Bishop puffed out his chest, highly indignant. ‘I run an honest establishment.’
‘Which is more than can be said for the answers you’ve given the chief inspector,’ Salter growled, leaning across the table and getting into Bishop’s face. ‘I can make life very difficult for you if you mess me about, and don’t you forget it.’
Bishop’s shoulders sagged and he let out a sigh. The fight had gone out of him. ‘I honestly didn’t see much,’ he said. ‘But yeah, my Sal turned pink every time he walked into this place. He knew it of course and made a habit out of flirting with her. Had to have a word with him about leading her on not that long ago.’
‘A good reason to want to see him dead,’ Salter muttered.
‘Aw, come on now, Jack. My Sal’s a pretty lass. If I whacked every cove what came in here and chatted to her I wouldn’t have no customers left.’ Riley nodded to concede the point. ‘I would of had something to say to him if he’d tried to take her outside, but he never went that far. Too busy making money to dabble with the riff-raff.’ Bishop sniffed. ‘Can’t say as I liked him much, but his brass was as good as anyone else’s.’
‘Did John Dawson ever offer your daughter a job, Mr Bishop?’ Riley asked.
Bishop’s puzzled frown appeared genuine. ‘Nuffink I knew of,’ he answered. ‘Not that I’d of let her go walking out of here with the likes of him.’
‘He was seen in here that night talking with a woman. Any idea who she was?’ Riley asked.
‘I noticed her but I ’adn’t never seen her before.’
Salter thumped the top of the table with his fist. ‘You’re starting to get on my wick now,’ he growled. ‘Use what brains God gave you and think about it. If the woman was a stranger, and if she had a hand in Dawson’s death, it’s in the best interests of this establishment for you to tell us what you remember about her.’
‘I thought he’d bin whacked over the ’ead,’ Bishop replied, scratching his own head, as though bewildered by the turn the conversation had taken. ‘A little slip of a thing like that couldn’t of done it.’
‘Dawson, by your own admission, was fond of the ladies,’ Riley pointed out. ‘You had to watch him to make sure he didn’t tempt your daughter outside. Now, if this lady showed willing…’
‘Right, see what you mean.’ Bishop’s face briefly brightened, but then the scowl returned. ‘But I don’t think he would of been tempted. It was crowded in here that night, a lot of noise, but even so, I thought I heard them arguing.’
‘That’s more like it,’ Salter said encouragingly, as though talking to a child. ‘Now, what were they arguing about?’
‘That I don’t know,’ Bishop said, emphatically shaking his head.
‘Can you at least describe the woman?’ Riley asked. ‘You mentioned that she was small.’
‘She were, and she was laying into Dawson good and proper. He looked shocked to see her, as did I, to be honest. She wasn’t the type you’d expect to see in this place.’
‘Why?’ Salter asked.
‘Too well dressed. She had an ’at on, with a little veil that hid her eyes, but I could see that she had a thin face and a sharp nose. She wore good quality clothing an’ all, like she was gentry. But she came in here on ’er own with the specific purpose of cornering Dawson; that much I’m sure about.’
‘Did they leave together?’ Riley asked. ‘Think carefully. It could be vitally important.’
But Bishop refused to be drawn. ‘He were staggering about drunk soon after I saw them speaking, but after that…sorry, I really couldn’t say.’
‘He just described Verity Randall, didn’t he, sir?’ Salter asked, as they left the tavern. ‘I knew she had to be involved.’
‘He did indeed, Jack. Seems that couple were both fully occupied that night. Gideon with his mistress and Verity with bearding her mother-in-law’s paramour in his den. But what I’d very much like to know is how she knew where to find Ezra.’
‘Ah, I see your point. Still, she must have been desperate to come down here alone and confront him.’ Salter looked puzzled. ‘We’re back to the discussion we had earlier about how she got here. She wouldn’t have risked using her own carriage, would she? Besides, Bishop said he didn’t see a carriage waiting outside.’
‘It could have waited for her just up the road and her coachman could have been outside, ready to escort her back to it. Of course, that means she would have had to take her servants into her confidence, and I doubt whether she’d have done that, especially if she came with the intention of killing him. It would be too risky. Even so, we will have someone ask them before we interview her at Scotland Yard.’
‘That’s what I like to—’
‘Pa! What are you doing here at this time of day?’
Salter swung round at the sound of his daughter Maureen’s voice. ‘I could ask you the same question.’
‘Good afternoon, Lord Riley,’ Maureen said, executing an elegant curtsey.
‘Good afternoon, Maureen. How are you enjoying your apprenticeship?’
‘Very much indeed. Madam sent me out on errands so I can’t tarry.’
‘Maureen’s design for a lady’s hat is being included in an exhibition in a few days’ time.’
‘If I can find someone suitable to model it,’ Maureen replied, biting her lip.
‘Where is the exhibition taking place?’ Riley asked.
‘It’s a huge event, and the hats are a very small part of a charitable show with the proceeds going to the homeless. It is being staged in the Alexandra Palace,’ Maureen said
