‘Oh?’ Dowd was curious. ‘What was he doing there?’
‘We had a report of a crime that took place last night.’
‘Indeed?’
‘Lord Hendry’s painting of Odysseus was stolen,’ said Leeming. ‘Other things may have been taken as well, for all I know, but it was the loss of the painting that sent the inspector haring over there.’
‘I’ll be interested to hear what transpired.’
They picked their way through the crowd. Races were not due to begin for a couple of hours yet but Epsom Downs were already submerged beneath a rippling sea of humanity. The noise was deafening and the buzz of excitement was almost tangible. The two men chatted about the races on the day’s card and Dowd recommended a bet on one of his own horses, Quicklime, in the last event of the day. As they got near the grandstand, they saw Robert Colbeck waiting at the appointed place. After an exchange of greetings, the inspector looked enquiringly at Leeming. The sergeant shook his head.
‘There are no problems at the stables, sir. Odysseus is fine.’
‘Thank you, Victor,’ said Colbeck.
‘What’s this about a painting being stolen?’ asked Dowd.
‘It was taken in the night, sir. Lord Hendry is heartbroken.’
‘Don’t look to me for sympathy. It was rash of him to have a portrait of his horse painted before the race was even run. That was tempting Fate. But I’m surprised that anyone was out and about last night,’ he went on. ‘That storm should have kept everyone indoors.’
‘Unfortunately,’ said Colbeck, ‘it kept the dogs indoors or they would have been guarding the house.’
‘It’s not a disaster,’ said Leeming. ‘Lord Hendry could always have another portrait painted.’
‘Only if Odysseus wins the Derby,’ said Dowd waspishly, ‘and you’d have a better chance of doing that, Sergeant.’
‘Then why is Odysseus still the favourite?’
‘Wonders never cease.’
‘Limerick Lad has dropped back slightly in the betting.’
‘That suits me – we get better odds. But you must congratulate your sergeant,’ said Dowd, turning to Colbeck. ‘I watched him catch a couple of pickpockets in the crowd just now.’
‘Well done, Victor,’ said Colbeck. ‘You always had sharp eyes.’
Leeming shrugged. ‘I just happened to be in the right place, sir.’
‘That’s an essential part of policing.’
‘I hope you’re both in the right place when it comes to catching John Feeny’s killer,’ said Dowd earnestly. ‘I want to know who that merciless bastard is.’
‘So do the rest of us, sir.’
‘Well, I must be off – don’t forget what I told you, Sergeant.’
‘Quicklime in the last race,’ said Leeming.
‘Tim Maguire is riding him.’
‘Then I’ll be sure to put a bet on him. Goodbye, Mr Dowd.’ They waved the Irishman off. ‘I’m glad I saw him this morning.’
‘He was in a better mood than when we last met,’ said Colbeck.
‘You didn’t accuse him of lying this time, Inspector.’
‘That’s true.’
‘What happened at Lord Hendry’s house?’
Colbeck told him about his visit and how profoundly depressed the owner had been at the theft of his beloved painting. The piece of information that Leeming seized on was the suggestion that a woman might be implicated in the crime.
‘Did you get her name, Inspector?’
‘Only after a long battle,’ said Colbeck.
‘Who is she?’
‘Kitty Lavender.’
‘Do you have an address?’
‘She lives in London but Lord Hendry was certain that she’d be staying somewhere nearby during Derby Week.’
‘How do we find her?’
‘By speaking to Hamilton Fido,’ said Colbeck. ‘He and Miss Lavender will doubtless be sharing the same accommodation.’
‘Do you think she had anything to do with the theft of that painting?’ said Leeming.
‘I’m keeping an open mind about that. What I do think is that last night’s incident is related to all the others. If we solve one of the crimes, we will effectively be solving them all. The same person is behind them. Who knows? Her name may even be Kitty Lavender.’
‘You did say that a woman might help to unravel this mystery.’
‘I still hold to that view,’ said Colbeck. ‘In fact, we may find that we get help from more than one woman.’
Having packed the food into his satchel, Madeleine handed it to her father. Caleb Andrews thanked her with a kiss then slung the satchel from his shoulder. He was just about to leave the house to go to work.
‘You’ll have to make your own lunch tomorrow,’ she warned.
‘Why?’
‘Robert is taking me to Epsom.’
‘Then you’ll be able to see your father making money,’ he said chirpily. ‘I picked out the winner.’
‘Which horse did you bet on – Princess of Fire?’
‘I was going to bet on her but I remembered that colts always win the Derby so I’ve gone for Aleppo instead at 12–1. I read in my newspaper that he’s the most likely to upset the favourites in the race. Help me tomorrow and shout for Aleppo.’
‘Whoever I shout for, my voice won’t be heard in that crowd. Oh, I’m so excited, Father. I just can’t wait to get there.’
‘You’ll enjoy every minute of it, Maddy.’
‘It’s such a wonderful present for me.’
‘I’m glad to see that Inspector Colbeck is treating you in the way you deserve. The only time you’ve ever been to Epsom was years ago when you were a baby and your mother and I took you on Derby Day.’ He tapped his chest and chortled. ‘I backed the winner then as well. I bought you a new rattle out of my winnings.’
Madeleine giggled. ‘I won’t need one of those this year,’ she said. ‘According to Robert, Aleppo might be a wise choice.’
‘Why?’
‘The three horses ahead of him in the betting are the ones that have been having trouble. There have been attempts to kill two of them and to bribe the jockey riding the third. Robert says he’ll be grateful if he can get Odysseus, Merry Legs and Limerick Lad to the starting post.’
‘Is he anywhere nearer making an arrest yet?’
‘He thinks so.’
‘I’ve told him before, Maddy – the killer is a jealous husband.’
‘You’re wrong about that, Father,’ she said. ‘The victim was a young Irish groom who was walking out with a barmaid called Bonny Rimmer. They worshipped each other. John Feeny would never have looked at another woman, certainly not at someone’s wife in Crewe.’
‘That’s where the inspector should be continuing his search.’
‘The murder has nothing to do with Crewe. Feeny probably had no idea where the place is. Everything that Robert has discovered so far is connected with the Derby. The answers lie there.’
‘I’ll believe that when I see the proof. But I wish I was going with you tomorrow,’ he said enviously. ‘I’m probably the only person in London who won’t be there.’
‘When will you learn the result?’
‘When I get back to Euston.’
‘How?’
‘Carrier pigeons will bring the result to London and it will be posted up in various places. Next day, I’ll collect my winnings.’
‘From where?’ she asked. ‘I thought the only betting that was allowed was on the course itself.’
Andrews cackled. ‘Some rules are made to be flouted.’
‘Do you mean that that you’ve deliberately broken the law?’