“Happy we’ll be rowing in the same boat, Inspector.”
“Er, yes … well.” Commissioner Mayne cleared his throat. “You’ll travel by special train to Gosport on the coast and then to the Isle of Wight. Two days should be adequate. Back on Sunday. On the way, Sir Lionel will put you in the picture.”
“Indeed, indeed. Full speed ahead. Shoulder to the wheel and whatnot.”
Tennant sighed. “Where and when do I meet you?”
“Waterloo station at one o’clock.” Sir Lionel sauntered to the door, spinning his hat. “By the way, the ‘special train’ is the queen’s royal one. Traveling in style with Bertie and the princess. Cheerio.” He bowed and exited.
“Young jackanapes,” Sir Richard muttered. “Brief Sergeant O’Malley and return to London as soon as you can.”
Tennant headed to the door, stopping when the commissioner called, “And Richard …”
“Sir?”
“I know it’s tempting, but don’t miss that train.”
Outside Tennant’s office, a constable handed him a note from Lady Styles. He read it and passed it to O’Malley. “The list of those who knew the details about Brigid Dowling’s arrival.”
“Mother of God.” The sergeant whistled. “’Tis a lineup of royal equerries and other swells. Major Peter FitzGerald, Captain Oliver Montgomery, Captain Frederick Locock, the Honorable George Trevor, and a Home Office fella named—”
“Sir Lionel Dermott. He was one of the ‘fancy suits’ you followed into the Yard this morning.”
“Everything will have double pairs of eyes on them,” O’Malley said. “And decisions from on high taking three times as long.”
Tennant related the details of his meeting with the commissioner.
“So, I’m on my own for two days, is it?”
“See if you can wrap it up before I return, Paddy. Bag the fellow, and we’re done with it.”
“I’ll be doing my best. Where do you want me to start?”
“The servants at Marlborough House. Several traveled to the Isle of Wight with the Prince and Princess of Wales, including the prince’s manservant.”
O’Malley tapped his nose. “I’ll see if I can sniff out any servant hall gossip.”
“Wait until Their Royal Highnesses leave for the Isle of Wight. The staff may speak more freely once they leave the house.”
“And after that?”
“Find out what you can about Sir Lionel Dermott. Drop in for a pint at the pubs around the Home Office. Chat up the junior clerks.”
O’Malley grinned. “Always happy when duty mixes with pleasure.’
“Dermott’s an odd duck. I’d like to know how odd.”
In Julia’s examining room, Lady Styles buttoned the back of Princess Alexandra’s gown.
While the princess dressed, Julia considered what to say. The prince, not Alexandra, needed advice, but who would tellhimto avoid risky partners to lessen the danger to his wife?
As Susan fastened the clasp on Alexandra’s choker necklace, the princess looked at her and said in lightly accented English, “You will stay and listen to the doctor?” She turned to Julia. “That is permitted?”
“Of course.” Julia gestured to the two chairs facing her desk.
Lady Styles wrapped a shawl around Alexandra’s thin shoulders and sat beside her. After a moment’s pause, the princess said, “Never have my male doctors made such a thorough examination. Truly, it would be most embarrassing. I think many women must prefer you, Doctor.”
Julia smiled and said, “I’m afraid the opposite is also true and explains why I have no male private patients.”
