He already wore his chef’s whites, even though I knew he didn’t start in the kitchen for some time yet. It seemed he’d wanted to catch me before I left. “I heard from Goliath that you suspect Lord Wrexham of Miss Westwood’s murder.”
“It could be a case of jealousy. I need to question him to learn more. I’m going there today, in fact, to try and get answers from his staff.”
“That’s why I wanted to speak to you. I reckon I know someone who’d be willing to help, for a fee.”
“Of course,” Harmony bit off.
“He’s someone I used to know but haven’t seen in years. About the time I came to work here, he found work in Lord Wrexham’s household as a footman, and we lost touch. When I thought you might like to speak to someone there, I called ‘round first thing.”
“You called on your friend at his place of work after not seeing him for years?” I said. “He must have been happy to see you.”
Victor took a moment to answer. “He was surprised.” He glanced at Harmony but she was studiously not looking at him.
“What did he say?” I asked.
“He couldn’t spare me much time, but he did say he goes for a drink during the hour he has off between five and six. He says if you want to ask him questions, you’ll find him in The Nag’s Head then. His name’s Adams. Thomas Adams.”
“Thank you, Victor. That’s a considerable help. You’ve saved Mr. Armitage and me from blundering about, hoping to find a servant willing to talk.”
“Glad I could help.” He rose. “If you need me to break into Wrexham’s house, you know where to find me.”
“Victor!” Harmony stamped her hands on her hips. “Miss Fox will not be breaking into a lord’s house.”
“Why not? She broke into a lord’s hotel suite.”
That knocked the wind out of her sails. With a flash of her dark eyes, she stormed off into the bedroom.
Victor smiled and saw himself out.
“There’s been a change of plans,”I told Mr. Armitage when he arrived. “Victor has a friend who works for Lord Wrexham. We’re going to meet him later at The Nag’s Head.”
“I know the place,” Mr. Armitage said.
We met in Mr. Hobart’s office to avoid my uncle seeing Mr. Armitage in the foyer. Mr. Hobart was elsewhere but had been fine with me meeting his nephew there.
“Is he the coachman?” he asked.
“Footman.”
“I’d still like to talk to the coachman.”
I agreed it was a good idea. As he had said the day before, coachmen knew their masters’ movements better than anyone. “I’ll go now.”
“I’m coming with you,” he said.
“I thought we decided that I’d speak to the coachman and you’d talk to the maids.”
“I never agreed.”
I swept past him as he held the door open for me. “You did.”
“I’m coming with you to speak to the coachman, and that’s final.”
I didn’t argue the point. For one thing, it fitted nicely with my plan to involve him more in the case. And for another, I would enjoy the company.
I managed to keep up with Mr. Armitage’s long strides as we walked past Green Park and headed for the intersection at Hyde Park Corner. The air was cold but it wasn’t raining. I’d brought an umbrella with me, in case.
“So you’re involving the staff in your sleuthing now?” he asked as we passed Apsley House.
