‘I barely can,’ Riley replied, smiling at the girl.
‘Maureen’s design is one of only two chosen from dozens submitted for her employer’s consideration,’ Salter said, clearly bursting with paternal pride.
‘But I have no one of note to model it,’ Maureen repeated, pouting. ‘So I don’t suppose anyone will notice my efforts.’
‘I shall see what I can do for you,’ Riley promised.
‘Will you, Lord Riley?’ Maureen brightened considerably. ‘That’s so very kind of you.’
‘On your way now, lass,’ Salter said gruffly. ‘You don’t want to be in trouble with madam for being too long.’
She agreed that she did not and rushed off.
‘That was a kind offer, sir,’ Salter said, ‘but you shouldn’t be putting yourself out.’
‘Not in the least. It sounds like something right up my niece’s street. Cabbage would be the ideal person to help your daughter out, and I know that she would love the attention.’
‘Lady Sophia?’ Salter looked astounded. ‘Blimey,’ he said, ‘that would do it.’
Chapter Six
Riley and Salter arrived at Scotland Yard at the same time as the three constables. Riley updated them on their discoveries in Clapham, and when they learned of Verity’s presence in the taproom they exchanged satisfied looks, ready to believe that the case had been solved in record time.
‘Verity Randall must have done it, sir,’ Carter said.
‘Not alone, she didn’t,’ Riley replied. ‘I’m able to believe that she was involved in the plot to do away with Ezra and that she knew it had to happen well away from Portman Square. If he met with an accident there, suspicion would fall on the family the moment we discovered that he was intimately involved with his mistress. Lady Randall’s children are familiar with her openness about her affairs, and they’d have known she wouldn’t keep it under wraps. Verity didn’t approve of Lady Randall’s behaviour and believed that her relationship with a footman could blight her husband’s career if it became public knowledge. Or perhaps she got wind of the fact that she’d promised to invest a large amount in Ezra’s sporting club, depriving Verity of part of what she looks upon as her husband’s inheritance.’
‘But why Clapham, sir?’ Peterson asked.
‘Because that’s where Ezra was from,’ Salter replied. ‘Perhaps Verity somehow arranged for a message to be sent to Ezra to say that his mother was ill. We haven’t discovered any other reason for his rushing off the way he did, but we know he was very fond of his Ma and would have gone right away if he thought he was needed.’
‘And finding nothing wrong with her, his natural next step would be the tavern,’ Soames added, nodding.
‘Precisely,’ Riley said. ‘If we’re right then it was a bold move, and Verity could not have carried it out alone. She must have paid someone to watch Ezra when he went to Clapham so that she could familiarise herself with his habits. Such is her ambition for Gideon that she’s prepared to do whatever it takes to keep his name free from scandal. Goodness only knows what she would do if she were to find out about Gideon’s paramour. Anyway, that’s irrelevant as far as our investigation is concerned. Returning to the murder, I remain to be convinced that she bashed the man over the head herself in a dark alleyway in a part of town that was strange to her.’
‘She’d ’ave had help,’ Peterson said.
‘Very possibly,’ Riley agreed, ‘but don’t lose sight of the fact that Sam might have killed his brother. He resented his popularity and his willingness to flout the law in order to make easy money while Sam and Paul laboured away laying bricks for paltry reward. Add in the fact that Ezra tried to persuade Sam’s wife to work for him in this club of his—’
‘Ruth insists her husband didn’t know,’ Salter pointed out.
‘But we cannot afford to ignore the possibility that he might have found out. He’s a big man and I suspect that few things scare him. Even so, he wasn’t afraid to admit that Reggie Lane, the kingpin of illegal gambling south of the river, was a man to treat with respect. Or better yet avoid altogether. He most definitely wouldn’t want his wife involved in his business.’
All heads nodded in agreement.
‘How did you get on checking alibis, gentlemen?’
‘Mr and Mrs Heston were where they said they were, sir,’ Peterson replied. ‘I spoke with the theatre manager. He remembers them quite clearly. He says Mrs Heston is difficult to overlook.’
Riley smiled. ‘Without question.’
‘The party of six went on to the Savoy and didn’t leave until gone eleven. They couldn’t have done it, sir.’
‘Fair enough. Good work, Peterson.’
‘Mrs Steel confirms that Gideon Randall was with her—but, get this, he didn’t arrive until gone midnight and he only stayed an hour,’ Soames said.
‘Well, that ain’t what he told us,’ Salter growled. ‘He said he dined at his club, went to see his lady friend and was at home by eleven. Why the devil can’t anyone tell us the truth?’
‘He and his wife both have questions to answer,’ Riley said.
‘Perhaps they did it together, sir,’ Carter suggested.
‘Highly possible, but for the fact that we’re fairly sure it was Verity who went into the taproom,’ Riley pointed out.
‘Maybe she did that so she could drug his drink. He wouldn’t have suspected her of going there to give him anything more than a tongue-lashing. Gideon wouldn’t have wanted to get into a fist fight with Ezra, so he had to be incapacitated,’ Salter said. ‘Even drunk, he would likely have overpowered Gideon. Ezra grew up on the streets and knew how to handle himself.’
‘We will speak with them both in due course,’ Riley said. ‘Did any of you manage to track
