Page 91 of Murder at the Mayfair Hotel

“Peter left a message with Scotland Yard for your father. I really am coming with you to see my uncle. There ought to be a witness present.”

He grunted. “I would prefer an impartial one, but you’ll have to do.”

Uncle Ronald looked up from his desk when we entered and scowled. “What are you doing here, Armitage?”

“I know who the silverware thief is.”

Uncle Ronald paused then returned the pen to the inkstand. “And you want your position back in exchange for telling me, is that it? You’re manipulating me?”

Mr. Armitage’s eyes darkened. “I don’t want my position back. I have no interest in working at the hotel again. It’s time I moved on. In fact, I should thank you for giving me the push I needed, although your timing could have been better. My uncle is run off his feet.”

“He brought that on himself.” Uncle Ronald looked to me. “Cleo, why are you here?”

“I want to hear what Mr. Armitage has to say.”

He indicated we should sit. I did, Mr. Armitage didn’t. “So who is the thief?” Uncle Ronald asked.

“Mrs. Kettering,” Mr. Armitage said. “She’s been hiding the silverware somewhere on the fifth floor until she can smuggle it safely out of the hotel. All we have to do is catch her in the act.”

Uncle Ronald smoothed his moustache with his thumb and forefinger. “Are you sure it’s her?”

“Almost, but I prefer to catch her in the act of moving the stolen goods before I accuse her.”

Uncle Ronald nodded. “And I suppose you want me to hire you to catch her?”

“I’ll do this task for you gratis, if you stop punishing my uncle.”

“I’m not punishing him.”

“Then let him know you forgive him.”

“But I don’t.”

“Pretend,” Mr. Armitage all but growled.

Uncle Ronald stroked his moustache again. “I can order one of the staff to watch Mrs. Kettering. I don’t need to hire you, gratis or not.”

Mr. Armitage blew out an exasperated breath.

“He is the best choice,” I said to Uncle Ronald. “All the staff are currently too busy to be taken away from their regular duties. Besides, Mr. Armitage is very good at talking his way out of tricky situations. If Mrs. Kettering spots him following her, he’ll think of something to deflect her suspicions.”

Uncle Ronald’s gaze shifted to Mr. Armitage. “He is very good at lying.”

Mr. Armitage bristled. “Do you want to catch her or not?”

Uncle Ronald hesitated then nodded. “She’ll probably act tonight while the hotel is busy and everyone’s attention is focused on the ballroom. If anyone asks, say I’ve hired you back for the evening. That will give you a legitimate excuse to be here.”

“Thank you for your faith in my abilities, sir.”

“I never doubted your abilities, Armitage. You could have been manager one day.”

“He still can be,” I said, hopeful.

“No,” both men said at the same time.

I could say something about stubborn men, but it wouldn’t have achieved anything. I simply sighed and rose to leave.

“Did Cleo help you discover the culprit?” Uncle Ronald asked. “Is that why she’s here?”