However, here in Brussels, I felt like a fish out of water, cut off from my usual resources and in a situation that had become far more than just murder.
There were now two murders to be precise, along with the information Alex and Munro had brought from London—that Sir Collingwood might very well have been involved in passing information regarding new military developments on to foreign characters.
But there were far too many unknowns. For what reason would he pass highly secret information onto to those foreign characters? What part did Angeline Cotillard play in this? Lover? Foreign agent, as Alex Sinclair had called her?
What of a man named Szábo, and Sebastian Bruhl? They lived in the shadows, Szábo associated in the past with anarchist groups. As for Bruhl? Virtually nothing was known beyond the information that Sir Avery had provided.
There had to be more. As Brodie had once said, even rats who lived in the shadows emerged from time to time. It was just a matter of knowing when, and then trapping the rat when it came out of those shadows.
Easier said than done, I thought.
“Wot are ye thinkin’ now?”
“It could be helpful to see if there is other information about either Szábo or Bruhl that might be useful,” I pointed out before he could point out that Sir Avery had access to more information than anyone else, perhaps in all of Britain.
“Lucy Penworth has been an incredible help in the past.” I reminded him of Alex’s fiancée. “She is intelligent and resourceful, and quite daring.”
“She is also employed by the Agency.”
I knew his meaning.
“This would be information the Agency might not think important—a rumor, reported sightings, gossip about a mistress perhaps...that might be accessed elsewhere.”
“Angeline Cotillard?” he commented.
“It is possible. Templeton did suggest that she was known to have several affairs. And she was at Sandringham that weekend. Such things might not be found to be important at the time and mere filler for newspaper stories. However…” I paused.
“And there has been no sighting or information about Angeline since, that we know of. It could be important to find out where she is and perhaps what she knows.”
“How do you propose to send Miss Penworth a message? If Avery were to discover it, it could go bad for her.”
I had thought about that. “There is someone who has access to the Agency, who is above reproach, could be persuaded to take a message to Lucy. And, she is someone you trust as well, as I recall.” I let that sink in.
“Good God, Mikaela! You cannot mean…! She is eighty-five years old, and not up to this sort of thing.”
“Eighty-six years old her last birthday,” I corrected him. “And she has grown quite bored since our return from Africa.”
I was able to learn the nearest location of a telegraph office from the front desk manager.
We had made arrangements to meet Munro and Alex at the main entrance to the Royal Museum for the grand opening of the new fine art exhibit. We then went to the telegraph office to send off the telegram to my great-aunt.
Brodie accompanied me to a nearby counter in the telegraph office where I composed my message to Lady Antonia Montgomery. It was quite simple and yet there was a message behind the words I knew she would understand:
Please give Lucy my kindest regards.
She has been most helpful in the planning for the event.
Need her advice regarding the two gentlemen.
Send reply as soon as possible c/o the Hotel Castelon, Brussels.
With our regards. M.
“Ye believe that Lucy will understand yer meaning?”
“As I said, she’s very clever and resourceful. Alex would do well to marry her.”
“And her ladyship?”
