He wished both her and her friends a good afternoon and then strode for the exit, arriving on Kennington Lane five minutes later.Heading east, he paced the length of the wall until he’d taken ninety-two steps.
Here he stopped to inspect the masonry and quickly decided that finding a foothold on the brick wall would not have been easy.Scaling it would have been impossible without a ladder.
Not exactly the most inconspicuous item.
Adrian shook his head.It didn’t look like Walker could have committed the crime either.
Unless...
He turned to stare back along the length of the street.All this time, he’d dismissed the killer’s use of the entrances.He himself had concluded that the one leading through the Proprietor’s House would have been an unlikely choice for anyone needing a quick in and out.Not only was it farther from the crime scene but accessing it required the use of a boat.
The Kennington Lane entrance, however, was easily accessible by carriage or on foot.He just hadn’t considered it after Kendrick claimed Walker hadn’t been in the park at the time of Miss Irvine’s death.
But the admission clerk didn’t take names and wouldn’t have known if or when Walker arrived or left.So how could Kendrick be certain of his absence from the park during this timeframe?
Returning the way he’d come, Adrian spotted a tavern directly across from Vauxhall’s main entrance.He proceeded toward it as soon as a break arose in the traffic.The dimly lit venue was only half full at this hour, its patrons clustered into small groups around a few tables.
As afternoon turned to evening, the place would likely begin to fill.Men would engage in card games and dice, laughter and conversation would make for a noisier atmosphere than what was presently found.
Retrieving his calling card from his jacket pocket, Adrian crossed to the counter and slid it toward the barkeep who busied himself with drying a glass.“I’d like to test your memory if you’ve a moment to spare.”
The barkeep glanced at the card and nodded.He set the glass aside and braced both hands on the counter.“I’ll do my best, Mr.Croft.”
“A murder took place in Vauxhall last September.”
“Aye.Bow Street sent a constable here around that time.Wanted to know who was here that night.”
“Did they inquire about anyone in particular?”Adrian collected a couple of coins from his pocket and placed them on the counter.He waited until the barkeep grabbed them before leaning closer.“A Mr.Walker, perhaps?”
Recognition flashed in the barkeep’s eyes.A slow nod followed.“A man who fit his description was present that evening between the hours of eight and midnight.He came with friends – a raucous bunch who were all deep in their cups by the time they left.”
Four hours.From before Miss Irvine was reported missing and a good while thereafter.Kendrick must have interviewed Walker’s friends, then stopped by here to double check their statements in order to determine the veracity of his alibi.
It seemed fairly solid.Walker had been here during the time of the murder.Enough people had seen him to ascertain his presence.Which made it impossible for him to be the culprit.
Adrian surveyed the space.According to the barkeep, Walker’s group had enjoyed their fair share of drinks.They’d been foxed by the time they departed.Perhaps a bit sooner.Would such men even have noticed if one of them disappeared for a spell?
Frowning, Adrian made a quick calculation.The scene of the crime could likely be reached in about five minutes, provided one ran.But that would have drawn attention.As would a hurried stride.
A moderate pace should cover the distance in roughly ten.That made twenty for a round trip, plus whatever time was needed to commit the murder.
Half an hour, Adrian decided.That was the minimum Walker would have required.And since it had been a masquerade, he could have returned to the park unnoticed.Especially since the direction he would have been headed was off to one side, away from the popular paths.
But he’d still have had to sneak away without detection.
Adrian glanced at the barkeep.“I don’t suppose you recall if Walker was gone for a lengthy duration that night?”
“Afraid not.This place gets pretty busy late in the evening.There’s enough to see to without paying close attention to where all the customers are at a given moment.”
“Of course.”Adrian gave the barkeep a few additional coins.“Thank you for taking the time.Do you mind if I use your privy before I go?”
“Not at all.”The barkeep gestured toward the left back corner.“It’s straight through there.”
The door he indicated led into a courtyard where two narrow structures with green wooden doors offered privacy to anyone needing to heed nature’s call.
Adrian pulled one door open and scrunched his nose in response to the stench of piss that assailed him.At least the privy was clean besides that.The wooden seat above the cesspit even appeared to be newly lacquered.
After completing his errand, he found the pump in the courtyard and used it to rinse his hands.Which allowed him the time to stop and notice the gate in the fence sealing off one side of the courtyard.
