Page 37 of Murder at the Mayfair Hotel

“Not at all.” He indicated a chair opposite his desk. “How may I help you?”

There was no subtle way of getting answers to my questions so I decided to be direct. “I have a terribly curious nature,” I began. “I hoped you would satisfy my curiosity about Danny’s release.”

He removed his spectacles and folded the arms with slow, precise movements. “Murder is not the sort of subject that should interest a young lady,” he said carefully.

“I am not an ordinary young lady.”

That brought a smile to his face, one that seemed unguarded. It was the first time I’d seen a chink in his professional armor.

Still, he required more encouragement. “I’m used to having my mind engaged, you see. In Cambridge, I would attend lectures at the university, and I belonged to several societies where members would discuss the latest theories on all sorts of matters. Moving here has cut me off from all my former activities.”

“You’re bored. Is that what you’re saying, Miss Fox?”

“I suppose I am.” It wasn’t far from the truth. Since arriving in London, my days had been occupied with learning about my new home and the murder. Once it was solved, I would need something else to do.

“There are societies in London that you can join. Harry will give you a list, if you like.”

“He knows which societies accept women?”

There was that smile again. “He will find out for you.”

“That’s very kind, but I’m sure Mr. Armitage has a great deal of work at the moment, with preparing for the ball. Uncle Ronald says it’s still going ahead.”

Mr. Hobart picked up his spectacles. “We’re proceeding as if it is.”

“So, may I ask you some questions about the murder?”

“What makes you think I know anything?”

“I suspect your brother confides in you.”

“Don’t be so certain. At this point, I’m probably a suspect too.” He smiled as he put on his glasses. “Very well. Go on, Miss Fox, I’ll see if I can answer your questions. We can’t have your brain shrinking from lack of use.”

“Thank you, Mr. Hobart. All of my questions relate to poison. Since none was found in the chocolate pot or cup, does the inspector know how Mrs. Warrick ingested it? Did the police test the teacup delivered the following morning by the maid?”

“It was also negative for poison. Tests are also being undertaken on a bottle of tonic, tube of toothpaste, and a pot of face cream removed by the police from Mrs. Warrick’s room.”

“What type of poison was used?”

“Mercuric cyanide.”

Mercury was commonly used in agriculture and industry, and wasn’t difficult to obtain. That was the extent of my knowledge.

“Nothing else was delivered to Mrs. Warrick’s room that night?” I asked.

He shook his head. “I checked with the staff myself. Mrs. Warrick received nothing else from the hotel kitchen between the time Danny delivered the hot chocolate and Edith brought Mrs. Warrick’s tea at seven the following morning.”

“She died between three and six, so the doctor said. Does your brother have faith that it’s an accurate estimation?”

“He claims the science for estimating the time of death is quite good. It means Danny’s delivery was too early, and Edith was too late. I admit I’m relieved it’s neither of them.”

“Does your brother suspect anyone else on the staff?”

“He hasn’t confided that to me, and nor would he. He knows I’ll advocate for them. At least, he knowsnow,after arresting poor Danny.”

If he advocated loudly for his staff, how loud would he be if he discovered his nephew were guilty? Then again, Mr. Armitage’s own father wouldn’t arrest him.

“So the poison must have been in the tonic, toothpaste or face cream,” I said.