Garden of Lies(27)

Ursula smiled, briefly amused.

“I do believe that there is something to be said for keeping one’s opinions to oneself,” she said. “I would have taken considerably more enjoyment from this exhibition if you had not informed me that most of the pieces are fakes.”

Slater gave her a sharp, impatient look. “I didn’t bring you here to study the artifacts.”

“Right.” She moved on to a large urn painted with a number of male and female figures engaged in what appeared to be complicated gymnastic poses. “You said you had matters to discuss.”

Slater joined her in front of the urn. “The first is that I followed Fulbrook to a private club last night. The Olympus.”

“What of it? Most high-ranking men belong to a number of clubs.”

“This one is rather unusual in that there were several women present.”

“Good heavens.” Ursula turned quickly. “How very modern. I have never heard of a gentlemen’s club that admits ladies.”

“I don’t think the Olympus deserves any credit for advancing the cause of women’s rights. The females looked as fashionable and as expensively dressed as ladies at a Society ball but they were all employees of an exclusive brothel known as the Pavilion of Pleasure. The proprietor is a certain Mrs. Wyatt.”

“Oh, I see.” She hesitated, well aware that she should not follow up with the first question that came to mind. But she was unable to resist. “You are acquainted with this brothel and the madam in charge?”

“No. But I intend to make further inquiries.”

“Why?”

She had not intended to put an edge on the question but it came out in a singularly demanding manner. As if she had any right to ask him why he wanted to make further inquiries into an exclusive brothel, she thought. Really, it was none of her concern. Many men patronized brothels. It should come as no surprise to discover that Slater was among that number.

“Because we are investigating Fulbrook,” he said, as if she was not terribly bright. “His membership in the Olympus Club may be important.”

“What makes you say that?” she asked.

“While I was on the grounds of the club last night I had occasion to speak to one of the women who works for the brothel. She calls herself Evangeline.”

Ursula glanced at him very quickly. “What do you mean she calls herself Evangeline?”

“I doubt that’s her real name. She’s a professional courtesan, Ursula. By definition, she is playing a role.”

“Yes, of course, I see what you mean.”

Just as I am playing a role, she thought. I am not the woman you believe me to be. Would Slater care if he knew the truth about her? There was no way to be certain how he would take the news of her past. Most gentlemen would be scandalized, of course. But Slater was different. Nevertheless, to tell him the full story would be to risk the total destruction of their fragile relationship.

She reminded herself that she had a plan to take care of the problem that had arisen during the night.

“Evangeline told me that the club dispenses a drug they call ambrosia to its members. It affects different people in different ways,” Slater continued. “It induces pleasurable fantasies and visions in most of the men but some turn violent under the influence. She said that the newest version of the drug seems to be more powerful. She is convinced that recently one of the women from the Pavilion was murdered by a club man who was using the ambrosia.”

“Good heavens.”

“The women of the Pavilion were told that their colleague—Nicole—jumped off a bridge but they don’t believe it.”

Ursula considered that for a moment. “That is interesting but what does it have to do with Anne’s death?”

“Perhaps nothing. But Fulbrook is a member of the Olympus Club. Presumably he uses the drug. At least one woman who earned her living providing sexual favors for the members of the club is dead in recent weeks. Anne worked in the Fulbrook household and now she is dead. Those facts may be links in a pattern.”

“Anne certainly was not beaten to death. There were no marks on her body. I checked. If she was murdered it was most likely by poison. Perhaps the drug can kill in large doses?”

“It’s possible. Do you think that Fulbrook might have lured her into working as one of the courtesans at the club?”

“No,” Ursula said. “Absolutely not.”

“I mean no disrespect to your friend, but you did say that she possessed a rather adventurous temperament. You indicated that she might have been involved in a romantic liaison.”

“Exactly—a liaison,” Ursula said. “She was not working as a prostitute.”

“How can you be so sure?”

Ursula moved one hand to sweep the issue aside. “Among other things, she lacked the wardrobe for that sort of career.”

That stopped Slater cold.

“Huh,” he said. “Never considered that aspect of the situation.”

“No doubt because you are a man. You said the woman you met last night—Evangeline—and the other prostitutes on the grounds of the club were dressed as fashionable ladies at a ball.”

“Right. I’m no judge of fashion but it was obvious that Evangeline’s gown was expensive. She also had some long gold earrings set with crystals.”