“The ring wrapped up with the letter is your ring, isn’t it?” I showed him the photograph. “Did you give it to her as a token of your love?”
He closed his eyes and tipped his head back. He expelled a shuddery breath before looking at me again. “All these years of hiding our relationship, and a complete stranger uncovers it.” He huffed a humorless laugh. “Pearl would have found thatamusing.”
“You loved her, and that’s why you can’t bring yourself to clear out her dressing room or change the posters.”
He pressed his lips together, but it didn’t stop them trembling.
“Tell me about your relationship. When did it begin?”
He stepped aside, inviting me into his office.
“Let’s talk out here.”
His frown deepened before clearing in understanding. “You thinkIkilled her and will kill you too for discovering our secret?” He shook his head. “Pearl really would find that amusing. I didn’t kill her, Miss Fox. I loved her. You even said so yourself just now.”
“You must have been jealous of her relationship with Lord Rumford.” When he didn’t respond, I forged on. “I imagine this is painful for you, but if you want me to believe you didn’t hurt her, you have to talk. But I’ll be staying right here.”
He stroked his thumb and forefinger over his thin moustache. “I wasn’t jealous of Rumford. I had no reason to be. I knew she didn’t love him. That letter proves it.”
“But you never received the letter.”
“I didn’t need to read it to know. Look. Pearl and I had been together for a few years. When she left Wrexham, I thought we’d finally be together. I’d hoped it would be just the two of us, and I even asked her to marry me. She said she would, but not yet. She was at the height of her career and didn’t want to give it all up. Then shortly after Wrexham, she took up with Rumford. She said she missed the gifts and attention. He paid for a nice flat, took her to expensive restaurants, and they attended balls and parties together. She met princes and dukes because of Wrexham and then Rumford.” He sounded as though he was in awe of the life she was able to lead, not jealous that he couldn’t give her those things.
“It must have stung that she promised to be with you but took up with Rumford instead.” I recalled something Mr. Alcott had said. “You argued about it, didn’t you?”
“We fought about that and other things. We had a volatile relationship.” He gave a hollow laugh. “There was never a dull moment.” He must have realized how that sounded, because he quickly shook his head. “I never wanted her dead.Our fights only showed how much we loved one another. If we didn’t fight it would have meant we were indifferent, and indifference is the end of a relationship.”
I believed him when he said he loved her and didn’t wish her dead, but that didn’t mean he hadn’t done it in the heat of the moment, perhaps accidentally causing her to fall to her death. “Where were you when she died?”
“Here at the theater.”
“I mean where precisely. You must have been nearby if you got to the body first.”
He frowned. “I didn’t. Perry Alcott was already there when I reached her.”
If that were true, why hadn’t Mr. Alcott corrected Dotty when she claimed Mr. Culpepper was first on the scene? “Can you show me where?”
“I don’t have time.”
“Please, Mr. Culpepper. This is for Pearl. If she was killed, she deserves justice.”
His eyes filled with tears. He nodded. “Follow me.”
He led the way along the corridor, past the dressing rooms and a store room where a staff member was polishing a candlestick. He pushed open a door and we emerged into the ground floor seating area. Four actors on the stage looked up from their scripts.
“Miss Fox?” said Mr. Alcott. “You’ve returned.”
“I had some questions for Mr. Culpepper,” I said without stopping. Mr. Culpepper’s strides weren’t long but they were purposeful and quick.
Mr. Alcott and Dotty Clare exchanged glances then Mr. Alcott jumped off the stage. He assisted Dotty down then they both followed us up the aisle.
Mr. Culpepper stopped eight rows back. “Here.” He pointed along the row. “Seats seven to ten.” He swallowed and looked away.
“What time did it happen?”
“Three-thirty?” He looked to the others and they nodded.
Dotty took his hand. “Is this necessary, Miss Fox?”
