Page 85 of Death of a Courtesan
‘How could Celeste know that he would?’
‘She understood men in general and made it her business to understand Ray in particular through her conversations about him with Michael. She would have read between the lines and probably identified his inabilities, the cause of his anger and aggression, and exploited it to her own advantage.’
‘So that she could use him to carry out her dirty work.’
‘Precisely.’
‘What happens to Adelaide’s money now? Obviously, Celeste can’t profit from her crime.’
‘I understand it goes to a charitable institution that helps fallen women.’
Salter nodded. ‘Glad to hear it. What of that carnation we found beneath Adelaide’s bed? Presumably it was placed there to put us off the scent.’
‘Yes, I asked Mirabelle about that earlier and she told me she put it there at Celeste’s suggestion when she sneaked Ray into the room. She didn’t ask why but we can safely suppose that it was intended as an ironic symbol as well as a way to point us in the wrong direction.’
‘What do you want me to do about Mirabelle?’
‘Let her cool her heels in a cell tonight and you can release her in the morning, provided she keeps her mouth shut. She knows that she must and I’m convinced that she will. She’s had one hell of a fright and learned her lesson.’
‘Just to save Danforth’s hide?’ Salter wrinkled his nose. ‘He don’t deserve it.’
‘No, Jack, but the department does. I care about its reputation more than I do Chief Inspector Danforth’s.’
‘When we first went to that brothel, Mirabelle was totally unconcerned about Adelaide’s death, even though she knew the man she let in must have killed her. How could she have put on such a show?’
‘She had to. She knew we would hear from the other girls that she and Adelaide were sworn enemies.’
‘I still don’t see why she went scurrying over to Celeste’s house, effectively giving them both away.’
‘It was because I mentioned the diaries—’
‘And dropped Celeste’s name casually into the conversation.’ Salter chuckled. ‘You crafty devil!’
Riley inclined his head. ‘Guilty as charged.’
‘But you didn’t suspect Celeste and Mirabelle of being in cahoots at that point, did you?’
‘Truth to tell, Jack, I was floundering in the dark, so I did what I always do when I hit a wall and threw a few names into the mix just to see what reaction they got. And when I saw Mirabelle pale, I suspected that I’d struck a nerve.’
‘Then you had Peterson watch Celeste’s house.’
‘Only because I thought she might try to evade justice, if she was the guilty party. I can’t take any credit for second sight in this particular case.’
‘I would if I was you.’ Salter chuckled. ‘Don’t disillusion the troops.’
Riley stood, yawned and reached for his hat. ‘Well, I’m for a decent meal and an early night. Goodnight, Jack. I’ll see you the day after tomorrow.’
‘Goodnight, sir. And congratulations. This hasn’t been an easy case but we got there.’
‘More by luck than judgement,’ Riley replied with a rueful smile. ‘It didn’t occur to me that three of our suspects might be in cahoots, but it damned well should have.’
Salter shook his head. ‘I can’t see why.’
Riley made his way home and allowed Stout to fuss over him. He enjoyed a leisurely bath, a substantial meal and a good bottle of claret. He shrugged as he examined the label, wondering who had imported the French vintage into England and whether they had troubled themselves to pay the duty on it.
He slept soundly and took an early train to Chichester the following morning. Henry seemed surprised and a little wary at his unexpected arrival. Happily Celia was making calls and so the brothers were able to ensconce themselves in Henry’s library whilst Riley explained developments.
‘Ye gods, she a murderess, you say?’ Henry dropped his head into his hands and shook it from side to side. ‘How could I have been such a damned fool?’
