‘What I’m seeking is an exchange of evidence.’
‘I’ll pass on that request to the inspector.’
‘Please do so.’
‘Oh, and there’s something else I must pass on,’ added Leeming, getting in a valedictory dig. ‘Your brother sends his regards.’
Wigg spluttered. ‘Why bring Reuben into this?’
‘I called on him in Belper, sir. I thought you should know that.’
Word of Lydia Quayle’s return had spread quickly throughout the staff and it had reached the ears of John Cleary. He was puzzled by her reappearance after so long an absence. Since she was now inside the house, he didn’t expect to catch sight of her at all. He was therefore astonished when she came in search of him. He was polishing the phaeton at the time and saw her mirrored in the shining side panel. Cleary spun round to face her.
‘Good afternoon, Cleary.’
‘Oh, good afternoon, Miss Quayle — I heard that you were back.’
‘How long I’ll be staying, I don’t really know.’
‘While you’re here,’ he said, ‘you’re very welcome.’
It was a sincere comment. Cleary had always liked her because she’d treated him well during her time on the estate. Lydia found him pleasant, willing and very efficient. He was also quietly unobtrusive. Some of the servants were always courting attention in the hope of gaining favour but the coachman simply did as he was told. Cleary had a gift for fading into the background.
‘I’m rather surprised to see you out here,’ he said, tentatively.
‘Why?’
‘After all this time away, I’d have thought you had a lot to say to the rest of your family. They must have been wondering where you’ve been.’
‘They’re preoccupied with other things at the moment.’
‘Of course — I’m very sorry about what happened to your father.’ When she made no reply, he pressed on. ‘We all respected Mr Quayle. We can’t imagine that anyone would want to harm him in any way. Do the police have any idea who committed the murder?’
‘I believe that they have suspects in mind.’
‘That’s good.’
‘Inspector Colbeck has an excellent reputation.’
‘Yes, I met the inspector. I was impressed by him.’
Cleary was still trying to work out why she’d come to the stables in the first place. She seemed so uncomfortable and hesitant. For her part, Lydia was battling with demons from the past and trying to summon up her courage. During her time in London, she’d made a conscious attempt to put Gerard Burns out of her mind but he’d seeped back in the moment she’d seen their old haunts. Lydia did her best to sound casual but the question was nevertheless blurted out.
‘Do you ever see anything of Mr Burns?’
‘No, I don’t,’ he replied.
‘You were such good friends at one time.’
‘We lost touch.’
‘I remember watching the two of you play cricket,’ she said. ‘You and Mr Burns were the best players in the team.’
‘Your brother was a fine cricketer as well, Miss Quayle.’
‘Lucas was never as good as either of you.’
‘Oh, you can’t compare me with Gerard. He was very special. I’d hate to have faced him when he was bowling.’
‘Have you … had any word of him?’
‘I can only tell you the tittle-tattle,’ he said, apologetically, ‘and there’s no knowing how reliable that is.’
‘I’d like to hear it nevertheless.’
‘Well, the rumour is that Gerard has a position as head gardener at Melbourne Hall. When he left here, he managed to better himself.’
‘Good gracious!’ said Lydia with genuine pleasure. ‘That is a feather in his cap. It’s a just reward for all that studying he did about horticulture. Well, well,’ she went on, trying to absorb the news, ‘that’s very gratifying. We all know who lives at Melbourne Hall. Gerard … Mr Burns, that is, must be so proud to serve the prime minister. His life has changed so much since he was here.’
‘There’s another rumour I heard about him,’ he said.
‘What was that, Cleary?’
‘He got married.’
‘Oh.’ In a flash, all the joy had left her. ‘Oh, I see.’
‘Someone told me that Gerard was going to be a father.’
She mustered a brave smile. ‘How nice for him!’ she said.
But there was no conviction in her voice. Lydia felt suddenly hollow and bereft. After thanking him for the information, she walked back towards the house. Cleary was unable to see the anguish in her face.
When he got back to the hotel, Victor Leeming expected to deliver a report of his visit to Spondon and to receive congratulations on what he’d found out. Instead, he was confronted with the news that he had to take the superintendent back to London. After examining the injury, the doctor had told Tallis that he’d been fortunate. Though it was swollen and badly sprained, the ankle was not broken. Rest was prescribed. The superintendent decided to leave immediately and to press Leeming into service.
The sergeant was hopeful. ‘Does that mean I can spend the night in London?’
‘I’m afraid not,’ said Colbeck. ‘I need you here, so you must catch a train back to Derby at once. We’ve lots to discuss and you’ll have a chance to meet Madeleine.’
‘I didn’t know that your wife was here, sir.’
‘I’m keeping her hidden in my room until the superintendent has gone.’
‘I wish that I had Estelle hidden away in my room,’ said Leeming, longingly. ‘I might even start to enjoy Derby then.’
‘I’m sorry that it can’t be arranged. Estelle is not directly involved in the investigation, you see, whereas my wife is. Miss Quayle prevailed upon Madeleine to go to Nottingham with her because she needed a friend for company. I met Madeleine at the railway station there and brought her back here.’
‘If he knew about it, Superintendent Tallis would be outraged.’
‘That’s why I’m so glad that we’re getting rid of him. That accident he had was a godsend and so was the visit to the Works. Watching that turntable in action opened up a whole new line of inquiry.’
‘Did it, sir?’
‘We’ve been approaching this case from the wrong angle, Victor. I only realised that when I saw a locomotive being spun around so that I could view it from the other end, so to speak. That’s what we must do with this case.’
‘I don’t understand.’
‘All will be explained when you return,’ said Colbeck. ‘I daren’t even mention my theory to the superintendent. After what happened to him in there, he won’t listen to a single syllable about the Works. The place is anathema to him.’
They were standing in the foyer of the hotel. A porter had brought down the luggage from Tallis’s room and stood ready to load it into the waiting cab. When the door of the manager’s office opened, Tallis hobbled out with the aid of a borrowed walking stick.
‘Ah, there you are, Leeming,’ he said. ‘Come and help me, man.’
The sergeant went across to him and let Tallis lean on him.
‘I’m sorry to hear about your ankle, sir,’ he said. ‘Does it hurt?’
‘It hurts like blazes!’
‘You’ll be much better off in London.’
‘Pain takes no account of geography. It will hurt just as much there as here.’
‘We hope you have a swift recovery,’ said Colbeck, nodding to the porter to take out the luggage. ‘We’ll miss the benefit of your guidance here.’
Tallis was curt. ‘Don’t lie any more than you have to, Colbeck.’
‘I hope that you have some pleasant memories of Derby, sir.’
‘The only thing that will give me pleasure — and soothe my ankle at the same time — is the news that you have finally solved this crime.’
‘That news will not be long in reaching you.’
‘I’ll hold you to that. Leeming?’
‘Yes, sir?’ said the sergeant.
‘Get me out of this accursed place.’
‘Lean on me, sir.’
‘Slow down, you imbecile!’ said Tallis as Leeming moved off. ‘Every step is a separate agony. Let me set the pace.’