‘You are aware that Mrs Wendall’s husband died a few months ago in an accident at his workshop?’
‘Yes. Verity wasn’t exactly heartbroken. You will have seen that she does not garb herself in traditional mourning attire. She said it would be hypocritical to observe that tradition for the six-month prescribed period given that Gordon had treated her in what she described as a shabby fashion. She turned from black to grey half-mourning after just a month.’
‘She didn’t get along with her brother?’ Salter asked.
‘She fought with him over the terms of their father’s will. Gideon told me that she received everything she was entitled to expect when they married and knew it, but she still harboured expectations and considered that she has been cheated when those expectations were not realised. But then Verity is only happy when she feels hard done by and has something to complain about.’
‘Did Verity ever try to extract money from you through exploitation?’
‘Whatever do you mean by that, Riley?’
‘What I ask. Did she threaten you in any way?’
‘Good heavens no, and I would have sent her away with a flea in her ear if she’d tried it. Verity can be very forthright and a lot of people are frightened of her, but I am not one of them and she is well aware of it. Philip knows about my peccadillos and doesn’t mind, so there is nothing she can do about them other than to turn her nose up in disapproval. Besides, she likes Philip and knows he can do a lot to help Gideon’s career. She wouldn’t deliberately embarrass him.’
‘Very well. Thank you, Ida. We shall leave it there for now.’
‘If there’s anything else you need to ask, or anything you have to tell me for that matter, you know where to find me. As it is, I have had quite enough shocks for one day.’
‘Sorry to have been the bearer of unhappy tidings.’
‘Actually, I don’t mind all that much now that I have had time to get accustomed to the idea of sharing Ezra. If he had found true happiness with Nancy Wendall then I am glad for his sake. I just hope it wasn’t the reason for his death. He didn’t deserve to be brutally murdered simply for being a bit of a scoundrel.’
‘We are in agreement on that score.’
‘Does Nancy Wendall know about Ezra and me?’
‘Yes. He told her everything, including the fact that you were financing his business venture.’
‘And she didn’t mind sharing either?’
‘That is a question you will have to ask her.’
Ida waved the suggestion aside. ‘I hardly think so. I am not yet reduced to comparing notes.’ She sighed. ‘Well anyway, at least he had good taste.’
‘Will you be dining at home this evening?’ Riley asked.
‘I will, yes,’ Ida replied, clearly surprised by the question. ‘Philip has no engagements and I have no stomach for society at the present. I’m finding it hard to…well, seem like everything is normal when in actual fact, nothing will ever be the same again. And Philip is being incredibly thoughtful. He knows how upset I am and is doing his best to keep my spirits up, bless him. He’s really very considerate to my needs. We shall have a quiet evening together and I shall endeavour not to be miserable.’
Riley nodded his understanding. ‘Then I wish you a pleasant evening and leave you in the hope that you will find some peace of mind.’
‘Perhaps I should look for a replacement for Ezra,’ she said with a careless little laugh that lacked conviction. ‘They do say that the only thing to do after falling from a horse is to get straight back into the saddle.’
Riley wasn’t sure how to respond, so he merely smiled. He hoped that she hadn’t been hinting at a partiality for him. Even if Riley had not been happily married, he would never be tempted by Ida’s charms.
Ida rang the bell and Gregg materialised to show them out. He handed Riley and Salter their hats when they reached the entrance vestibule.
‘How well do you get along with Mrs Gideon Randall?’ Riley asked him, watching closely for his reaction. All he received in return was a miniscule blink of surprise, but his eyes showed a flicker of fear.
‘I serve all my master’s family with equal devotion,’ he replied pompously.
‘Which ain’t what the chief inspector asked you,’ Salter pointed out in a belligerent tone.
‘Mrs Gideon maintains her dignity,’ Gregg replied stiffly.
And that, Riley knew, was all that he would say on the subject. But it was enough. They had planted the seed.
‘Verity hadn’t told Lady Randall about her rival, had she, sir? Lady Randall told the truth about that.’
‘She did, and I wasn’t surprised. She knew Ida couldn’t be blackmailed, or coerced, or however else we want to word it, into parting with funds in return for Verity’s silence. And she knew that Ida wouldn’t throw Ezra out even if she did learn of his affair with Nancy Wendall, so she chose not to reveal her hand.’
‘Perhaps because her thoughts had turned murderous? An ideal way to revenge herself upon Ezra for ignoring her and not rewarding her financially. She held a grudge against Ida for stealing Ezra from her and then against Nancy Wendall for the same reason, as well as inheriting all of her brother’s estate.’
‘Precisely.’
‘Why did you ask Gregg about Verity?’
‘I hoped to scare him into indiscretion. I want his movements monitored, Jack. He can’t leave here this evening, at least not until he has served at table, which is why I asked if Ida was dining at home.’
