“And strange it was. The constables who eventually found her found a flower laid over her, almost as if the killer had placed it there.”
“Was it a red rose?” I inquired, even as my thoughts refused to consider that it might be. It was too much of a coincidence.
Mr. Dooley’s gaze narrowed. “It was. Just that one red rose, and enough to make someone like me, who has seen a great deal on the streets, uneasy.
“Laid out like she was and with that one red rose, like it was some sort of ceremony.”
“Or sacrifice?” I suggested.
That dark gaze met mine. I could see by his grim expression that he had the same thought.
“Have ye identified the woman?” he asked.
Mr. Dooley nodded. “By way of a previous report we had from two days ago that she had gone missing. It was a bit difficult with…” He hesitated with a look in my direction. “Beg pardon again, miss. The body was somewhat deteriorated.”
“It’s quite all right Inspector Dooley.” Evidently the young woman was in an advanced state of decay.
“Who filed the missing person report?” Brodie asked.
“The father, Judge Harold Cameron, made the report.”
“There’s a bit more,” Dooley continued. “Even with the time o’ night the body was found, the interim chief inspector, Mr. Graham, insisted on returning to the office.”
“Graham?” Brodie seemed surprised.
“You may recall the man from your work with the MET. It’s to be a temporary position until Mr. Abberline returns…”
Brodie was as surprised as I was. Chief Inspector Abberline, whom Brodie had what might be politely considered difficulty with in the past, had been put on suspension after a previous inquiry case of ours.
“I heard something of it,” he acknowledged.
According to Brodie, Mr. Graham was well liked among the inspectors of the Metropolitan Police, as well as most police constables.
He had apparently worked his way up through police ranks, and was considered to be a fair man who obviously wasn’t put off by making himself available, apparently even at this time of the night.
And it seemed that due to his experience as a constable, and then an inspector working the streets, he wasn’t above participating in an investigation instead of delegating it to others, as Abberline had.
“I assume there is more to this,” Brodie commented.
Mr. Dooley nodded. “He knows that you have been making inquiries regarding the Mallory murder. And now, a second murder with similar circumstances.” He hesitated.
“Go on, Mr. Dooley,” Brodie told him.
“He’s a good man, and most of the men would like to see him permanent in the position.”
“Get on with it, Dooley.”
“He asked me to bring the copy of that report and inquire if you would be willing to meet with him later this mornin’ regarding the two cases.”
Brodie’s eyes narrowed. “I know ye well, Dooley. There’s nothin’ that goes on at the Yard that ye dinna know about, and I’ve been grateful for yer assistance in the past. Now, tell me wot ye know of this.”
“The word is that he wants you to join the police investigation in the matter of both murders.”
Eight
“Willyou agree to join the investigation with the Metropolitan Police?” I asked after we arrived at the townhouse in Mayfair that same morning, to dress more appropriately after the meeting with Mr. Dooley at the office on the Strand only a few hours earlier.
Brodie had agreed to meet with Chief Inspector Graham at ten o’clock out of courtesy, given his respect for the man who had been given an almost impossible job. He was now the temporary replacement for Chief Inspector Abberline during his suspension.
