Madman's Dance (Time Rovers #3)(54)
“Inspector Hulme, during your investigation did you discover anyone else besides the butler who witnessed the prisoner’s arrival or departure from Miss Hallcox’s home on the night of the murder?”
“No.”
“Really? No jarvey or someone on the street, a neighbor perhaps?”
“None.”
“Not even another member of the domestic staff?” Wescomb pressed, raising his voice in surprise.
“No.”
“How remarkable. You would have thought someone would have seen the sergeant, admitted him to the house.”
“None of the servants claim they did.”
“I see. At any time did Chief Inspector Fisher interfere with your investigation?”
“Only in the matter of the coroner. He insisted I summon Dr. Bishop to conduct the post-mortem.”
“Did he state his reasons?”
“No, he did not.”
“Other than a preference for Dr. Bishop, was there any other interference?”
“No.”
“What did Chief Inspector Fisher do when he realized that his sergeant might be involved in this case?”
“He immediately sent a constable to the prisoner’s rooms, but the prisoner wasn’t there.”
“What were you doing while you were awaiting that report?”
“The chief inspector insisted we interview the butler and the other servants, yet again.”
“What did you learn during this second interview?”
“It was at this time that Mr. Landis admitted that he had not seen the prisoner leave the house.”
“Did you smell liquor on Mr. Landis’ breath?”
“Yes. Quite a lot of it, actually.”
Arnett rose. “My lord, certainly it could be argued that he sought the comfort of a stiff one to steady his nerves, given the brutal murder of his mistress.”
“So it may be,” Wescomb conceded graciously. He turned his attention back to the inspector. “I understand a collection of calling cards were found at the scene.”
Hulme’s face went ashen.
“My lord,” Arnett began, issuing Justice Hawkins a concerned look.
“I shall confine my questions to the nature of the cards, not their owners, your lordship,” Wescomb replied.
The justice eyed him. “Ensure that you do so.”
Wescomb returned his attention to the inspector. “The calling cards. Who discovered those?”
“Dr. Reuben Bishop.”
“Where were they found?”
Hulme looked uncomfortable. “They had been hidden in a false bottom of the deceased’s jewelry case. I…did not think to look there.”
“Didn’t you have the maid verify if any of her mistress’ jewelry had gone astray?”
There was a lengthy hesitation. “Ah, no.”
“Why not?” Wescomb challenged. “Certainly you would wish to ascertain if the murder may have been committed during the course of a robbery?”
“I did not think a member of Scotland Yard would resort to petty thievery.”
“And yet he may resort to murder?”
Hulme’s jaw tightened.
Well played!
“Why do you think Miss Hallcox concealed the calling cards? Most of us are proud to display such items if they involved important personages. We even place them in plain view on our mantels so others may see who have visited us.”
“Tread carefully, Lord Wescomb,” Hawkins warned.
“I shall, my lord.”
Hulme ran a finger under his collar. “The lady’s maid said Miss Hallcox collected them from her…admirers,” he replied, directing a worried look to the judge.
Wescomb flipped a page of notes. “Your report states there was a stack of cards. Just how many comprise a stack, Inspector?”
“In this case, forty-six.”
Wescomb appeared shocked, though Keats knew his lordship was already aware of the number. “All men?” Another nod. “It would appear that the deceased was a very social lady, wouldn’t you say?” There were titters in the crowd.
“I guess so.”
“Perhaps any one of those men may have had reason to end her life. Did you interview any of these forty-six potential suspects?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“The butler said he saw the prisoner go up to his mistress’ room. I thought it a waste of effort to interview those who had not been present in the house at the time of the murder.”
“So you based that decision on the butler’s testimony, testimony that changed in the course of two interrogations?” Wescomb asked.
“Yes.”
Wescomb shifted to another paper. “Your report indicates that dates were inscribed on the back of these cards. What do you think those were about?”
“The maid said her mistress made note of when a gent came calling,” Hulme replied.
“I see. Did some of the cards have more than one date?”
“Yes, some did.”
“You state that you found Sergeant Keats’ calling card, but not concealed like the others.” Hulme nodded. “Were there any notations on his card?” his lordship quizzed.