this time of year everyone’s excited about the New Year’s Eve ball.” He sighed heavily. “Nasty business, and the police aren’t being helpful. The detective refuses to tell me what he’s uncovered so far. Wish he was more like his brother, our Hobart. Good fellow, Hobart.”
I bit my lower lip.
“At least the newspapers haven’t reported any vicious rumors today. Hobart sent Armitage down to the office of that rag, The Evening News, and he threatened legal action on behalf of the hotel. Seems to have done the trick. Can’t have The Mayfair’s good name dragged through the mud, and the Bainbridge name along with it.”
He opened his office door and stepped over the threshold. I stood there, wanting very much to confide in him and yet not wanting to at the same time.
“Is there something else, Cleo? Is it about your allowance?”
“No, it’s not that.” I bit my lip again.
“You’d better tell me or you’ll do yourself some damage.” He smiled as he indicated my lip.
Perhaps there was a compromise, a way of finding out more but not naming names. If he didn’t know about Mr. Armitage’s past, then my theory was viable. If he did know then there was no reason for Mr. Armitage to kill Mrs. Warrick.
“I do have a question for you, as it happens. Would you ever hire someone who’d been arrested in the past?”
“Arrested! Who has been arrested?”
“Nobody. At least, not at the moment. I was simply asking if you’d ever hire someone who had a criminal record. For example, someone who was arrested as a child for theft.”
“Of course not. Can’t have thieves roaming about the hotel with guests’ valuables lying about. Even if they were a reformed character, can you imagine the damage it would do to our reputation if the press got wind of it? I’m sorry, Cleo, if you have a friend in mind for a position here, but I simply can’t take them on.”
“A friend? Oh.”
“Not a friend?” He frowned. “Cleo, what are you trying to tell me?”
I put my hands up and backed away. “Nothing. It was just a silly question.” So much for thinking I could be discreet. “I’m sorry to bother you.”
“Cleo!” Flossy called out.
I was so relieved to be rescued that I almost ran to her. She stood beside her door, arms crossed. “What were you talking to Father about? He looks troubled.”
“Nothing. It was nothing. Are you heading out for a walk?”
“Yes, and then luncheon. Care to join me?”
“Gladly.”
Floyd joined us for luncheon in the dining room. I studiously avoided Mr. Chapman’s gaze the entire time, and that of as many staff as possible. With the turn the investigation had taken, I was glad for some frivolous conversation for a change.
“There’s only three more days to go until the ball, not counting today,” Flossy said after the waiter deposited a bowl of soup in front of her. “You must have made a decision about attending by now, Cleo.”
“I haven’t had time to think,” I said.
“Haven’t had time?” Floyd echoed. “What do you ladies do all day that takes your mind off important things like balls?”
His tone was teasing, but Flossy gave me a serious look. “Yes, Cleo, what else could you possibly have to think about? You don’t know anyone in London except us, so you haven’t got any gossip to mull over. You don’t like to shop, so I know you’re not reading fashion periodicals from the library. What do you do when you’re not with me?”
“Perhaps she likes to improve her mind with books,” Floyd said as he scooped up a spoonful of soup. “Our cousin is a bit of a scholar, you know.”
“Don’t be absurd. She attended lectures and read books in Cambridge because there’s nothing else to do in a university city. Now that she’s in London, there’s so many other, more exciting things available to her.”