‘I can do without your comments, Sergeant.’
‘I was simply trying to make a point, sir.’
‘Make it elsewhere.’
The curt rebuff reduced Leeming to silence until they reached the betting room. After Tallis had been introduced to Hamilton Fido, they adjourned to the nearby storeroom with the bookmaker.
‘I’d appreciate it if this discussion was brief,’ said Fido. ‘As you know, I’m needed to take bets. My presence is critical.’
‘This is not a discussion, sir,’ said Tallis, ‘but part of a police investigation. I set no time limit on that.’ He nudged Leeming who removed his hat to reveal the bandaging. ‘Yesterday evening the sergeant was clubbed to the ground while in the act of following you.’
Fido feigned surprise. ‘Why should he follow me?’
‘I thought you’d lead me to Kitty Lavender,’ said Leeming.
‘I told you – I’ve no idea where she is.’
‘We didn’t accept your assurance, sir.’
‘In other words,’ said Tallis, resuming control, ‘one of my officers was assaulted while in pursuit of you, Mr Fido. We are bound to suspect that the ruffian involved was in your employ.’
‘I deny that wholeheartedly!’ exclaimed Fido.
‘We had a feeling that you would.’
‘I had no idea that I was being shadowed by Sergeant Leeming and, if I had, I would certainly not have set someone onto him. I’d have stopped and asked him exactly what it was that he wanted. My policy is to assist the guardians of law and order as much as I can.’
‘That statement flies in the face of your reputation.’
‘The only reputation I have,’ said the bookmaker, ‘is for honest dealing. That’s why I’ve lasted so long while others have gone to the wall.’ He studied Leeming’s bandage. ‘I’m very sorry that the sergeant was wounded but I must protest at the allegation that I somehow prompted the attack.’
‘I know that you employ some pugs, sir,’ said Leeming.
‘Only as bodyguards.’
‘We have a good description of the man who hit me. He was big, brawny and had a broken nose. Two or three witnesses said that he looked like an old boxer.’
‘There are plenty of retired boxers roaming the Downs today.’
‘We’re only concerned with one individual,’ said Tallis.
‘Do you have him in custody?’
‘Not yet.’
‘Do you have any idea who he might be?’
‘One of your henchmen, Mr Fido.’
‘You’re welcome to have a list of my employees,’ said the other blithely, ‘so that you can talk to each of them in turn. I can guarantee you will not find the man you are after because he has no connection whatsoever with me. Sergeant Leeming’s injury was caused by a complete stranger.’ He flashed a defiant smile. ‘Will that be all?’
‘No, it will not be all,’ said the superintendent tartly.
‘I’m required elsewhere, Mr Tallis.’
‘You’re required here at the moment, sir. I’m not letting you go until we clear up this nonsense about Miss Kitty Lavender. We must see her immediately. Inspector Colbeck believes that she can throw light on the murder that occurred,’ he continued, ‘and he’s tired of your refusal to bring her forward.’
‘I’ve encouraged her to speak to you.’
‘Yet she remains inaccessible. Part of the blame for that should lie with you, Mr Fido, which means that you are hindering a murder investigation and are therefore liable to arrest.’
‘Your wait is over, Superintendent,’ said Fido, holding up both hands to pacify him. ‘I give you my solemn word on that. Kitty has finally accepted the wisdom of my advice and consented to speak to the police.’
‘Then where is she?’
‘And how do you know she’s changed her mind,’ added Leeming, ‘when you claim to be out of touch with her?’
‘I’ll take those questions in order. Where is she?’ he asked. ‘I don’t rightly know but Kitty is here somewhere and promises faithfully that she will talk to Inspector Colbeck once the Derby is over. How do I know all this? said Fido. ‘I was informed of her change of heart by Marcus Johnson, her half-brother. He, too, is here today.’ He pulled out a gold watch and consulted it. ‘Time races on, gentlemen,’ he noted. ‘May I have your permission to leave?’
‘No,’ said Tallis.
‘You’re preventing the legitimate exercise of my business.’
‘There’s nothing legitimate about bookmaking, sir, so let’s not pretend there is. What I want to know is this, Mr Fido.’ Tallis thrust is face close to him. ‘How will Inspector Colbeck be able to find this woman?’
‘Kitty will come to me after the race to celebrate.’
‘Ah,’ Leeming blurted out. ‘That’s another way of saying that Merry Legs is destined to win. Thank you, Mr Fido. You’ve given me the hint I was after.’ He saw the reproach in the superintendent’s gleaming eyes. ‘Not that I’d ever think of betting on the race, of course,’ he said sheepishly. ‘That would be quite wrong.’
There was only one place where Lord Hendry would be that morning and that is where Robert Colbeck went to find him. The beleaguered owner of Odysseus had called at the stables to see his horse and to be told by the trainer that the acknowledged favourite would win the Derby comfortably. Emotionally and financially, Lord Hendry had invested so much in the race that he dare not even think about the consequences of failure.
Colbeck had seen the portrait of Odysseus and he was thrilled to view him in the flesh as the horse was walked around the yard. The colt looked magnificent. His coat was glistening, his movement fluid and his fitness self-evident. Knowing that his big moment was near, Odysseus pranced eagerly and tossed his head with equine pride. He was ready for action.
‘He looks to be in superb condition,’ remarked Colbeck as he came to stand beside Lord Hendry. ‘You must be delighted.’
‘He’s the best colt I’ve ever owned, Inspector,’ said the other fondly. ‘I bought him as a yearling for two hundred guineas with a Derby contingency of five hundred. Odysseus’s first race was at Goodwood where he won the Ham Stakes. A fortnight later, he won a ?100 Plate at Brighton and never looked back. What you see before you are fifteen hands, two inches of pure magic.’
‘I can see why you wanted to capture him on canvas.’
Lord Hendry gulped. ‘Don’t remind me,’ he said. ‘The loss of that painting was like a knife through the heart. You were right, Inspector.’
‘About what?’
‘I’ve been given the chance to buy it back,’ said the older man, extracting the letter from his pocket. ‘For ?3000.’
Colbeck examined the note. ‘When did you receive this?’
‘Yesterday. It was left at the offices of the Jockey Club for me.’
‘By whom?’
‘Nobody knows – it was slipped under the door.’
‘The thief didn’t waste much time,’ said Colbeck, returning the note. ‘He’ll probably make contact again very soon, Lord Hendry, and tell you where to deliver the money. That’s when you call me in. Our best chance of catching him is when the painting is handed over.’
‘I don’t
‘But you have the appearance of a man who does and that’s all that matters. Besides, your horse is the Derby favourite. You’re seen as a person with excellent prospects.’
‘Whatever happened to them?’ Lord Hendry murmured.
‘When we discussed the matter before,’ recalled Colbeck, ‘you felt that Miss Lavender might be party to the theft. Do you still believe that or have you thought of any other possible suspects?’
‘Kitty Lavender and Hamilton Fido are the obvious ones.’
‘What about the less obvious?’
