“She’s resting,” Lady Styles said quickly. “The princess is plagued by frequent headaches that only repose will ease. Shall I ask her and get back to you?”
“Thank you. The police rely on frank and cooperative witnesses.”
She dropped her gaze. “Of course. You … you had a second question?”
“Yes. The day you expected Brigid Dowling, was anyone here for luncheon?”
Lady Styles considered. “Princess Louise and Alexandra.Harriet FitzGerald—no, that was another day. And two other ladies of the household.”
“I wondered about Captain Montgomery. As a royal equerry and a friend of the princess, was he here that day?”
Susan shook her head. “No. It was just the five ladies at the table. The two princesses, Alexandra’s two maids of honor, and me. We talked of Miss Dowling’s impending visit, wondering at it.”
“I’ll have to question Captain Montgomery about that afternoon and the evening of the fire.”
“He’s here now, waiting for Alexandra to come downstairs. Shall I ask him to see you?”
“Thank you.”
Five minutes later, the captain appeared. All pretense of geniality was over. His eyes were steely, and his voice clipped. Tennant thought,Here’s the natural man. A nasty piece of work?
“What is it now, Inspector?”
“I have a few questions about your movements.”
“I thought we went over this at Osborne House.”
“About the afternoon of Brigid Dowling’s murder in London. I believe you said you were in town that day. Where in London, Captain?”
“I do not recollect precisely. I seem to recall working at home on correspondence for the prince.”
“And the morning of the fire. You arrived rather quickly.”
“That’s a statement, but I’ll answer your implied question. The prince sent for me.”
“Please account for your movements that night.”
Montgomery’s jaw tightened. “This is no longer amusing, Tennant.”
“I imagine the Dowling sisters would agree. So, the night of the fire, where were you?”
“At my club, all evening. The Army and Navy.”
“Did you see Captain Locock there?”
“Yes, we left together as it happens. Parted at the front door around one.”
“Captain Locock walked to his residence. Did you take a cab?”
“My house is on St. James Square, a few minutes’ walk on foot.”
“Did a servant let you in?”
“I have a latchkey. Make of that what you will, Inspector.”
Tennant hailed a cab outside Marlborough House and got in. He rubbed his sleeve against the hackney’s window and squinted into the mist.I hope the cabbie has a better view.
Had the inspector wasted his time? Montgomery’s answers got him nowhere, and Lady Styles couldn’t supply an alibi for Peter FitzGerald. Tennant smiled grimly.Sir Lionel will be pleased about that. He shifted in his seat, exasperated by the state of his aching leg in the foggy weather and by the results of his interviews. One thing struck him: his questions had made Lady Styles uneasy.There’s something there,he thought.Something about the afternoon of Lizzy’s death.
