‘Other owners have their afflictions as well, Mr Dowd.’
‘Who cares about that?’
‘Merry Legs might well have been poisoned,’ said Colbeck. ‘Can’t you find an ounce of sympathy for the horse?’
‘I’ve sympathy for every horse, Inspector, especially one that’s owned by Hamilton Fido. Anyone who tries to kill an animal that way deserves to have the poison poured down his own throat. I hope you catch the man soon.’
‘Can you suggest where I might start looking?’
‘You do your job and I’ll do mine.’
‘Unhappily,’ said Colbeck, ‘the two overlap so we’re sure to see more of each other before the day is out. As for what was, in essence, a forged letter written to deceive the police, I’ll have to consult my superintendent about the appropriate action to take. Since he’s coming to Epsom today, he may well want to speak to you himself.’
‘I’ll speak to the whole of the Metropolitan Police Force, if you wish,’ volunteered Dowd, ‘and you’re welcome to issue a fine or lock me up, if need be. I ask only one favour, Inspector – please don’t do it before the Derby.’
Having complained bitterly throughout the entire journey, Edward Tallis reserved his severest remonstrations for Epsom itself. The sight of so many people enjoying themselves on the Downs was anathema to him. He viewed the vast panorama of tents, marquees, booths, stalls and handcarts as if they were a communal entrance to Hell.
‘Have you ever beheld such sin and degradation?’ he said.
‘They always have a fairground here, sir,’ replied Leeming. ‘On a day like this, people expect entertainment.’
‘Entertainment! Is that what you call it, Sergeant?’
‘Most of it is quite harmless. Who could object to acrobats and fire-eaters and fortune-tellers? And there are dozens of amazing freaks to see, not to mention jugglers, musicians and ballad singers. I know there are pickpockets, thimble-riggers and swindlers here as well,’ he conceded, ‘but the majority of people are very law-abiding.’
‘At the moment, perhaps,’ said Tallis darkly, ‘but anything can happen when drink is taken. We saw that on the way here. The most upright citizen can be reduced to a babbling imbecile after six pints of beer. By evening, this place will be like Sodom and Gomorrah.’
Leeming stifled a laugh. ‘Yes, Superintendent.’
They alighted from the cab and elbowed their way towards the grandstand. All around them, people from every class of society were eating, drinking, smoking, laughing, playing games or engaging in lively banter. They went past mechanics and members of the nobility, tradesmen in their best suits, urchins in their rags, noisy shop-boys, boisterous apprentices, wandering foreigners, red-cheeked country folk, orange sellers, minstrels, maidservants, baked-potato vendors, porters, dockworkers, watermen, lavender girls, gypsies, soldiers, sailors and everyone else who had been drawn to the jamboree.
Victor Leeming thought that the crowd was remarkably even-tempered but Tallis predicted trouble. The superintendent was pleased to see a number of police uniforms dotted around the scene.
‘Let’s hope our men can enforce a measure of control,’ he said.
‘They’ll make all the difference,’ said Leeming.
‘What’s that?’
‘There were no policemen in Sodom and Gomorrah.’
‘I can do without your comments, Sergeant.’
‘I was simply trying to make a point, sir.’
‘Make it elsewhere.’
The curt rebuff reduced Leeming to silence until they reached the betting room. After Tallis had been introduced to Hamilton Fido, they adjourned to the nearby storeroom with the bookmaker.
‘I’d appreciate it if this discussion was brief,’ said Fido. ‘As you know, I’m needed to take bets. My presence is critical.’
‘This is not a discussion, sir,’ said Tallis, ‘but part of a police investigation. I set no time limit on that.’ He nudged Leeming who removed his hat to reveal the bandaging. ‘Yesterday evening the sergeant was clubbed to the ground while in the act of following you.’
Fido feigned surprise. ‘Why should he follow me?’
‘I thought you’d lead me to Kitty Lavender,’ said Leeming.
‘I told you – I’ve no idea where she is.’
‘We didn’t accept your assurance, sir.’
‘In other words,’ said Tallis, resuming control, ‘one of my officers was assaulted while in pursuit of you, Mr Fido. We are bound to suspect that the ruffian involved was in your employ.’
‘I deny that wholeheartedly!’ exclaimed Fido.
‘We had a feeling that you would.’
‘I had no idea that I was being shadowed by Sergeant Leeming and, if I had, I would certainly not have set someone onto him. I’d have stopped and asked him exactly what it was that he wanted. My policy is to assist the guardians of law and order as much as I can.’
‘That statement flies in the face of your reputation.’
‘The only reputation I have,’ said the bookmaker, ‘is for honest dealing. That’s why I’ve lasted so long while others have gone to the wall.’ He studied Leeming’s bandage. ‘I’m very sorry that the sergeant was wounded but I must protest at the allegation that I somehow prompted the attack.’
‘I know that you employ some pugs, sir,’ said Leeming.
‘Only as bodyguards.’
‘We have a good description of the man who hit me. He was big, brawny and had a broken nose. Two or three witnesses said that he looked like an old boxer.’
‘There are plenty of retired boxers roaming the Downs today.’
‘We’re only concerned with one individual,’ said Tallis.
‘Do you have him in custody?’
‘Not yet.’
‘Do you have any idea who he might be?’
‘One of your henchmen, Mr Fido.’
‘You’re welcome to have a list of my employees,’ said the other blithely, ‘so that you can talk to each of them in turn. I can guarantee you will not find the man you are after because he has no connection whatsoever with me. Sergeant Leeming’s injury was caused by a complete stranger.’ He flashed a defiant smile. ‘Will that be all?’
‘No, it will not be all,’ said the superintendent tartly.
‘I’m required elsewhere, Mr Tallis.’
‘You’re required here at the moment, sir. I’m not letting you go until we clear up this nonsense about Miss Kitty Lavender. We must see her immediately. Inspector Colbeck believes that she can throw light on the murder that occurred,’ he continued, ‘and he’s tired of your refusal to bring her forward.’
‘I’ve encouraged her to speak to you.’
‘Yet she remains inaccessible. Part of the blame for that should lie with you, Mr Fido, which means that you are hindering a murder investigation and are therefore liable to arrest.’
‘Your wait is over, Superintendent,’ said Fido, holding up both hands to pacify him. ‘I give you my solemn word on that. Kitty has finally accepted the wisdom of my advice and consented to speak to the police.’
‘Then where is she?’
‘And how do you know she’s changed her mind,’ added Leeming, ‘when you claim to be out of touch with her?’
‘I’ll take those questions in order. Where is she?’ he asked. ‘I don’t rightly know but Kitty is here somewhere and promises faithfully that she will talk to Inspector Colbeck once the Derby is over. How do I know all this? said Fido. ‘I was informed of her change of heart by Marcus Johnson, her half-brother. He, too, is here today.’ He pulled out a gold watch and consulted it. ‘Time races on, gentlemen,’ he noted. ‘May I have your permission to leave?’