Page 43 of The Sprinter
“Lady Featherstone,” he said, “I wondered if you would not rather switch places with me? I am at a table with the duke, and I know you to be old friends.”
The duke in question was the only duke present, the Duke of Stanbury, the duchess’ husband. Grace stared at Lord Gresham in some amazement. Why was he trying to rearrange things? Was he intending to move in to try to put Mr. Vance off?
He could not possibly be…well, it would verge on diabolical. Certainly, he would not go so far?
Lady Featherstone laughed and said, “I adore the duke, of course, but you could not drag me from this table, Gresham.” She glanced at Grace and Mr. Vance. “I have two bright young minds at my disposal and I shall require them! I am determined to prevail this year.”
Lord Gresham had nodded and wandered away. Had Grace been left to her own devices, she might have mulled over the mystery of Lord Gresham’s character for the next few hours, rather than any mystery Lord Ryland might present. As it was, her attention was captured elsewhere. Lord Ryland had dinged his glass to gain the crowd’s attention.
“Welcome, my esteemed guests,” he said, his powerful voice having no trouble being heard across the vast expanse of his dining room. “As my repeat visitors are all too aware, there is a little mystery tucked underneath your plate. As always, the prize will not be revealed until a solution has been found. I will only say that if you do not win it, you will be sorry you did not win it. Enjoy!”
Grace lifted her plate and pulled out the folded paper. Lady Featherstone had already applied a lorgnette to her eye and was scanning her own copy. Lord Mullhill nodded at her indulgently. They appeared to be longstanding acquaintances and he would no doubt understand Lady Featherstone’s deep desire to come out victorious.
Mr. Vance pretended to suppress a yawn for Grace’s amusement. “Speedily, Miss Yardley,” he said laughing. “You did promise speedily.”
Grace unfolded her paper and read the mystery.
On December 26 of this year, Mr. Robert Fortque, age 46, unmarried, was found dead in his office, with a half glass of wine at his elbow and a suicide note left on the desk. The wine was later discovered to contain massive doses of both arsenic and laudanum. The cause of death was initially ruled a suicide, but later changed to murder. Why did the investigators change their minds? Who killed Mr. Fortque? And why?
Mr. Fortque and Mr. Bernard Leslie, age 42, were longtime business partners in F & L Fine Goods, a venture that sold precious metal candlesticks, tea chests, and other household goods. The business has always been known for its quality of items, is located on Gracechurch Street, and is housed in a large building with other business tenants. Their company slogan is “The finest materials made to last.”
The two neighboring offices that shared walls with F & L were occupied by:
Mr. Charles Remel, age 32, clerk for Hasbron Accounting Service
Mrs. Ophelia Welk, age 55, married to the owner of Welk Housekeeping and Cleaning
F & L’s office was searched extensively with no relevant evidence coming to the fore. There were minimal paper records, the majority being held at the accounting service next door. Those accounting records were obtained and showed no inconsistencies or hints of mismanagement. Most of the items in the F & L office were boxes of products for sale. Despite the business’ claim of using only the finest materials, many of the items were cheaply plated.
The two neighbors, Mr. Remel and Mrs. Welk were interviewed extensively, as the walls between offices were thin and they did occasionally overhear voices at F & L. Mrs. Welk was interviewed multiple times on-site, while Mr. Remel was interviewed once on-site and subsequently interviewed in Devon, where he has since retired.
Both occupants of the adjacent offices tell a set of consistent facts. Neither had ever had a conversation with either partner of F & L. Mrs. Welk had no business with him and Mr. Remel had only been employed a month prior. Both often saw Mr. Leslie coming and going and he was perceived to be the manager of the operation. They saw Mr. Fortque very seldom, but they heard him through the walls often, as when he was there, he was very loud and often distressed. Mr. Fortque was by turns angry, despairing, hysterical, and inconsolable. During these events, the neighbors could not hear Mr. Leslie’s replies as he was apparently much more soft-spoken.
Mr. Fortque claimed he would commit suicide on at least two prior occasions, and it seemed his unhappiness was related to a lady he had asked to marry him, but who had declined. The last threat both neighbors heard was on the day of his death, when Mr. Fortque was heard to cry, “A lady has broken Robert Fortque’s heart and there is nothing left for me. I will end it all as a mercy to myself.” That was overheard early in the day, at approximately ten o’clock. Later, Mrs. Welk spied both gentlemen walking together to their office and presumed they had been out to lunch. At that time, Mr. Fortque did not appear distressed.
Neither of the neighbors overheard anything through the walls on that fateful late afternoon, though Mrs. Welk did see Mr. Leslie leave the premises near four o’clock. She did not see Mr. Fortque leave.
The investigators delved into Mr. Fortque’s personal life to determine if he had any enemies.
The lady in question, who allegedly broke Mr. Fortque’s heart, was never located and Mr. Leslie said he’d only been told her name was Miss Umbrell and that she was thirty-two.
Mr. Fortque was in an ongoing dispute with a Mayfair neighbor over a cockatoo who Mr. Fortque claimed was loud and disturbed his peace. According to the owner of the bird, Mr. Fortque had once threatened to strangle it, though at this time the bird remains living.
A nephew lived in Mr. Fortque’s house and is generally regarded as a ne’er-do-well. He has no income, does not work, and seems exceedingly fond of brandy. The nephew has not benefited from the will, though he appeared shocked to discover it. Mr. Fortque’s sister has inherited his very substantial estate, while Mr. Leslie will continue on as proprietor of the concern. Mr. Fortque’s sister, a Mrs. Clampion, and her husband were found living in Hertfordshire and claimed surprise at the inheritance, as Mr. Fortque and Mr. Clampion despised one another. The couple has since relocated to Mr. Fortque’s house in Mayfair and ousted Mr. Fortque’s nephew, who is their son. The son’s current whereabouts are unknown. Mrs. Clampion knew nothing of the mysterious Miss Umbrell, though she did believe that lady, or any other, would decline Mr. Fortque, as he had run to fat in recent years.
Who killed Mr. Fortque? Could it have been Mr. Leslie? Or perhaps it was the ne’er-do-well nephew who thought he’d inherit? Or maybe Mr. and Mrs. Clampion had known of the will after all? Or is it possible that the occupants of the neighboring offices, Mrs. Welk and Mr. Remel, colluded together for some reason? Or was there an unknown assailant with mysterious motives? Why does nobody know anything about Miss Umbrell?
Although the investigators concluded that this was a case of murder, it was not until they unraveled one particular thread that they were able to solve the case.
Unravel it too, if you can.
Lady Featherstone laid down her lorgnette decisively. “I really believe this is to be my year, indeed I do. I have already narrowed it down to two primary suspects. Do you wish to hear my theories?”
Lord Mullhill nodded, seeming to know that he would hear them whether he wished to or not.
“I am on tenterhooks, Lady Featherstone,” Mr. Vance said.
Grace gave him a scolding look and said, “Do tell us, Lady Featherstone.”
