‘No, I’ll get Danforth to do it. And Verity’s residence, too. He won’t be known to anyone in either establishment, and he and his extended crop of sons and nephews are proving to be quite adept at this sort of thing.’
Salter grunted, still unwilling to accept that Riley’s predecessor had his uses. ‘Whatever you say, sir.’
‘You get yourself off back to Clapham, Jack, and don’t forget to find out about those missing building supplies.’
‘Will do. And I’ll call on Mrs Wendall with Carter and Soames in the morning and go through her husband’s papers.’ Salter paused. ‘What am I looking for exactly?’
‘Anything to do with Verity.’ Riley slapped Salter’s shoulder. ‘See you tomorrow, Jack. My compliments to Mrs Salter.’
Riley knew which tavern Danforth was to be found in at this time of day, and made his way there in a hansom. His former superior officer sent Riley a jaundiced look and offered him his hand.
‘I had a feeling you might be in need of my services. I heard about the murder of that footman. Bit of a scallywag, so I hear.’
Riley purchased ale for them both and sat across from Danforth. ‘He was intimately involved with his mistress, Lady Ida Randall.’
Danforth took the top off his ale and sniffed. ‘Good a way as any to get yourself killed, I’d imagine. What help do you expect from me? I assume that’s why you’re here.’
‘I need someone to watch Lady Ida’s butler and her daughter-in-law, Verity.’ Danforth didn’t ask why and Riley didn’t explain. ‘Can you manage both assignments and start this evening?’
‘I can.’ Danforth shifted position and winced. Riley pretended not to notice the evidence of his continued need for painful chastisement at the hands of expensive courtesans—an addiction that had cost him his career. Salter didn’t approve and nor could Riley. But he understood a compulsion so strong that it transcended every vestige of common sense, and felt some sympathy for a man whom he had never seen eye to eye with or respected. ‘Our usual terms?’
‘Indeed.’ Riley abandoned his half-drunk ale and stood up. ‘Send word to me at the Yard as soon as you have anything worth imparting. Good afternoon, Danforth.’
Riley had one more call to make before returning home. Mark Buckingham was also a creature of habit and Riley ran him down at White’s.
‘Making any progress?’ Buckingham asked as soon as the two men found a quiet corner in which to converse. ‘Is it too early for me to call and express my condolences to Ida?’
Riley shook his head, smiling in spite of himself. ‘You are incorrigible.’
‘Well, you know how it is, Riley.’ Buckingham spread his hands in an expansive gesture. ‘Us younger sons have to make the most of the opportunities that come our way. No time to observe the conventions or we’re beaten to the spoils.’
‘What can you tell me about Nancy Wendall? And more to the point, why didn’t you tell me about her yourself?’
Buckingham shrugged. ‘Known her since she was a child. Used to pull her pigtails when our family visited hers.’ He chuckled. ‘She’s no longer a freckle-faced irritating child, though. I take it you’ve had the pleasure of making her acquaintance, in which case I’m not telling you something that you didn’t already know.’
‘I have, but I heard about her and Ezra from Reggie Lane, not you.’ Riley paused and took a sip of his wine, watching Buckingham squirm over the rim of his glass. ‘Why did you keep their relationship to yourself? You must have known I would find out about it.’
‘Not sure, to be honest.’ He lifted his shoulders. ‘Even I, jaded old rogue that I’ve turned into, still have some gentlemanly instincts, one supposes.’ He grinned. ‘Who would have guessed it? Life is full of surprises.’
‘Seemingly so. Either that or you have reasons of your own for obstructing a murder investigation.’
Buckingham leaned towards Riley and his expression sobered. A burst of laughter from a nearby table briefly diverted both men, but not for long. ‘Ida makes no bones about the manner in which she takes her pleasures. I admire the fact that she really doesn’t give a damn about society’s views after what I did to her prospects in that area. Anyway, Nancy is the polar opposite. She adored Ezra, found solace in his arms after being ruthlessly bartered off into a loveless marriage. She deserved to be happy and I know for a fact that she would never have harmed Ezra out of some misguided jealousy or need for revenge. She knew about Ida and always had, so it’s hardly likely that she belatedly took exception to the arrangement.’
‘You told me that Ida had initially recommended you to Ezra, but Mrs Wendall claims that responsibility too.’
Buckingham laughed. ‘Nancy told me of Ezra’s plans for the club and asked me if I would lend it my support. It sounded like the sort of opportunity that would benefit me and Nancy knew it, so I didn’t hesitate when she offered to introduce us. Then, blow me if Ida didn’t ask me to provide the same service. She didn’t know about Ezra and Nancy, and I didn’t feel it was up to me to enlighten her.’ He shrugged and rolled his eyes. ‘I ask you; the situations I get myself into.’
‘How well do you know Verity Randall?’
‘Better than I want to.’ He shuddered. ‘She made constant demands upon her brother when he was still alive and has made Nancy’s life even more of a misery since his death. Vile creature! Ida cannot stand the sight of her either. Why? Do you suppose she has anything to do with Ezra’s death? It wouldn’t surprise me if she did. The word vindictive was invented with that woman in mind. She’s contesting her brother’s will, you know.’
