Death at Dinner

by L. A. Nisula

  “I am very sorry for your loss, but I do have to ask some questions so I can find out the truth.” He leaned forward. “What did you see?”

  “We all sat down. Mr. Ainsworth was going to speak to Mr. Sharma, but Mr. Sharma was busy with Miss Carrollton. I suppose that was to be expected; they’re trying to make a match there. Then they started serving dinner. There was a new butler, I noticed that. And there was a new maid who helped him when he was too drunk to carry the tray himself.” She stared at her cup. “I’m not sure if that’s what you’re interested in.”

  “I’m not sure yet either, so I’m interested in all of it.” When Mrs. Delford didn’t say anything else, he went on.

  “Was it normal for you to be invited to a business dinner like this?”

  “Oh yes, Mr. Ainsworth didn’t have anyone else to bring, and I think he liked to have an extra set of ears to compare notes with later.”

  “And what was this dinner about?”

  “I don’t know, really. He didn’t say.”

  “Was that unusual?”

  “I suppose so. I assumed it had to do with Mr. Sharma and the merger, but when we got here, Mr. Sharma spoke to Miss Carrollton the whole time, so I really don’t know.”

  “But normally he told you what a dinner like this was about?”

  “Normally I arranged it.”

  “But not this one?”

  “No, he told me about it yesterday. It had been Mr. Carrollton’s idea, I think.”

  “And Mr. Carrollton suggested his pills immediately after Mr. Ainsworth collapsed. Did the symptoms seem consistent with his illness?”

  “There weren’t really any symptoms, not that I saw. He just collapsed. If I’d seen any sign that his heart was giving him trouble, I would have given him the pills at once. If there had been any signs—” She nearly dropped her cup, but caught it before it spilled. “I’d have given him the pills.”

  “Would his heart condition have shown symptoms?”

  “Oh yes, shortness of breath, usually.”

  “And he did not show that sign?”

  “No, he did not. He just collapsed on the table.” She dabbed at her eyes again.

  “And Mr. Carrollton knew that you had his pills?”

  “Yes, yes. I kept them for him. He would forget if I didn’t keep track of them.”

  “What were they for?”

  “He had a heart condition. The pills were to be taken if there was an acute attack.”

  “And did other people know about his condition? For example, the other people at the table?”

  “I had to remind him about the pills quite often to make certain he had them when he went out. Anyone could have heard me mention them.”

  “And the specifics?”

  “Mr. Carrollton knew about his condition, of course. Possibly his niece, she was at several of these dinner parties. Mr. Warland may have overheard it discussed.”

  “Did it look like one of his attacks to you?”

  “I suppose so. I wasn’t really paying attention, you see. If I had...”

  “It would most likely have turned out the same, I’m afraid. What were you looking at?”

  “As I said, Mr. Sharma and Miss Carrollton were talking. I was the only other woman at the table, so I felt it was my duty to chaperone them.”

  “And were they saying anything that needed chaperoning?”

  “No, they were mostly discussing music.”

  “And then?”

  “And then he collapsed on the table and we all... we all...”

  “And Mr. Carrollton asked for the pills.”

  “Exactly. I was trying to remember if the doctor said they could be dissolved. I didn’t know how else I’d be able to administer them. And then Mr. Carrollton...”

  I was getting ready to go forward and fix Mrs. Delford another cup to distract her, but Inspector Hamilton beat me to it with his own distraction.

  “I’ll need to have access to his files, his office.”

  Mrs. Delford pulled herself together. “Certainly. There will be some issues of client confidentiality, of course.”

  “Of course. I’d also like a client list, with special attention to anyone whom he might have had problems with: an important case lost, unpaid bills, anything like that. If you could prepare one, I’ll pick it up when I call in at the office.”

  “Of course.” Mrs. Delford picked up her handkerchief like she was ready to leave.

  “Can you think of anyone who would want to get rid of Mr. Ainsworth?”

  “Oh no, everyone liked him.”

  “Any business matters that have gone wrong? Cases that might have caused resentment?”

  Mrs. Delford shook her head. “He was well liked and good at his job.” She picked up her teacup then put it down at once as her hand was shaking so badly she nearly spilled it.

  I saw Inspector Hamilton’s gaze go to the cup as well. “Very well. If you would give me an address where I can reach you when I have a better idea of what I’m looking for.”

  Mrs. Delford pulled her handbag from under the table and took out a calling card.

  “Thank you. If you would join Miss Carrollton in the study and wait until I’ve finished with everyone. You’ll find Constable Fulton there. I would appreciate it if you would tell him to fetch Mr Sharma for me.”

  “Certainly.”

  “If you think of anything at all, even if it doesn’t seem helpful, here is my card. I will be stopping by Mr. Ainsworth’s office to look around soon.”

  “I’ll let them know to expect you.” Mrs. Delford ran from the room with her teacup still in her hand.

  Mr. Sharma entered the room almost as soon as Mrs. Delford had left. I realized Inspector Hamilton must have already told Constable Fulton the order in which he wanted to question everyone, and the constable had set everything up in advance. Mr. Sharma scanned the room. His gaze paused on me, then kept on drifting until he found Inspector Hamilton behind his chair.

  “So I am next?”

  “You are next. Please take a seat.”

  Mr. Sharma sat in the chair indicated.

  “Help yourself to the tea.”

  Mr. Sharma fixed himself a cup. “I can’t remember the last time I drank this much tea. But I suppose it does give one something to do with one’s hands.”

  Inspector Hamilton flashed a small smile. “I suppose it does.” He gave Mr. Sharma a chance to prepare his cup, then asked, “How did you know Mr. Ainsworth?”

  “Casually, through my business dealings with Mr. Carrollton’s company.”

  “Do you know why you were invited to this dinner party?”

  “To look at Miss Carrollton, I assume. Don’t look so shocked, Inspector; Mr. Carrollton didn’t put it that way, but I believe that was the motive.”

  “And how did he put it?”

  “A chance to get to know each other outside of the restraints of business.”

  “And that’s a good thing?”

  “He wishes our companies to form a partnership. He thinks a marriage would help seal the deal.”

  “And you?”

  “On the surface, the partnership seemed a good idea, but when I looked more closely at the books, I realized his company was not on sound footing, or at least not as sound as he made it seem.”

  “So the deal’s off?”

  “It was never far enough along to be on, but Mr. Carrollton told me he would be making some changes. I was willing to see what they were before I rejected him outright.”

  “What did you know about Mr. Ainsworth?”

  “Only that he was Mr. Carrollton’s solicitor.”

  “Had you met him before tonight?”

  “Yes, of course. He was present at all of the negotiations, but he did not speak. I believe he took notes, copious notes of everything that was said.”

  “What did you think of him?”

  “I didn’t think of him. He was there, an employee who did his job very well, but nothing more. I had the
impression he wanted it that way. Probably made it easier to catch people in half-truths.”

  “And what did you think of Miss Carrollton?”

  Mr. Sharma shrugged. “Pretty but flighty, or pretending to be. A nice girl, but I do not think she is the wife for me.”

  Inspector Hamilton nodded. “You’re being very polite about it.”

  “It’s not her fault. Arranged marriages are common in both our families.”

  “And yet you’re annoyed.”

  Mr. Sharma smiled. “I can’t help feeling it is an attempt to manipulate me. To blind me with her charms so I will not see the faults in the other half of the arrangement, namely the business. Yes, I resented it a little that they thought I would be so easily led, but it is easy enough to say ‘no’ to an engagement. Or more accurately, as I am the one who would have to ask for her hand, to simply not ask.”

  Inspector Hamilton nodded and scribbled. “Please describe what you saw when the—incident—occurred.”

  Mr. Sharma sipped his tea before he answered. “The soup had just been served. Miss Carrollton was talking to me about her old governess. Apparently they gave the woman a very difficult time, and she found the memory amusing. Mr. Ainsworth gasped and clutched at the tablecloth, then fell forward.”

  “You saw him fall?”

  “No, I was speaking to Miss Carrollton. I was facing her.”

  “Then how do you know that’s what happened?”

  “I heard him gasp. I saw the cloth move when he clutched at it. And I heard the wine glass break as it fell. I turned in time to see him convulsing.”

  “What did you do then?”

  “I did not know what had happened. I thought he had been taken ill. Mr. Carrollton took charge. He asked me to tend to his niece, who had pretended to faint, then he ordered Mrs. Delford to get his pills. I was focused on Miss Carrollton when Mr. Carrollton declared him dead. He asked me to take the ladies to the drawing room. I carried Miss Carrollton there and put her on the settee and then asked Mrs. Delford to tend to her. She, Mrs. Delford, was very upset. I thought it might distract her.”

  “What sort of pills were they?”

  “I don’t know. I never saw them.”

  “But you knew about them?”

  “Yes, I’d never seen him take them, but Mrs. Delford was always very careful to have them with her if they went out, or that he had them if he went without her.”

  “So it was common knowledge that he had them?”

  “It seemed to be.”

  “Do you know what they were for?”

  “That sort of thing is normally for the heart, isn’t it?”

  Inspector Hamilton ignored that and went on. “And how did you know Miss Carrollton was faking her faint?”

  He smiled. “It was rather obvious. She watched herself fall.”

  Inspector Hamilton smiled. “That’s all the questions I have for now. If you would leave an address where you can be reached, you can join the others.”

  Mr. Sharma pulled out his card and wrote a line on the back. “I am staying at the Prescott Guest House on Richmond Terrace near Westminster while I’m in London. I plan to be in town until the end of the month.”

  Inspector Hamilton put the card in his notebook. Mr. Sharma took his tea with him as he left the room. “Mr. Warland next, Constable.”

  Mr. Warland eyed Mr. Sharma as they passed in the doorway. "You shouldn't trust anything he says."

  Inspector Hamilton gestured to the empty chair. "And why do you say that?"

  Mr. Warland sat down. "He's a tricky one, that's all."

  "What makes you say that?"

  Mr. Warland started fiddling with the book on the table. Inspector Hamilton glanced back at the tea-tray. I took the hint and prepared a cup.

  "He just is. Tricky. Doesn't say what he means."

  I started to bring the cup to Mr. Warland, but Inspector Hamilton twitched his finger. I couldn't tell if it was meant to be a gesture to wait, but it could have been, so I pretended to stir the tea.

  Mr. Warland started to fiddle with his cuff. "He came here to make a deal with Mr. Carrollton; now he wants out of it, and he's making up all kinds of lies to give himself an excuse."

  "What kinds of lies?"

  "About the books. He says they don't add up. But there can't be anything wrong with them. I'm sure there isn't.” Mr. Warland looked up. Inspector Hamilton was still leaning back in his chair, watching him. Mr. Warland sat up a little straighter. "I mean, Mr. Carrollton is an honest man and runs an honest company. It has to be lies. Next he'll be saying things about Miss Carrollton, and her reputation might never recover."

  Inspector Hamilton glanced back at me. I brought the teacup to Mr. Warland.

  "And what did you think of Mr. Ainsworth?"

  Mr. Warland took the cup from me. "He was a competent solicitor. Mr. Carrollton always seemed pleased with his work."

  "And your dealings with him?"

  "I just handled the letters back and forth between them. I didn't really talk to him unless he wanted to schedule a meeting.” Mr. Warland sipped his tea and made a face. I suspected he was used to being offered something stronger at meetings.

  Inspector Hamilton looked down at his notebook. "What did you see when the Mr. Ainsworth was stricken?"

  Mr. Warland gulped some more tea. "I wasn't looking at him when it happened. Sharma was trying to impress Miss Carrollton. I was ready to step in if she needed assistance."

  Inspector Hamilton turned a page in his notebook. "Did you hear anything?"

  "Just a lot of screaming. I turned and saw him lying there."

  "And then?"

  "Well, Mr. Carrollton was in charge, of course. He asked me to phone you lot, so I went down to the front hall where the telephone is and tried, but the line was dead as old Ain— It was dead, so I went back upstairs to offer to run out and find someone. I figured one of you fellows would be walking around somewhere. Mr. Carrollton said the weather was too beastly and to keep trying the phone. So I sat by the phone and tried it every few minutes. Eventually, it started working, and I placed the call."

  "Did you notice anything while you were waiting?"

  Mr. Warland shrugged. "I could hear people walking around upstairs. That butler was around. I think he went into the front parlor. I think someone else went through the front hall, but I didn't look out."

  "Very well. If you would give me a card or something with an address where you can be reached in town then join the others in the study."

  Mr. Warland pulled out one of his cards and put it on the table with his teacup then left without another word.

  Inspector Hamilton picked up the card and the cup. He put the card in his notebook and the teacup back on the tray. "Mr. Carrollton next, Constable."

  Mr. Carrollton nodded to Inspector Hamilton as he entered the room. He sat in the larger armchair without being asked. I saw Inspector Hamilton’s mouth twitch, but he didn’t say anything about it. He took up a position by the fireplace. “I’m sorry to make you wait so long. I wanted to get some of the other questioning out of the way before I spoke to you.”

  “Of course, I’ll do whatever I can to clear up any confusion.”

  “Most kind of you. If you would start by telling me what happened.”

  “Surely you figured it out; my solicitor collapsed at dinner.”

  Inspector Hamilton’s mouth twitched again, but this time I could tell that he was amused. “I’m afraid I wasn’t very clear. I wanted to know what you saw and heard. Your impression of the event.”

  “Oh yes, I see. Well, the servants had just brought the soup around. Ainsworth was telling me about some fine points of fishing when he collapsed.”

  “So you had no warning?”

  Mr. Carrollton shook his head. “No, nothing. One second he was talking about lures, the next he was face down on the table.”

  “Had he eaten any of the soup?”

  Mr. Carrollton paused. “I don’t really know. You d
on’t really watch people eat, do you?”

  “But he ate the other courses?”

  “Oh yes, he loves my cook’s meals.”

  “And you?”

  “She’s a fine—”

  Inspector Hamilton pretended not to notice. “Did you have the soup?”

  “Yes. And the mousse, and whatever little kickshaws she started with. So did everyone.”

  “Not that you noticed them eating.”

  “Well, no.”

  “And after he collapsed? Then what happened?”

  “My niece screamed and fainted. She’s a very sensitive girl. I asked Mrs. Delford to get his pills, then I went to loosen his collar and realized it was too late. He had no pulse, and he wasn’t breathing. Mrs. Delford was very upset, of course. So I asked Mr. Sharma to take the ladies into the drawing room and Mr. Warland, my secretary, to phone Scotland Yard. Then I had Ross help me move the body.”

  “Why did you do that?”

  “I couldn’t have a body at my dining table. We eat there. Every one of them will be my guests again. I couldn’t let them return to that table with the vision of him slumped over the soup.”

  “Very sensitive of you.”

  “Not good from your point of view, I suppose. I did keep the food.”

  “Yes, that will help, but why? And why call us and not a doctor?”

  “Well, he was dead. There wasn’t anything a doctor could do. And aren’t you who we’re supposed to call when someone dies?”

  “And preserving the food that everyone ate?”

  “You said it would be helpful to you.”

  Inspector Hamilton turned so he was looking directly at Mr. Carrollton. “Those are all actions one takes when murder is suspected. Why did you suspect murder?”

  “I didn’t. Not really.”

  “Then why did you act as if you did?”

  “I had to do something.”

  “Why?”

  “Everything I tell you is in confidence, correct?”

  “I can’t make promises, but I won’t say anything unless I absolutely need to.”

  “I suppose that will do. I am involved in delicate negotiations with Mr. Sharma about merging our companies. He has been getting cold feet since he came to England. I wanted him to see that I was taking this seriously.”