“Please, do be seated.” He indicated the chairs before the desk. “Tell me what has brought you to White’s.”
“I do realize this is most unusual,” I began, then explained the reason we were there.
“You must understand, Lady Forsythe, that we are in no position to make any comment regarding a member of White’s. Privacy is to be maintained at all times. I would think that any inquiries into the matter would be made directly to the family.”
“Of course, and in due time,” I replied. “However, I would like very much to speak with the footman who was here that night and would have summoned the coach for the young man.”
He sat back at his chair. “That would be highly irregular.”
“I understand, however anything he might remember from that night could be most helpful in bringing this matter to aclose. I’m certain you understand the importance of that for Lord Salisbery and his family.”
I then asked, “Is the footman who was here that night available?”
“That would be Mr. Masterson, a long-time employee of White’s.”
I caught the hesitation and sensed the refusal that would come next. I reached across the desk and laid the note from the Prince of Wales on the desktop in front of him.
“He has asked us to make every effort in the matter to resolve this dreadful situation,” I informed him.
Even though he was a gentleman for whom discretion and composure were paramount, I caught his reaction in the sudden tightening of his jaw as he read the note that Brodie had been given.
“I understand,” he replied. “I will summon Mr. Masterson. You may meet with him here in my office. If you will wait, please.” He then offered to have tea or coffee brought in while we waited.
“That will not be necessary,” I politely replied. “We have an appointment afterward. I am certain you understand the urgency and that a particular person should not be kept waiting.” I then pointedly retrieved the note and tucked it into my notebook.
Let him think what he would about whom that appointment was with.
“What appointment?” Lily whispered after he left the office. “With the Prince of Wales?”
I wouldn’t have called it a lie, more of a hint that I had put out there so that we might be able to speak with the man.
“Ye let him believe that we would be meeting with the Prince of Wales,” she continued to whisper with a look that could only be described as amazement. Then she smiled. “Quite clever.”
The chairman returned expeditiously with an older gentleman whom he introduced as Mr. Masterson.
“Well done,” Lily whispered.
BRODIE
The physician’s office was on Harley Street, in a row of discreet red brick offices near the private hospital in Marylebone. This was information Mr. Dooley had provided from the official police investigation into the death of young Charles Holt-Densmore, the son of Lord Salisbery.
He was told Robert Chapman, physician, should be returning any time from an early morning visit to the hospital. The woman who appeared in the outer office, Mrs. Chapman, was polite and informed him that if it was a medical issue, he could find the doctor at the hospital
“Not at all,” he thanked her. “It is a private matter.”
And he waited and made a handful of observations about the good doctor from the certificates and commendations framed on the wall behind a desk.
Chapman had graduated from King’s College according to a framed certificate, as well as a surgeon with honors from the University of Edinburgh Medical School. There were several other framed certificates, as well as one that noted his military service.
He was obviously well connected as there was also a photograph that included two other men, one notably Lord Salisbery, obviously at the hunt with a stag at their feet as they posed with rifles in hand.
Well educated, a man who had served with the military, obviously highly thought of, and the person Lord Salisbery had contacted when his son was brutally murdered. Would the man be willing to discuss the situation with him?
The answer to that came as the door opened. He turned and met the steady gaze of the man in that photograph.
Mrs. Chapman appeared and informed the doctor that he had been waiting to meet with him.
Brodie immediately caught the speculation in the man’s expression as they had not previously met.
