Page 82 of Murder on Harley Street
He grunted again, which I interpreted to mean, ‘Well done, Miss Fox, you and Mr. Armitage are a formidable team with a tenacity that will get you far in life.’
“Thank you, Frank,” I said. “That’s very sweet of you.”
The bewildered look on his face implied my interpretation was off, but I didn’t care. I was in a good mood.
Instead of heading up to my suite on the fourth floor, I decided to slip into the ballroom and see how Mr. Lombardi’s event was faring. The attendees weren’t there, however, nor was Mr. Lombardi. I checked my watch. They must be at lunch in the restaurant.
Two maids and a footman were tidying the tables in the ballroom, replacing used glassware for clean, and realigning chairs to ensure they once again formed neat rows before the attendees returned. I greeted them by name and was about to leave when Harmony entered.
“I thought I spotted you come in here,” she said. “Is everything all right?”
“Marvelous. And here?”
She sighed as she looked around at the tables with their sample bottles of medicines. “It’s all going swimmingly.”
“That is good news.”
“Is it? It doesn’t feel like it. I never thought I’d say this, but part of me wants this event to fail. Unfortunately, the doctors and pharmacists are all having a good time. Many of them seem to already know each other and are enjoying meeting again. It’s like an all-day social event, particularly since they’re in a luxury hotel and being treated like royalty.”
“That is such good news, Harmony. Continue to give them the famous Mayfair Hotel personal service. We want them leaving here with wonderful memories that will encourage them to return again, and to tell their well-heeled patients and customers about us.”
“I understand your intention, but it galls me they’ll leave here with wonderful memories of Lombardi and his medicines, too.”
“Don’t worry about that.”
“Why are you smiling?”
“You’ll find out tomorrow. Will you be working?”
“I have the day off. Cleo, what have you done?”
“All will be revealed in the newspaper.”
“Which one?”
“Hopefully all of them.”
The door opened and Mr. Lombardi entered ahead of his attendees. I said goodbye to Harmony and went to leave, but he moved to block my path.
“Miss Fox, what a delight to see you.” He pressed a hand to his chest while his gaze lowered tomychest. “Have you come to watch me perform on the stage?”
I waited for his gaze to lift to my face before responding. “I came to see how the event was proceeding. Have you been happy with the hotel’s service?”
“Very much. Miss Cotton has made sure all is smooth sailing, as you English say.” He chuckled. “I almost wish I did not have to leave so early in the morning, so I could enjoy the hotel even more.”
“How early?” I asked.
My question caught him by surprise. Was that because he hadn’t meant to tell anyone that he hoped to slip out of the hotel while the night staff were still on duty and the check-in desk wasn’t manned? If he timed his departure well, he could leave the hotel without the night porter noticing, and without paying. “I cannot recall the precise time,” he said. “I think it is not so early, after all.” He smiled brightly and clasped one of my hands between both of his. “Would you like to try some of my medicines?”
“Which ones contain cocaine?” I asked loudly.
His eyes pinched at the corners. “Most do.”
“Then I’ll pass.”
Several of the attendees frowned at me then murmured to their colleagues. Mr. Lombardi quickly released my hand as if it burned him. Without another word to me, he walked off to speak to the attendees, most likely to reassure them that my comment was made by a silly female who didn’t know good medicine from bad.
I left the ballroom, almost bumping into Uncle Ronald and Floyd in the vestibule. They stood by the fireplace, chatting amiably to some of the attendees before they returned for the afternoon sessions. I waited until they were free, then joined them.
