Page 44 of A Whisper at Midnight
“You think she was stealing Mrs. Chambers’ jewelry?” Teague asked.
Tilda lifted a shoulder. “I’m only collecting information at this point. I have not yet made any deductions. There is something else you should know. Louis Chambers was intimate with Clara Hicks, the maid, when she began working here six years ago. That continued until he wed Beryl.”
Teague’s mouth twisted into a brief expression of disgust. “Does Clara harbor ill will toward Chambers?”
“Not with regard to their relationship, as far as I could tell,” Tilda replied. “However, Clara was upset to learn of Chambers’ abuse of Beryl. She said Beryl was better off without him.”
“Well, I think many of us can probably come to the same conclusion. Chambers was not a pleasant man. The number of people who wouldn’t mind his death continues to grow.” Teague blew out a breath. “Thank you for sharing that with me. I don’t suppose there is anything else you learned that you think I should know?”
In the interest of moving himself further down the list of people who weren’t upset about Chambers’ death, Hadrian would have liked to tell Teague what he’d seen in his visions, but he could not. Instead, he and Tilda would work to find evidence to support what he’d seen. He could, however, share what he’d learned from the ledgers. “I looked through Louis Chambers’ ledger yesterday.”
“Ah, yes, so did one of the constables,” Teague said with a nod. “I’m aware of the payments to Pollard and then lack of payments.”
“And of the payment of twenty pounds to Oliver Chambers?” Hadrian asked.
“Yes. He is the new investor in Pollard’s drapery shop.”
Hadrian exchanged a look with Tilda. “Did Pollard tell you that yesterday?”
“Reluctantly,” Teague said wryly. “When I asked why he was hesitant to share this news, he said he was worried it would cast suspicion on Oliver. Pollard went on to say that Oliver had approached him weeks ago with an offer to join in the business. Oliver knew his brother wasn’t holding up his financial promises—Pollard explained that Louis hadn’t been keeping up with his investment.”
“I am most curious as to why Chambers was suddenly unable to continue his payments to Pollard,” Tilda remarked.
“And why did he give his brother Oliver twenty pounds?” Hadrian mused. “Beryl thinks it was perhaps due to Oliver leaving his job as a curate. Louis may have just wanted to help him.”
Teague stroked his jaw. “How did Louis Chambers even come up with twenty pounds when he was failing to meet his financial commitment to Pollard?”
“I think I know where he was getting the money,” Tilda said. “Mrs. Chambers is missing nine pieces of jewelry. They began todisappear in December. She believes her husband stole them.” Frowning, Tilda added, “Though if he was stealing them and selling them, why wasn’t he then paying Pollard?”
Teague inclined his head. “A very good question. Presumably, he partnered with Pollard knowing he had the money to invest.”
“Unless he didn’t. Perhaps he was gambling to make money?” Hadrian suggested.
“That is possible,” Tilda said vaguely. “I would like to better understand Chambers’ financial situation—how he spent money and how much he had to begin with.”
“His father founded a successful engineering firm,” Hadrian said. “He was the second son of a large landowner in Hertfordshire. From what I understand, they have considerable wealth.”
Teague scrutinized him a moment. “How do you know all that?”
“I was curious who my fiancée chose to marry instead of me,” he responded with more derision than he probably ought.
“If Chambers’ family has a great deal of money, why was he struggling to pay Pollard?” Teague asked. “I’ll speak to his brothers. I have not yet interviewed them as thoroughly as I would like. The elder brother, Daniel, was too upset. And now the inquest is upon us. I should get to the pub. I’ll see you there soon.”
Teague departed, leaving Tilda and Hadrian in the entrance hall. “That’s a shame about the maid,” Hadrian said quietly.
“Yes,” Tilda agreed. “I am most eager to visit the lodging house where she died.”
Beryl walked into the entrance hall. She wore a modest black gown. “I didn’t realize you’d arrived.” Her nose and eyes were red.
“Teague let us in,” Hadrian said. “We’re so sorry to hear about your former maid.”
“It’s so shocking, especially after Louis.” Beryl dabbed a handkerchief to her nose and sniffed.
Tilda looked at Beryl with sympathy. “I wonder if we might move to the parlor. I’m afraid I have more news to share.”
Beryl blinked away tears. “I’m not sure I can withstand anything else.”
“You will hear it at the inquest,” Hadrian said gently. “We thought it may be best if you learned of it beforehand. No one has died,” Hadrian added, hoping to reassure her.