Riley studied the intense young man’s face for several seconds and then nodded. ‘All right, James, you may go for now,’ he said, ‘but if we find that you are still lying to us, we won’t be so lenient the next time.’
‘I’m not, sir. Upon my life, I’m telling you the truth now. You have to believe me.’
The door had barely closed behind James before it opened again and Ida walked through it.
‘Ah, Riley, they only just told me that you were here again.’ She smiled at them both but the gesture seemed strained. ‘Have you made any progress, or are you simply here to grill my servants?’
‘A little of both,’ Riley replied, returning her smile and gesturing her to a chair. ‘I was told that you were resting and didn’t want to disturb you.’
‘I cannot rest. It’s all so horrible, and if that wasn’t enough, the family are cross with me because I might have caused a scandal.’ She lifted one shoulder. ‘You would think they’d be accustomed to my habits by now.’
‘By all the family, what do you mean, Ida?’
‘Even Philip is annoyed, but I told him that it’s his own fault. If he cannot satisfy my needs then he cannot blame me for looking elsewhere. Sarah, bless her, is as supportive as always, but Gideon and Patrick have joined forces against me. Verity would tell me what she thinks if she dared, but fortunately I never listen to a word she says.’
‘Were you aware that Gregg is related to your husband?’
‘Oh good heavens yes, why else would I keep the dry old stick around?’ She smiled. ‘Philip is very fond of him and, truth to tell, I rather enjoy offending his sensibilities. Well, I did before poor Ezra…’ She paused to compose herself. ‘I miss him most terribly. He was such good fun and very dear to me.’
‘The sporting club that he intended to open. Were you aware that he was in partnership with a man by the name of Reggie Lane?’ Riley asked.
‘I knew he had a partner but I didn’t know his name and I never met him. Who is he?’
‘A rather disreputable character who controls all the illegal gambling south of the river,’ Riley told her.
‘Oh dear, was Ezra getting involved in something against the law? I honestly didn’t know that.’
Riley wasn’t sure that he believed her. It seemed Ezra possessed the ability to talk her into just about anything. Besides, given Ida’s reckless nature, she probably liked the idea of flouting the law. But even if she did, subsequent events meant that it no longer signified. Riley couldn’t accuse her of a crime that hadn’t been committed.
‘Were you aware that Lord Buckingham was also involved in the scheme?’ Riley asked.
‘Yes. I suggested him as a matter of fact. He’d been to see me not long before Ezra mentioned that he required a gentleman to get the upper echelons of society interested in his club. Ezra seemed to think that gentlemen would enjoy what he described as slumming it with the hoi-polloi. I recalled Buckingham’s constant shortage of funds and thought he would be the ideal person.’
‘He was once one of your favourites, I believe.’
‘Oh, in another lifetime, darling.’ A flash of pain passed through her eyes. ‘But that ship has long since sailed.’
‘Perhaps he would like to renew the arrangement?’
‘I expect he would. I tend to be generously inclined towards any gentleman whose company I enjoy.’ She glanced at Salter’s fixed expression and shrugged. ‘Sorry, Sergeant, I’m being as sensitive as I know how to be, just for your sake.’
‘It’s quite all right, ma’am. I won’t swoon, I do assure you.’
‘Goodness, now wouldn’t that be a sight.’
‘Ida!’
‘Sorry, Riley, I tend to gabble when I’m nervous or upset. Now, where were we? Oh, yes, Mark Buckingham. You imagine, I suppose, that he did away with Ezra in a desperate attempt to regain my favour?’
‘The thought had crossed my mind, but then I am paid to be suspicious.’
‘I suppose anything’s possible, but I rather doubt it. He’s tried several times to rekindle the affair, even before Ezra came on the scene, and I made my position plain. I never go back. Besides, he was very enthusiastic about Ezra’s club, convinced he would make a fortune, which he desperately needs, especially since I have grown tired of bailing him out of trouble.’
‘Well then,’ Riley said, standing, ‘we will not detain you any longer, Ida. Be assured that we are doing all we can to get to the bottom of things.’
‘I hope you succeed. Not that it will bring Ezra back, but I expect you’re looking closely at my family and I would like to have the satisfaction of knowing that none of them was quite that wicked.’
Riley smiled and bowed over her outstretched hand. ‘I will let you know as soon as I have any definite news for you.’
‘Thank you, Riley. And good day to you, Sergeant. I do hope that I didn’t embarrass you too severely.’
‘I’ve been through worse, ma’am,’ Salter said, actually smiling too.
‘Come along, Jack,’ Riley said, laughing as he watched his sergeant being charmed out of his curmudgeonly mood by a lady whose conduct offended him. ‘Are you beginning to understand now the effect that Ida has on the men who cross her path?’
‘Not you, sir, nor me, but I’ll admit that her wayward character is compelling, even though it shouldn’t be.’
‘A subject which is best left unexplored for now. Let’s collect Peterson and the others and see what news they have
