Unless he was.
There was one easy way of finding out.
After breakfast, I asked Frank where the General Register Office was located. He hailed a cab for me, and I headed to Somerset House on The Strand where the records of the country’s births, deaths and marriages were housed in the imposing building. After giving one of the many clerks stationed at the counter my request, it took over two hours before I finally got my hands on Millie’s birth certificate.
Pearl was listed as the mother under her real name of Eleanor, as I expected. The father’s name, however, had mere-thinking everything. It wasn’t Lord Wrexham, but Mr. Culpepper, after all.
If Pearl was with both men at the time, she couldn’t have been absolutely sure who’d fathered Millie, but it was telling that she chose to list Culpepper over Wrexham. The choice she’d made almost four years ago was one thing, but the choice she’d made recently was quite another. She’d chosen to tell Lord Wrexham thathewas Millie’s father in the hope he’d give her money.
But it seemed just as likely that she’d gone to Millie’s father first.
Mr. Culpepper had lied to me. Hemusthave known Millie was his daughter.
If he’d lied about that, what else had he lied about? Pushing Pearl over the balcony after discovering she’d kept Millie from him all these years? Or because he didn’t want to pay her money for supporting the child? Or had he finally snapped out of sheer jealousy over her other lovers?
He had the motiveandthe opportunity. He’d arrived at the scene of her death quickly. After Pearl’s deathly scream, he’d been seen emerging from the fire exit which gave direct access to the dress circle balcony.
I had to confront him, but I’d be a fool to do it alone.
Chapter 14
Ifound Mr. Armitage putting on a second coat of paint on the walls in his office. The cold air coming through the open window diluted the fumes, but it made the room feel like ice. I kept my coat on as I greeted him.
He descended the ladder and set down the paint tin and brush. “It seems you can’t stay away, Miss Fox.”
“Perhaps you should put another desk in here for me.”
“And add your name to the door?”
“What an excellent idea.”
He grunted and wiped his hands on the paint-splattered cloth slung over his shoulder. “What can I do for you?”
“I want to request your company to speak to a suspect.”
He frowned. “A violent suspect?”
“He might turn violent when I accuse him of murder.”
“If you’re worried, perhaps you shouldn’t go. Tell my father what you know and let the police handle it.”
“You said I needed more evidence or there was no point going to the police.”
He began removing his overalls, which I took as a sign he’d already made up his mind to join me. “And I assume you found that evidence.”
“It’s still just speculation.” I told him about seeing Mr. Culpepper’s name on Millie’s birth certificate and how he’d lied to me about knowing of her existence. “I don’t have anyproof that he lied, but I do have a strong suspicion. And if he lied about that, what else has he lied about?”
“It’s quite a leap to go from lying to murder.”
“That’s why I want to confront him. I need answers, and, quite frankly, I can think of no one else who will provide them at this juncture. I’ve ruled out Lady Wrexham and am also quite sure Lord Wrexham didn’t do it. She has an alibi and he was most likely elsewhere at the time of the murder too. Culpepper is my only suspect. So will you come with me?”
“I wouldn’t be a gentleman if I ignored the request of a lady.”
I tried to think of a retort but got distracted by his forearms again. They really were quite muscular. And the way his shirt fitted across his shoulders was also something of a revelation. I knew they were broad but without a waistcoat or jacket, I was able to see just how broad.
He suddenly looked up and I had to pretend to be studying something on the desk. Unfortunately, there was nothing on the desk within easy reach except a pencil. I picked it up, gave it the once over, and put it down again.
He plucked his waistcoat and tie off the stand then grabbed his jacket. Before putting it on, he removed a leather holster and gun from the bottom desk drawer.
