Page 78 of Murder at the Dinner Party
So this was what Mr. Chapman meant by being too late. He’d already informed my uncle that I’d searched his office. I didn’t think mentioning the office door wasn’t locked would change anything, so I kept my mouth closed.
“I thought you were investigating Hobart’s disappearances,” he went on.
“Mr. Hobart doesn’t disappear during work hours.”
“He wasn’t there the night of Miss Hessing’s engagement dinner. He should have been there.”
“Uncle, if you are unhappy with his work, tell him.”
He suddenly thumped the desk with his fist, making my nerves jump. “I asked you to look into it!”
I pressed a hand to my rapidly beating heart. “And I told you I wouldn’t.”
He stroked his thumb and forefinger over his moustache three times before he regained some composure. “My apologies for shouting. However, I think I made it clear that your first priority should always be to the hotel.”
“Perhaps I didn’t explain myself very well, Uncle, so let me do so now. I adore my family, and my home here at the Mayfair. I appreciate everything you and Aunt Lilian have done for me. But my first priority is to myself and that includes my conscience. Mr. Hobart is a friend, and I won’t spy on him. Not even for you or the betterment of the hotel.”
To my surprise, he said nothing. He studied the papers on his desk as if he were contemplating picking one up and pretending to work.
“May I go now?” I asked.
“No.” His gaze lifted to mine. The anger had almost entirely faded, thankfully. The only good thing about his temper was that it was quickly over. “There is still the matter of Chapman’s office. He mentioned you were looking for information about someone called Mrs. Campbell.”
“Lady Campbell, and her husband, Sir Ian.” I breathed a sigh of relief to be heading down a path I could manage better. “I’ve been investigating the death of their butler. When I saw Lady Campbell take afternoon tea here, I watched her closely. Before she left, Mr. Chapman tried to speak to her and I wanted to know why.”
“Then why not ask him?”
“He wouldn’t have told me.”
“Then ask me.”
“Would you have told me?”
“Of course! You’re family, Cleopatra, and family have privileges that staff don’t. You have access to information about guests. As long as you keep it to yourself and don’t tell anyone, including investigation assistants, then I have no issue with telling you something you need to know.” He plucked out his pen from the stand. “Next time you have a question about one of our guests or a regular diner, come to me. There’s no need to sneak into the staff’s offices. Now, should I be worried that a murderess has been taking tea in our sitting room?”
I smiled, more from relief than amusement. “Lady Campbell is most likely innocent. She hasn’t got a motive to kill the butler.”
“Not unless he was going to tell the world they’re in financial difficulty. That’s why Chapman wanted to speak to her. She has a line of credit with us so she can take afternoon tea from time to time with her friends. She and Sir Ian pay a sum off each month, but they’re three months in arrears. Chapman wanted to speak to her about it that day you saw her here.”
“I had surmised they were in some difficulty, but I don’t think their butler was about to let anyone know it, if he even knew it himself. Of course, there could be a motive that I’ve missed,” I added with a frown. The thought was troubling. “I know so little about Mr. Hardy’s private life. I don’t even know if he had a lover, for example.”
Uncle Ronald looked at me fondly. “You’re clever, Cleopatra. I doubt you’ve overlooked anything. But it’s true that employers don’t know everything that goes on in our staff’s private lives.” He sighed, no doubt thinking about Mr. Hobart and his frequent disappearances.
I needed to steer the conversation away from that topic before he became cross again. “Speaking of Mr. Chapman, he thinks I told you to take the planning of the Hessing-Liddicoat wedding off him and give it to Floyd.”
“Ah, well, it was Miss Hessing herself who asked that of me. I can’t deny a guest’s wishes, especially not one with a mother like hers. Besides, she had an excellent point. The restaurant opening was a triumph and the engagement dinner was a little disappointing. I have no doubt Floyd will make the wedding reception an event to remember.”
I leaned forward, expectant, but he didn’t mention Harmony’s involvement.
“Do you want me to set Chapman straight?” he asked.
“No, it’s all right. I think he believed me when I told him I didn’t suggest it to you, and I don’t want him thinking I ran to you to complain about him. I want him to think I fight my own battles.”
“I’m sure he knows, Cleopatra,” he said gently. “It’s an admirable trait of yours.”
He smiled fondly, then suddenly concentrated on his paperwork. He attempted to write something but found the pen nib dry. He flipped open the inkpot lid as I rose to leave.
“Wait. Take this down to Mrs. Short, will you?” He signed his name on the bottom of a note then passed it to me. “It’s a directive to free Miss Cotton from her maid’s duties until the wedding is over.”
