‘Did he tell you anything about his work?’ he said.
‘He told me lots, Inspector. Riding was everything to John. He wanted to be a jockey like Ned. He worked somewhere in Ireland but they wouldn’t let him ride. They said he’d never make a jockey and it really hurt John. He came to England to prove himself.’
‘Do you know the name of the stables in Ireland?’
‘Oh, yes,’ she said. ‘I wrote letters to a friend of his there.’
‘Jerry Doyle?’
She blinked in surprise. ‘How do you know that?’
‘I spoke to him while I was in Dublin,’ said Colbeck. ‘He showed me the letters – you have nice handwriting, Miss Rimmer.’
‘Thank you, sir – I was taught to read and write proper.’
‘In one of the letters, John said that he’d met someone very special but he didn’t give your name.’ She blushed visibly. ‘You did him a great favour in writing on his behalf.’
‘John wanted to learn to do it himself. I said I’d teach him.’
‘That was very kind of you.’
‘I’d do anything for John,’ she affirmed.
‘Did he have any enemies at the stables?’
‘No, he got on very well with everyone, Inspector.’
‘That was the impression I got when I spoke to some of the other grooms. John Feeny had fitted in very well. He had prospects.’
‘He did,’ she said, ‘and he was about to come into some money.’
‘Really?’
‘I was the only person he told. He wouldn’t even tell people like his uncle or Ned Kyle about it. But he told me,’ she went on. ‘We had no secrets from each other, you see.’
‘And where was this money to come from?’
‘A man he’d met.’
‘What did John have to do to get it?’
‘He had to give him as much information as he could about Limerick Lad – that’s the Irish horse in the Derby.’
‘Yes, I know.’
‘John was to see this man somewhere and be paid to talk about the stables where he’d worked. He owed no loyalty to Mr Dowd, the trainer,’ she insisted. ‘He only held John back. Besides, John was working for Mr Stenton and wanted Merry Legs to win the Derby.’
‘Did John say when and where he’d meet this man?’
‘No, Inspector.’
‘Did he give you the man’s name?’
‘John didn’t know it.’
‘What did he tell you about him?’ Colbeck pressed.
‘Only that he was a gentleman and offered a lot of money.’
‘Was he English or Irish?’
‘Oh, English,’ she said, ‘and he knew a lot about racing. John told me he was very nice at first but he did threaten him once.’
‘Really?’
‘When he gave John a job, Mr Stenton warned him that he wasn’t to speak to anyone – anyone at all – outside the stables about what went on there. People are always trying to bribe the grooms and jockeys for information. John swore that he’d say nothing,’ she said. ‘When this man first got in touch with him, John thought it might be best if he said nothing at all to him – not even about a rival stables. It was then the man made his threat.’
‘What did he threaten?’
‘He told John he had a choice,’ she recalled. ‘He could either talk about Limerick Lad and earn his reward, or, if he refused, then he’d lose his job because Mr Stenton would be told where John used to work in Ireland. John had to agree, Inspector,’ she said fervently. ‘He was afraid that if he lost his job, he’d lose me as well. Besides, he needed the money. So he agreed to do what the man asked.’
‘Thank you, Miss Rimmer,’ said Colbeck, watching a tear trickle down her cheek. ‘You’ve been very helpful.’
‘Can I ask you a question now, sir?’
‘Of course.’
‘How was John killed?’
Robert Colbeck took a deep breath before speaking.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Madeleine Andrews was busy in the kitchen when she heard a knock on the front door. Since her father sometimes forgot to take his key with him, she assumed that it was he and went to let him in. Before she did so, however, she decided that it might be safer to see who was outside first. Tugging the curtain back an inch, she peered out into the gloom then let out a cry of joy. Silhouetted against a gas lamp was the familiar figure of Robert Colbeck. She opened the door at once and gave him a radiant smile.
‘I was hoping you were still up,’ he said, stepping into the house and embracing her. ‘I was relieved to see the light still on.’
‘I was waiting for Father. I have to cook his supper.’
‘Mr Andrews had better come soon.’
‘Why is that?’
‘It’s just starting to rain. I felt the first few spots as I got out of the cab. We’re in for a downpour.’
‘Father doesn’t mind a drop of rain,’ she said, shutting the front door. ‘He’s used to being out in all weathers. But how are you?’ she went on, standing back to take a good look at him. ‘And how is the investigation going?’
Colbeck whisked off his hat. ‘I’m fine, Madeleine,’ he said. ‘As for the investigation, we continue to gather evidence.’
‘Are you close to arresting someone yet?’
‘No, but we’re eliminating possible suspects one by one.’
‘Father still insists that it’s a crime of passion.’
‘In one sense, he’s right – it was certainly instigated by someone who has a passion for horseracing.’ An amusing thought struck him. ‘Perhaps we should change places.’
‘Who?’
‘Your father and I.’
Madeleine laughed. ‘What a ridiculous idea!’
‘Is it?’ he asked. ‘Mr Andrews clearly has a detective’s instinct and I’ve always wanted to be an engine driver.’
‘I think you’re both far better off doing the jobs you have.’
‘Perhaps you’re right – but what about you, Madeleine? How is your work going?’
‘I’ve all but finished my latest commission.’ She took him across to her easel and indicated the painting. ‘It’s a Crampton locomotive.’
‘I can see that,’ he said, recognising the distinctive features of Thomas Crampton’s design. ‘What puzzles me is why so few of them were made for this country and so many for France. When I crossed the Channel last year, I twice travelled on trains that were pulled by a locomotive just like that.’ He shot her a look of mock suspicion. ‘Don’t tell me you’re going to export this to France as well?’
‘Not unless the French start drinking tea.’
‘Tea?’
‘That’s where this may end up, Robert – on a tea caddy. It’s a design they want to put on hundreds of them. They intend to sell them at railway stations.’
‘I’d certainly buy one.’
She giggled and he leant forward to give her a kiss. When they sat beside each other, he put his top hat on her head in fun and it dropped down to her ears. They laughed as she took it off and set it aside. Not having seen her for a while, Colbeck was so pleased to be close to her again, reminded of all the things that had attracted him to Madeleine Andrews in the first place. Her vitality was a positive tonic to him. But he did not forget the main purpose of his visit.
‘Do you remember what I asked you?’ he said.
She responded eagerly. ‘About helping in the investigation?’
‘Yes, Madeleine – I may need to call on you now.’
‘That’s wonderful!’
‘You haven’t heard what I want you to do yet. I spent a long time at the stables owned by Hamilton Fido today. Then I was driven to an inn called the Shepherd and Shepherdess.’
Colbeck went on to tell her about his meeting with Bonny Rimmer and how devastated she had been by the news about John Feeny. Madeleine was sure that he had been as considerate as always when passing on bad tidings but there was no way that even he could have softened the blow on this occasion.