“The light-haired nurse was very spirited and excitable; she wanted to try on so many hats that Monsieur became irritated. He hid it well, of course,” she hastens to add.
“Of course,” I say. “What of the dark-haired nurse? Miss Daniels?”
“She was quiet, even reserved. I didn’t think she was very interested in a new chapeau.”
I’m surprised. Madame Brat intimated that it was May who inquired about a millinery, not Celia. “Why do you say that?”
“She wandered about the store, listlessly touching hats but not trying any on. That is why I was astonished when she returned.”
“Miss Daniels came back?”
“Yes. Sometime after she’d departed with her friend, she came in alone. She made a beeline for a dark-gray fedora, quite the opposite of the whimsical creations her friend admired. Without even trying it on, she handed me the exact number of francs it cost and left the shop without another word.”
“Did you place it in a hatbox for her?” I do not recall any reference to a hatbox in the police report—missing or found at the scene.
“No. As soon as Miss Daniels gave me the money, she hurried out of the shop. I did notice her folding the hat into her handbag, however. Monsieur was quite cross with me when he found out.”
“Why is that? I should think he’d be happy with the sale.”
“He considers his hatboxes to be the best type of promotion for the shop. Allowing a customer to leave without one is a lost opportunity, as he likes to say. And because I was beginning my apprenticeship, he hadn’t authorized me to check out clients.”
“It doesn’t sound as though Miss Daniels gave you much time to object—or run and fetchMonsieurto ring her up.”
“That’s it exactly,” she replies, her voice rising above a whisper for the first time.
How odd,I think. It’s as if May didn’t want Celia to witness the hat purchase. Why didn’t the authorities make more of a fuss over this strange behavior? Most likely, they chalked it up to the frivolous nature and changeable mind of a young lady; that’s why the police report only makes fleeting reference to the girls’ visit to the millinery. The investigation has been underwhelming at best.
I say quietly, “Undoubtedly the gendarmes are more thorough than they seem. Even still, please be cautious.”
“I will. May I ask you for a favor?” she says, nodding at Emma, who has discovered a hat she likes—a velvet turban, of all things.
“Of course.”
“Please don’t share what I told you with anyone.”
“Whom would I tell?” I reply—a nonanswer. Because of course I will disclose this to the Queens.
“I’m not meant to discuss the dead nurse with customers. Monsieur says that murder is bad for business.”
I mime a sealing of my lips, then we return to the business of observing Emma don and doff turbans in a dizzying range of colors and fabrics. Contrary to her initial protests, the baroness might indeed purchase a wardrobe of new chapeaux today. I’m pleased this kindly girl will record a substantial sale.
A persistent tapping noise nags in the background. It grows louder until I turn toward the wide storefront window to see an eager young fellow grinning at me. “Mrs. Fleming! I say, is that you?” he yells.
I’ve been caught out.At least it’s not Mac,I think. He would not fall for the performance I’m about to give.
I return the smile and wave back. I definitely do not want him in this shop, so I gesture that I’ll meet him outside. As I stride through the millinery, I whisper to Agatha, who has been observing theexchange, “Meet me at La Pierre Chaude at seven o’clock this evening.”
Agatha nods, and then I step across the threshold.
“Have you fellows had a successful day?” I ask the reporter. His name escapes me, but if memory serves, he writes for theLiverpool Post and Mercury.
“An interesting one,” he replies, holding his cards close, as I’d expect. No self-respecting journalist would share his scoops, but the smile sneaking onto his face reveals much.
“Did you all spend the better part of the day at Napoleon’s column and the park?”
“Yes indeed. Most of us just got back to town.”
“I suppose there’s plenty to inspect in the vicinity where the body was found,” I say as if I’m simply making conversation instead of fishing for information.
