We spent the next hour, going over the docket that contained the report turned in by the two constables who had discovered Amelia Mainwaring’s body in Hyde Park.
“Constables McElroy and Browne made their usual rounds,” Brodie read from the docket.
“At four o’clock of the afternoon there was the usual carriageway and foot traffic in the park. Then again two hours later with nothing unusual or suspicious noted; a good many people had already left. At a quarter past eight of the evening, on their next pass by, they discovered a young woman sitting on the park bench.”
“Amelia Mainwaring.”
“Aye. They stated that it seemed odd that time of the night, especially considering the way she was dressed, in fine clothes but no coat even though it was quite cold. Not what one usually sees, a woman out by herself that time of the evening unless it’s for another purpose.”
Another purpose— as in prostitution, I thought.
He continued to read the report the constables had turned in after finding her body.
“The young woman made no response when they approached her. Upon speaking with her, it was determined that she was in fact dead. A van was called for and the body was transported to the police holding facility. That was just after ten o’clock of the evening. The report ends there.”
Brodie fanned through additional pages. “There is a statement from the person at the holding facility where the body was received. Upon their observation it was noted that she was young, and identification determined by a card on her person with information then passed to the supervisor of the night.”
“Is that all?” I asked. “The daughter of a person of Sir John’s position is found dead and there is only a brief report?”
“The men are instructed to keep to the facts,” he pointed out. “They’re not encouraged to make any additional statements. That is for the inspector making his investigation. It is noted that the case was turned over to Inspector Mayhew.”
“Do you know him?” It seemed a logical question considering his time with the MP, and even young Mr. Timmons knew of Brodie’s past association.
He closed the file and pushed it across the desk top, obviously frustrated that there was nothing revealed in the report that might provide us with more information.
“It might help to speak with Mr. Mayhew and the two constables who found her body,” I suggested. “Could there be something they might have forgotten to put in the report? Something that didn’t seem unusual at the time? Possibly Mr. Mayhew may have some thoughts in the matter.”
“It’s possible. Things get overlooked in the moment— the usual sort of things a man sees on his watch.” He looked past me to Timmons and our otherguard.
“That could be tricky, since our ‘friend’ is less than accommodating.”
By his comment it was obvious that he spoke of the chief inspector.
“Perhaps Sir Avery can assist,” I commented.
Brodie nodded. “Aye.”
I had my notes, including the names of the two constables who were on the watch along with the name of Inspector Mayhew who had been assigned the case, even though it was obvious that the chief inspector had been informed that Brodie was to be in charge of the investigation. The man really was quite despicable.
We prepared to leave. Brodie handed the docket file to Timmons.
“Ye might want to make certain nothing is missing from the file,” he suggested.
“I trust you, Mr. Brodie,” Timmons replied.
“Inspect it nonetheless, for yer own protection and that of the other man as well.”
“I see your point, sir,” Timmons stammered.
On the street outside the Great Scotland Yard building at Whitehall Place, Brodie summoned a cab.
“Inspector Mayhew?” I asked, knowing how his thoughts worked. “Do you know where he might be found?”
“There are places the men frequent even this time of the day.”
“So speaks a man of experience?” I replied.
“I might find him there and it would be more advantageous to question him away from here,” Brodie replied. He hesitated. “Not the sort of places where ye should go.”
