He provided his name and one of the calling cards he now carried.
“Professional Inquiry Service?” Dr. Chapman read the information on the card.
“In a private matter, sir,” Brodie replied. “If ye please.”
Dr. Chapman removed his great coat and neck scarf and indicated for him to take a chair across the desk. With a curious glance, his wife reminded him of a consultation he was to attend, then departed.
“In what way may I be of service, Mr. Brodie?”
“In the matter of the death of the son of Lord Salisbery.”
He caught the guarded look that immediately appeared.
“A most tragic situation,” Chapman replied. “You are here on behalf of the family?”
“On behalf of His Royal Highness,” Brodie replied.
He would have preferred not to bring the Prince of Wales’s name into it. Yet, he knew well enough that he might not have learned anything otherwise.
“He has asked us to make certain inquiries into the matter.”
Dr. Chapman took a deep breath, his expression thoughtful with fingers steepled before him.
“You obviously would not make such a claim if it were not so, and risk arrest by the police,” he commented.
“I was previously an inspector with the Metropolitan, sir. As I stated, I am making inquiries at his request, and ye are correct that I would not risk being arrested.”
The man was careful, obviously protective of his patients, yet despite the fact that it might complicate this inquiry, Brodie liked the man. He was straightforward in his manner, and hopefully Brodie would be able to learn something in the matter of young Lord Salisbery’s murder.
He felt that scrutiny, then the way the doctor’s expression eased.
“How may I help you, Mr. Brodie?”
He spoke of the information in the police report and from the coachman that night, then asked his questions about the physician’s part in the examination of the body afterward.
“Horrible situation,” he described what he observed after he was called to the hospital by Lord Salisbery.
“There was extensive damage to the upper body, including internal organs.” Dr. Chapman shook his head. “And the loss of a great deal of blood.
“So tragic,” he added. “I knew the young man through my acquaintance with Lord Salisbery. I only wish that I could have helped him. And now I have heard of the death of a second young man?”
He was obviously well informed in spite of efforts to keep the murders out of the dailies.
He was thoughtful. “You mentioned that you were previously with the MET. Has there been any development in the search for the those responsible for these dreadful situations?”
“That is the purpose of my visit, sir. With the hope that ye might be able to provide assistance.”
“Of course, if there is any way that I can.”
“Were there any unusual marks on the young man’s body other than the wounds you have described?”
“Marks?” Dr. Chapman remarked. “There were several as I have already said. Any one of them might have caused death. The other wounds unnecessary, almost as if…”
“As if wot?” Brodie inquired.
“As a surgeon and in my time with the Queen’s service, I have seen many wounds, but none made with such viciousness, with something very near fury, almost as if the attack was personal.” He looked across his desk at Brodie.
“You must understand that is merely an impression.”
