Page 36 of Murder at the Mayfair Hotel

“Mr. Hobart knows about Danny?”

“Mr. Hobart knows everything about everyone in the hotel.”

“Have the police returned this morning?” I asked.

“The detective inspector came and spoke with Sir Ronald, Mr. Hobart and Mr. Armitage first thing, then left again.”

It was a relief that Danny was no longer a suspect; however, the sense of urgency to find the killer still ate at me. My uncle must be beside himself with worry. Having someone arrested had eased the minds of the guests, both those already here and those yet to check in. But once word got out that Danny had been released, fear would lead to cancellations. All it would take would be for the newspapers to report it, and the hotel’s reputation would be in tatters.

Harmony joined me at the desk, her duster flicking back and forth over the lampshade. “Will you continue with the investigation now?”

“I feel as though I’ve come too far to stop.”

“True. And there’s always the danger that they’ll arrest another innocent staff member.”

“What makes you think they’re all innocent? Perhaps one of themisthe murderer.”

She winced. “I don’t want to consider that possibility. I don’t even want Mrs. Kettering to be guilty of such a terrible crime. She’s a dragon and a bully, but she has a moral compass as straight as an arrow. If she did it, it means my judgement of character is far off course.”

I touched her hand. “You’ve proved to be an excellent judge of character so far. You were certainly right about Danny.”

Harmony and I parted ways outside my suite. I headed downstairs while she went to clean Floyd’s room. John the lift operator was in a good mood as he repeated what I already knew about Danny’s release.

As I passed Goliath in the foyer, pushing a trolley laden with trunks towards the door, he whispered, “Did you hear? Danny’s free.”

I caught Peter’s eye as he stood behind the counter, attending to a guest. He nodded and gave me a fleeting smile. The staff were certainly in a buoyant mood this morning. It didn’t seem to cross any of their minds that one of them could be arrested next.

I wasn’t sure who I hoped to find, only that I wanted to speak to someone more knowledgeable than Harmony. I’d considered talking to my uncle, but to be perfectly honest, I wished to avoid my uncle and aunt as much as possible. With him so busy, and her keeping to her room, it wouldn’t be difficult.

Or so I thought. The last person I expected to bump into was Uncle Ronald as he emerged from Mr. Hobart’s office.

“Cleo!” he said, sounding as surprised as I felt. “What are you doing here?”

“I wanted to ask Mr. Hobart something. Something about the hotel.”

“What is it? I can probably answer. I do know quite a bit about my hotel.”

“Er, yes. But this is about the ball.”

He drew in a breath. “The ball,” he muttered. “If it goes ahead, then you’re right to ask Mr. Hobart. He’s making all the arrangements.”

“Do you think it will be canceled because of the murder?”

“I’m hoping not, but it will require many telephone calls to friends and invited guests, reassuring them it’s quite safe.” He sighed heavily. “The police released the footman. While I’m pleased we haven’t hired a murderer, if the real culprit isn’t arrested soon, the ball will be in jeopardy. Perhaps even the hotel itself.”

Was the hotel so financially unstable that a shake of its reputation could bring it down?

“I’m sure the murderer will be found soon,” I assured him.

“Does your interest in the ball mean you’ll be attending if it goes ahead? Flossy will be pleased.”

“I’m still undecided,” I said. “I hoped Aunt Lilian could guide me.”

His thick moustache settled into a frown. “It’s best not to trouble your aunt today,” he muttered. “If you’ll excuse me, I have a lot of work to do.”

He headed off through the foyer. I knocked on Mr. Hobart’s door and entered upon his word.

“I hope I’m not disturbing you,” I said.