‘I was going to bet on her but I remembered that colts always win the Derby so I’ve gone for Aleppo instead at 12–1. I read in my newspaper that he’s the most likely to upset the favourites in the race. Help me tomorrow and shout for Aleppo.’

‘Whoever I shout for, my voice won’t be heard in that crowd. Oh, I’m so excited, Father. I just can’t wait to get there.’

‘You’ll enjoy every minute of it, Maddy.’

‘It’s such a wonderful present for me.’

‘I’m glad to see that Inspector Colbeck is treating you in the way you deserve. The only time you’ve ever been to Epsom was years ago when you were a baby and your mother and I took you on Derby Day.’ He tapped his chest and chortled. ‘I backed the winner then as well. I bought you a new rattle out of my winnings.’

Madeleine giggled. ‘I won’t need one of those this year,’ she said. ‘According to Robert, Aleppo might be a wise choice.’

‘Why?’

‘The three horses ahead of him in the betting are the ones that have been having trouble. There have been attempts to kill two of them and to bribe the jockey riding the third. Robert says he’ll be grateful if he can get Odysseus, Merry Legs and Limerick Lad to the starting post.’

‘Is he anywhere nearer making an arrest yet?’

‘He thinks so.’

‘I’ve told him before, Maddy – the killer is a jealous husband.’

‘You’re wrong about that, Father,’ she said. ‘The victim was a young Irish groom who was walking out with a barmaid called Bonny Rimmer. They worshipped each other. John Feeny would never have looked at another woman, certainly not at someone’s wife in Crewe.’

‘That’s where the inspector should be continuing his search.’

‘The murder has nothing to do with Crewe. Feeny probably had no idea where the place is. Everything that Robert has discovered so far is connected with the Derby. The answers lie there.’

‘I’ll believe that when I see the proof. But I wish I was going with you tomorrow,’ he said enviously. ‘I’m probably the only person in London who won’t be there.’

‘When will you learn the result?’

‘When I get back to Euston.’

‘How?’

‘Carrier pigeons will bring the result to London and it will be posted up in various places. Next day, I’ll collect my winnings.’

‘From where?’ she asked. ‘I thought the only betting that was allowed was on the course itself.’

Andrews cackled. ‘Some rules are made to be flouted.’

‘Do you mean that that you’ve deliberately broken the law?’

‘I’ve just bent it a little, that’s all – like everyone else.’

‘What will Robert say if he knew that my father was a criminal?’ she teased. ‘If you break a law, it’s his duty to arrest you.’

‘Then he’ll have to arrest thousands of other people as well, Maddy. A stupid law won’t stop us putting money on the Derby. It’s every Englishman’s right to have a bet.’

‘Time to go,’ she said, glancing at the clock on the mantelpiece. ‘I’ll come part of the way with you, Father. I need to go to the market.’

He put a hand to his wallet. ‘Do you have enough money?’

‘Plenty, thank you.’

Madeleine went into the kitchen to collect a large wicker basket then they left the house together and strolled along the street.

‘Who was that woman you mentioned earlier?’ he said.

‘Bonny Rimmer? She was Feeny’s sweetheart.’

‘And you’ve met her?’

‘We went to church together last Sunday.’

‘Is that where you and Inspector Colbeck were?’ he said. ‘When he took you off in that trap, I was bound to wonder. What’s so special about this girl, Maddy?’

‘Robert thinks she’ll help us solve the murder.’

‘What do you think?’

‘I was very hopeful at first,’ she said, ‘but not any more. If she was going to come forward, she’d have done so by now. To be honest, I don’t believe we’ll ever see Bonny Rimmer again.’

As soon as he noticed the two detectives coming into the crowded betting room, Hamilton Fido got up from his table and let his assistant take over. Crossing the room, he gave Robert Colbeck and Victor Leeming a cordial greeting and a warm handshake.

‘You seem in good spirits this morning, sir,’ noted Colbeck.

‘I’m always in good spirits, Inspector,’ said Fido. ‘The Derby gets closer and closer and the money keeps rolling in.’

‘Some of it will have to be repaid.’

‘Not if it’s been wagered on Odysseus or Limerick Lad.’

‘I see that the odds have shifted slightly, sir,’ said Leeming. ‘Your horse is now only 6–1.’

‘Are you tempted, Sergeant?’

‘Very tempted.’

‘But we’re not here to place any bets at the moment,’ said Colbeck briskly. ‘Is there somewhere a little quieter where we might talk to you, Mr Fido?’

‘Of course,’ said the bookmaker. ‘Follow me.’

He took them through a door, along a passageway and into a room that was used for storage. Fido was dressed more ostentatiously than ever and there was even more of a swagger about him.

‘How can I help you, gentlemen?’ he said obligingly.

Colbeck was direct. ‘Tell us how to find Miss Kitty Lavender.’

‘Kitty?’

‘She is the young lady with whom you stayed at the Wyvern Hotel, is she not? There’s no point in prevarication. My information comes from an unimpeachable source.’

‘Lord Hendry, no doubt!’

‘He was as unwilling as you to divulge her name at first, Mr Fido, even though he’d once tried to pass her off as Lady Hendry. The turn of events forced him to change his mind.’

‘What events?’

‘I’ll tell you that in a moment, sir. First, we’d like to know how we can make contact with Miss Lavender.’

‘I’m sorry, Inspector Colbeck,’ said Fido, trying to protect her until she was ready to come forward. ‘I’m not sure where Kitty is.’

‘We assumed that she’d be with you,’ said Leeming.

‘There are no women bookmakers, Sergeant.’

‘Staying with you, Mr Fido.’

‘I forego such delights during Derby Week,’ said the other with a grin. ‘A man in my position can afford no distractions whatsoever at such a busy time, however pleasurable they might be. No matter – I’m consoled by the fact that self-denial is good for the soul but, then,’ he added with a wicked smile, ‘I don’t suppose that you believe we bookmakers have souls, do you?’

‘Let’s talk about Kitty Lavender,’ said Colbeck. ‘It seems highly unlikely that she would want to miss the excitement of Derby Week. Do you happen to know if the young lady is here?’

‘I’ve not set eyes on her, Inspector.’

‘I understood you were on close terms.’

‘By the grace of God, we are.’

‘I’m not sure that God would approve of the attachment, Mr Fido,’ said Leeming, irritated by the glib reference to the Almighty. ‘Your union has not been blessed in His sight.’

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