‘What did he tell you about this man?’
‘Very little.’
‘Was he young or old, tall or short? How did he dress?’
‘John said he was well dressed,’ she recalled. ‘He wasn’t old but I’ve no idea how tall he was. The man had money. He gave some to John and told him there’d be a lot more when they met to have a long talk about Mr Dowd’s stables.’ She pulled the sleeve of her dress back to expose a delicate silver bangle. ‘John used the money to buy this for me. Then he went off to meet this man in London.’
‘Did he say where the meeting was to take place?’
‘No, Miss Andrews,’ said Bonny, brightening for a moment, ‘but he promised to buy me another present when he got the rest of the money.’ Her face clouded. ‘I never saw John alive again.’
Surprised to receive the summons, Marcus Johnson responded to it at once. He went to the house to see Kitty Lavender, kissing her on the cheek when they met. She let him into her drawing room and shut the door. Putting his hat down, he beamed at her.
‘Three meetings in a week,’ he said. ‘This is a treat. We rarely see each other more than three times in a year.’
‘I wanted your advice, Marcus.’
‘I’m always ready to give that, bidden or unbidden.’
‘Sit down,’ invited Kitty, taking a seat well away from him. ‘And thank you for coming so promptly.’
‘I hoped you might have gleaned some information for me,’ he said, settling into his chair. ‘That’s why I rushed here. Any warm hints from Hamilton?’
‘He still believes that Merry Legs will win.’
‘I want to know why. When I met him at Epsom yesterday, he’d tell me nothing. It was like trying to get blood from a stone. However,’ he went on, sensing her concern, ‘you obviously don’t want to hear any more about the Derby. What’s this about advice?’
‘Do you remember my telling you about that missing hatbox?’
‘Yes – it was stolen from some hotel or other, wasn’t it?’
‘The police wish to speak to me about it.’
‘How do you know?’
‘Because that’s what Inspector Colbeck said both to Hamilton and to Lord Hendry. Somehow he found out that I was connected with both of them and tried to get my name from them.’
‘I hope they had the decency to refuse,’ said Johnson sharply. ‘I’d certainly have done so in their position.’
‘They didn’t give me away, Marcus.’
‘Good for them! You’re an innocent party here, Kitty. You don’t want your name entangled in a murder investigation. If it got into the papers, it could be very embarrassing for you.’
‘That’s my fear. I’m worried.’
‘About what?’
‘Inspector Colbeck,’ she said. ‘Lord Hendry came here to warn me that he was looking for me and Hamilton actually urged me to go to Scotland Yard.’
‘Why did he do that?’
‘When he was questioned by Inspector Colbeck, he refused to give my name. That could be seen as withholding evidence. On the eve of Derby Week, the worst thing for Hamilton is to get embroiled with the police.’
Johnson laughed. ‘He’s spent most of his life getting embroiled with the police, Kitty. That’s why I like him so much – he outwits them at every turn. I wish I had his effrontery.’
‘What would you advise me to do?’
‘Stay in the shadows and say nothing.’
‘Even if this detective is looking for me?’
‘Forget about Inspector Colbeck,’ he said expansively. ‘He’s no threat to you. As it happens, I met the fellow myself only yesterday when I was chatting to Hamilton at the racecourse. He didn’t impress me, Kitty. He’s like all policeman – plodding and slow-witted. If neither Hamilton nor Lord Hendry surrenders your name, Colbeck would never be able to identify you.’
‘Yet he knows I befriended both of them.’
‘That’s all he knows and all he will know. What purpose can be served by questioning you?’ he asked with a grin. ‘Unless he wants you to discuss their respective merits in the boudoir, that is.’
‘Don’t be unseemly, Marcus.’
‘I’m only trying to look at the situation through your eyes. If you were able to help the police solve this horrendous murder, then I’d take you to Scotland Yard myself. But that’s not the position you’re in. As far as I know, you can’t shed any light on the crime.’
‘None at all,’ she said plaintively. ‘What I want to avoid at all costs is facing Inspector Colbeck and enduring his disapproval at the way I choose to live.’
Johnson guffawed. ‘If he disapproved of
‘There’s nothing useful I can tell the police.’
‘Then steer clear of them.’
‘What about Hamilton?’ she said, still worrying. ‘Unless I go to Scotland Yard, they may harass him again.’
‘He can run rings around a man like Inspector Colbeck.’
‘What if the inspector sees the two of us together at the Derby?’
‘Make sure that he doesn’t, Kitty. Exercise discretion – you’re an expert at that. My feeling is this,’ he went on, rising to his feet. ‘The only time we should get involved with the police is when we are in danger. Otherwise, the less the Inspector Colbecks of this world know about us, the better.’ He flashed her a smile. ‘Have I answered your question, Kitty?’
‘Yes, Marcus,’ she said. ‘You’ve put my mind at rest.’
‘Then I’d like you to do the same for me.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘I want you to tell me why you behaved so oddly when I arrived,’ he said. ‘Why you only offered one cheek for me to kiss and why you sat just as far away from me as you could. I’d also like to know why you’re wearing so much powder on your face today. What’s wrong?’
‘Nothing – nothing at all.’
‘I don’t believe you, Kitty.’
‘I’m fine, I tell you.’
‘That’s not the feeling I get,’ he said, crossing over to her and pushing back the hair from one temple to reveal a bruise that was only half-hidden by cosmetics. He was shocked. ‘Who did this to you?’
‘Nobody – I slipped and fell.’
‘You’re far too sure-footed for that.’
‘It was a stupid accident,’ she said with a shrill laugh.
‘You’re lying to me, Kitty. I think somebody hit you.’
‘No!’
‘Was it Hamilton?’ he asked, letting the hair fall back over the bruise. ‘If he’s been knocking you about, he’ll suffer for it. Tell me the truth – was it him?’
‘No, Marcus.’
‘Do you swear that?’
‘Yes – Hamilton is considerate. He’d never lay a finger on me.’
‘Then who was responsible?’
‘It was my own fault, I tell you.’
‘But I don’t believe you,’ he said, trying to contain his anger. ‘Somebody else gave you that bruise or you wouldn’t be so eager to disguise it from me. Who was it, Kitty? I insist on being told.’
