‘James, who Ezra displaced in her affections, will have similar aspirations.’
‘True. Buckingham reckons he was at a family dinner on the night of the murder. We shall have to check it out, but I imagine it’s the truth. He’s too lazy and not nearly clever enough to dream up such a complex murder, and too idle to carry it out. Besides, if Verity Randall was the lady seen speaking with Ezra, as far as I am aware she and Buckingham are not acquainted. Buckingham might be short of funds, but he’s still selective about the company he keeps. Ida is one thing, but I doubt whether he consorts socially with her son’s wife, the daughter of a humble cooper.’
‘God forbid!’
Riley’s three constables joined them at that point, and Salter updated them on developments.
‘Did you go to the Reform Club, Carter?’ Riley asked.
‘I did, sir, and you were right about the porter. He has the memory of an elephant and told me quite categorically that Gideon left no later than eight fifteen that evening. He was absolutely certain because he had the porter hail him a cab and then didn’t bother to thank him, much less give him a shilling for his trouble, as is expected apparently.’
‘Did he hear where Gideon asked to be taken?’ Riley asked, unsurprised when Carter replied in the negative.
‘So where was he for almost three hours before he joined his mistress?’ Salter asked, rubbing his hands together gleefully. ‘No doubt we shall be asking him, sir.’
‘We shall indeed, Jack. This morning we’ll be going back to Portman Square to extract answers from Gregg and James. While we are there, Carter, I want you and Soames to speak with Sir Philip’s coachman. Press him regarding the comings and goings of Sir Philip’s horses on the night in question. I imagine he shares a mews at the back of his house with other buildings in the square. If you feel that Sir Philip’s man isn’t being truthful, speak with the other drivers and get what you can from them.’
‘Will do, sir.’
‘Peterson, I want you in the kitchen. Engage all the servants in idle chatter to see what they have to say about Ezra’s death. I am sure they will all have their opinions. Encourage them to express them. But most importantly, keep James there. Salter and I will speak with Gregg first and when he returns to the kitchen, you are to send James to us. It’s vital that you don’t let Gregg and James speak to one another. If possible, I would prefer for them not to see one another for long enough even to exchange a significant look after Gregg’s interview is over.’
‘Understood, sir,’ Peterson replied.
‘Right, gentlemen, if we all know what we are doing, shall we get to it?’
A short time later, Riley and Salter were admitted to the house by Gregg, who looked incensed by their return.
‘Lady Randall is resting and cannot be disturbed,’ he declared.
‘Just as well it’s you we came to see then, ain’t it?’ Salter said, pushing his way into the house and making a point of thrusting his hat, again dripping with rainwater, into Gregg’s hand.
‘I cannot think why. I have already told you everything I know.’
Riley removed his headgear as well and left it on a side table before leading the way into the room they had previously used for interviews.
‘Come in, Gregg, and close the door,’ Riley said in a tone that saw the butler immediately obey, albeit with obvious reluctance.
Riley took a seat beside the empty fireplace as Salter leaned a shoulder against the wall and noisily turned to a clean page in his notebook. Gregg remained standing, looking a little less sure of himself.
‘How can I be of assistance to you, Chief Inspector?’ he asked.
‘What did you and Ezra argue about on the day before his death?’ Riley asked. ‘And why did you not think to mention the disagreement at the start of our enquiry?’
Gregg straightened a rigidly upright spine, looking highly affronted to have his authority questioned. ‘Ezra was a lazy young man who neglected his duties. It was my place to ensure that he fulfilled the tasks he was paid to carry out so that the rest of the servants weren’t required to do his work as well as their own. Any butler would do the same.’
‘And yet Ezra was heard to shout back at you. I’m puzzled,’ Riley said, frowning. ‘Surely his disrespect was grounds for instant dismissal.’
‘Ordinarily it would have been, and nothing would have given me greater pleasure,’ Gregg replied sullenly, ‘but the mistress would have objected.’
‘And Ezra used her partiality for him to taunt you, did he?’ Salter said belligerently. ‘Threatened your authority by doing more or less as he pleased. That really must have angered you.’
Gregg elevated his chin. ‘We had our differences, I won’t deny it—’
‘Not much point trying, given that you were heard yelling at one another,’ Salter replied, shrugging.
‘Her ladyship would have tired of him and he would have been gone soon enough.’
‘Well, he’s certainly gone now, ain’t he?’ Salter said. ‘And you’re back in charge below stairs. Your absolute control over the household staff is reasserted. You must be pretty pleased with yourself.’
‘I shall not mourn the man’s passing, if that is what you mean to imply, but I most certainly didn’t kill him.’
‘You also neglected to tell us that you are related to Sir Philip,’ Riley said offhandedly.
Gregg’s ramrod straight shoulders slumped momentarily. He puffed out his cheeks, which reddened with indignation. ‘Whatever gave you that idea?’
‘We’ll ask the questions,’ Salter said, ‘and you’ll answer them truthfully, if you can possibly manage that. It’s how being questioned works.’
‘My mother was a housemaid in Sir Philip’s father’s house.’ He cleared his throat. ‘They were in
