Hyde Park Heist (Piccadilly Ladies Club Mysteries Book 1)

by Bettie Jane

  Oscar Goodall said nothing amidst all this talk of Philip. That seemed odd to Julia.

  “Oscar, you’re somewhat friendly with Philip, are you not?”

  He swallowed and looked around nervously. “Well, no, not really. We used to be friendlier ages ago. We’d play the occasional cricket or round of golf. He’s gotten quite strange lately. His wife being pregnant would explain some of that. I suppose.”

  Julia was certain that the relationship between Philip and Oscar was more complicated than Oscar made it out to be.

  Julia recalled Jimmie’s statement from the early hours of the morning that Eliza was working up the courage to tell Philip she was leaving him. Julia wondered now if, since others had heard the gossip that she may be leaving Philip, if perhaps she’d already told Philip and he’d reacted in a fit of passion and killed her.

  In Julia’s mind, Philip was moving up the list of possible suspects. If she was in fact pregnant with someone else’s baby and he’d discovered it, well, Julia wouldn’t it put it past him to snap. She looked at Jimmie, who wore a strain around his eyes that hadn’t been there before the mention of the pregnancy. Did he know about it then?

  Julie rubbed her temples, exhaustion and drink catching up to her.

  “It was quite lovely having you all over. I need to get more rest now. Enjoy the drinks, my lovelies, and show yourselves out when you are ready.”

  Mattie called after her. “Don’t forget that Opal and Oscar are having a painting demonstration later tonight. It should be quite lovely.”

  “I’ll think about it,” Julia said, and withdrew to her rooms to think.

  Her thoughts raced while her body rested on the small settee in her rooms. Her maid left a jug of wine in her room and she sipped slowly on the red wine. She did her best thinking over a glass—or bottle—of red wine.

  If Jimmie was the father of Eliza’s baby, would he, could he have killed her to keep that from coming out? She knew him well and he didn’t have a plan in his near future for settling down with either a wife, or with children.

  On the other hand, if Mattie suspected that Eliza was carrying Jimmie’s baby, could she be furious enough with his unrequited love, and made mad enough to kill Lady Eliza and her unborn babe? It seemed odd to Julia that Mattie would be this upset. Certainly the murder was grizzly business, but Mattie practically hated Eliza. With her out of the way, Jimmie was potentially available to her again. Was Mattie Hawkins, Julia’s childhood friend, capable of such a dreadful crime?

  Her thoughts turned to Oscar. Had Philip jilted him? Or perhaps he was simply jealous of Eliza. If Oscar had known about the pregnancy, he may have sensed an end to their fun as long as Mrs. Withers was in the picture.

  Sidney’s motives were more business-oriented which didn’t really fit with the messy placement of the body, not to mention the method of murder. Could he have been so upset by the bad business deal that he killed Eliza to get back at Philip and so violently? Men had killed for less, Julia supposed.

  Frankie seemed the least likely of all she’d interviewed so far. She couldn’t think of a motive that tied Frankie to Eliza, except the missing ring, but Frankie’s family was beyond wealthy. A simple diamond ring wouldn’t be worth it.

  She would rest and think on it. Perhaps it was none of these, but others. She’d rest and then speak with her friend, the copper, and see what else she might discover. If there was a possibility of speaking with Philip, she’d have to take advantage of that. He was the strongest suspect as far as she could see.

  Chapter 3

  Saturday Evening

  Barlow Residence

  Julia looked around at the thin line of her mother’s disapproving lips and the look of disappointment in her father’s eyes and repeated her original plea for mercy.

  “I’m not interested in marrying a man such as Sidney Guinness. I don’t care how wealthy he his. Why can’t you understand that I might not want to marry at all, and if I do, it will be one of passion and friendship, not a business arrangement?”

  Julia’s mother, Meredith, drew her lips into an even thinner line, indicating that she wasn’t hearing her only daughter’s argument. Rather, she was hearing it but not caring enough to really think of it from Julia’s perspective.

  “Didn’t you love Father when you married, Mother?”

  “Your mother and my relationship is none of your concern, Julia Barlow,” her father interjected firmly. “You will go to dinner with Sidney Guinness. It’s been arranged. Now, before you embrace your petulance to your own demise, recall that you receive a generous allowance from us. Should you continue to argue with me about the direction you’ll take with Sidney, I fear you’ll regret that particular course of action. It is by my good graces that you even have your position at the paper, a sentiment I would be inclined to adjust should you continue to rebel against me and your mother.”

  He pulled his watch from his vest pocket and chided Julia. “He’ll be here in less than an hour and you are not dressed at all suitably to represent the Barlow name. Get on with it now.”

  With that admonition—demand, rather—Julia’s father, George, and her mother swept dramatically out of the parlor.

  Their insistence that she live life as they designed galled Julia. They were the primary reason she didn’t wish to be married. She’d been controlled by her father for her entire life, and she’d watched her mother be controlled by him for as long as she understood the definition of the word. Julia believed there was more to life than living by arbitrary rules set up by anyone other than herself.

  Soon, after she solved the mystery of the murder of Lady Eliza Withers, she’d have the break that her career so desperately needed. Then she’d be able to make other living arrangements. Arrangements that simply could not include a husband. She most certainly would not go from being subject to her father’s whim to being ruled by the hand of a husband. For now, she’d simply have to placate her mother and father.

  She dressed only to meet the bare minimum of requirements for her parents’ approval, knowing they would insist on greeting Sidney when he arrived. When her ladies maid, Wendy, called to tell her that Sidney had arrived, Julia had determined at least three different ways to end her evening with him early.

  They said I had to go, never how long I had to stay gone.

  After the necessary exchanges and courteous amount of time with her parents, Julia pressed Sidney. The sooner they left, the sooner they could finish and she could get on with what really mattered: finding Lady Withers’ killer.

  “Shall we. I’m afraid I’m simply famished.”

  “Yes, of course, Julia. My apologies.”

  Julia stomped out of the house while Sidney continued to make nice with Julia’s parents and give a proper farewell. When he caught up to her on the porch, she offered him her best fake smile.

  “Where are we off to, then, Mr. Guinness?

  “Perhaps we can share a meal and then go dancing at Candlelight Club.”

  Already beyond bored and filled with resentment, Julia nodded. “Dinner sounds lovely, however I am not certain I will be up for dancing this evening.”

  “It’s a lovely evening. Shall we take a stroll before dinner then?”

  Oh, Bother.

  “I’m sure that would be lovely, Mr. Guinness. By the way, Mr. Guinness. What did happen with your business dealings with Lord Withers? Do you worry at all that the police might consider you a suspect since the pair of you had such public negative dealings?”

  “Not at all, Julia. If either of us were to have hard feelings, I’m certain it would be Philip. The deal he offered to me was quite inadequate compensation for the bargain he was obtaining from me. I refused to underpaid and thus told him bugger off. He was angry, certainly, but that’s the end of it. Neither of us would stoop to such a level as the murder of the more genteel among us. Eliza, though scandalous in her affairs, was still a gentlewoman, one that didn’t deserve her fate.”

  “So you turned hi
m down, not the other way around?”

  “That is correct, my dear.”

  Julia wanted to slap the mustache off his face. How she bored of niceties. So many in her parents’ social circles were this way, shallow and full of empty pandering. That’s what she thought, but not what she said.

  “So you have no grudge against the Withers family?”

  Keep up the performance, Julia. Let him report back to Father that you were the picture of a lady.

  “Quite the opposite. I’m rather glad it worked out that way. Especially in light of certain recent events. I should not want to be embroiled in a scandal of this nature. It would quite hurt my own family industry.”

  She’d have to confirm his statement about being the one that backed out of the deal he supposedly cared about. Perhaps if she got an interview with Philip. Yes, that would be just the thing. She could rule out Sidney—or not—based on Philip’s answers and perhaps gain more insight into Philip’s goings-on that evening.

  Julia went through the rest of the evening with Sidney, forcing herself to have a good time—the gin certainly helped—and vowed to solve this murder immediately so she would no longer have to waste time with men the likes of Sidney Guinness.

  He walked her home and really was a complete gentleman. As suitors go, she could certainly imagine worse. After they said their very proper goodbyes, Julia raced up the stairs to avoid her parents and rang Edith.

  “Edith, get dressed and you can’t take forever this time. We need to get to the Candlelight Club. I need to talk to Philip Withers. I think he’ll be there for the charity event tonight.”

  “Oh my, darling. Are you wandering into the middle of the Withers’ drama? I should love to tag along.”

  “I suppose I am. I’m going to stop by and get Jimmie along the way. If Lord Withers’ decides to show us his famous temper, I’d like to have him around.”

  “Yes, of course,” Edith teased. “I’m sure that’s the only reason you want Jimmie to tag along. Say, how was your brunch this morning? Mattie told me all about it.”

  “Fascinating, really. I’ll tell you all about it later.”

  “I’ll be ready when you arrive.”

  After she hung up, she put on her evening clothes and flew back down the stairs, hoping she could get out before her parents noticed she’d even returned.

  “Julia?” Her father’s voice stopped her just before she made it to the front door.

  “Yes, Father?”

  “How was your evening with Sidney? I didn’t expect you to return so soon.”

  “It was fine, Father. I could imagine seeing him again. I’ve certainly spent time with less charming gentlemen.”

  He didn’t need to know it would be to interview him because she suspected he may have had a hand in Eliza’s murder.

  He looked her up and down. “You’ve changed again. Where are you off to this time?”

  “Edith and I are going to the Candlelight Club to interview Philip Withers for the paper.”

  “The poor man’s just lost his wife to tragic circumstances, Julia. Why don’t you leave him in peace? I thought your paper was above the sordid story-grabbing of the tabloids. It’s the only reason I allowed you to work there.”

  “It’s not sordid, Father. I want to help solve the murder. I think I may have learned something when I was out last night that may be important. I want to meet with the inspector assigned.”

  “I’m not convinced that this profession is best for you, Julia. I don’t know why you insist on pursuing such matters. This really is quite beneath us. What will people think? Such grisly business.”

  He wasn’t even speaking to her at this point, mostly just muttering. She answered him anyway.

  “I think it’s quite noble to bring a murderer to justice, Father, don’t you? It’s certainly not suitable for a woman to be a constable. An investigative reporter is the next best thing.”

  “I don’t approve, Julia. However, for now, I’ll not forbid it. Please don’t embarrass your mother, though. If you do, I’ll be forced to take action. I’ll not have our reputation sullied because my daughter chooses to consort with the working class.”

  He turned and retreated to the safety of his study, and she rolled her eyes the moment he was out of sight. Sometimes when her mother wasn’t around, her father was almost reasonable. Almost. The issue was put to bed for now, but Julia’s sense of urgency to prove herself as a career woman only increased with every interaction with her father.

  Chapter 4

  Saturday Night

  Candlelight Club

  West End, London

  Edith, Jimmie, and Julia sat at the same table they’d occupied the night of the treasure hunt and Eliza’s murder, waiting to see if Philip Withers would grace the Candlelight Club with his presence so Julia could question him.

  “Not that I’m complaining since I do love a good gin cocktail, but don’t you think it would be quite unusual for a widower to go out dancing just after his wife was found murdered? Why don’t you just let the police handle this, Julia? There’s a violent murderer on the loose. I think you should stay out of it.”

  “Unless he was happy she was dead,” Julia answered Edith’s first question and ignored her comments about the police investigating. She sipped her cocktail and scanned the crowd for any sign of Lord Withers.

  Edith gasped, her eyes wide as saucers. “You don’t think that Lord Withers’ is responsible for Lady Eliza’s death do you?”

  Jimmie balled his fist where it rested on the table top. “I wouldn’t put it past him. He was a violent man. Eliza—Lady Withers said the war messed him up good.”

  Julia offered her opinion. “In my estimation, Mr. and Mrs. Withers had an unusual situation. I suspect if he had something to do with her death, he’d want to remain home and not look as though he were out celebrating. I suppose it is possible that he is so full of arrogance and thinks himself so far above the law that he’d not give a care to what anyone would suppose of him—guilty or innocent.”

  “Speak of the devil,” Edith said.

  All three of their heads turned toward the grand entrance of the club to see Philip Withers walk in, making quite a splash with two young girls—at least half his age—on his arm. It seemed cradle-snatcher should be permanently added to his name.

  Jimmie scooted his chair back and stood, his eyes full of rage.

  Julia stood as well and placed a hand on his arm. She leaned in to him and whispered low so only he could hear her speak. “We’re trying to prove your innocence, dear man. Do keep your wits about you, won’t you? We don’t need any more witnesses putting you in a public argument with Philip.”

  He balled his fists again but remained in place. Julia stared Jimmie down until he resumed his seat at the table across from Edith.

  “You two wait here,” Julia said. “I’m just going to ask him a few questions. Before you object, he’ll be more likely to speak freely if he doesn’t feel ambushed by the three of us, don’t you imagine?”

  Julia approached Philip, who’d just made his way to the bar. The pretty girls on his arm were already on the dance floor.

  “Lord Withers?”

  Philip looked Julia up and down, making her skin crawl.

  “Miss Barlow, is it?”

  “Yes, sir. I believe you are acquainted with my father.” She wasn’t above utilizing her own connections in her father’s community to her advantage.

  “Ah, yes, George Barlow. How is your father?”

  “He’s well, Lord Withers. I’m sorry for your loss. You must be utterly shocked.”

  His face darkened and his eyes narrowed for just a moment before he replaced it with a forced smile. When he spoke, all the niceties were gone, replaced by an edge that stood the hairs on Julia’s neck. “Yes, quite tragic. I’m afraid I’d already committed to supporting the charity event the Candlelight is hosting tonight. Of course, I considered cancelling given the circumstances, however, this charity meant the world
to Eliza, and I’m certain she would want me to be here.”

  “How wonderful of you to go on in her memory. Speaking of honoring the Lady Eliza, might I ask you just a few questions, Lord Withers?”

  “I don’t suppose now is just the time for such matters, Miss Barlow.”

  She followed his gaze to see where he looked and saw that he was not even bothering to hide his leering gestures at the two young women he’d arrived with.

  “I’ll be just a moment, Lord Withers, I assure you. Your business dealings with Sidney Guinness, would you say that deal ended at his behest or yours?”

  “A good business man does not reveal details about his affairs. However, I will say should you find yourself in a position to negotiate a deal with Sidney Guinness…well, I would advise that you not. The fellow backed out at the last minute. It’s no matter, I’ve found another business partner and it will work out quite nicely in my favor that Sidney changed his mind.”

  “I’m pleased to hear that you’ve landed on your feet, Lord Withers. Do you have any idea what Mr. Guinness’ motivation for backing out of your business arrangement was?”

  “Only that he’d decided not to invest with us and to use his capitol elsewhere. As I said, his loss.”

  “I’m sure you’re right, Lord Withers. Forgive me for being so bold, but how are you recovering from your time in theatre?”

  He looked shocked at the change of questioning. “The war has been over for three years, young lady. Only yesterday we were celebrating Armistice Day. That was a different life and one I’d not care to speak of.”

  “Certainly, forgive me.” Julia watched the bartender set the drinks for Philip and company on the bar top and knew she was just about out of time to squeeze more information from Philip Withers. She’d have to make it count. “I wonder if you believe that your dear wife’s tragic end was related in some way to Armistice Day or if you feel it just a coincidence that she passed on this holiday?”