Buckingham Palace Gardens - Anne Perry [130]
“Port?” he repeated.
“Yes. Why?”
“Do you know from what vineyard?”
“No, but Cahoon said it was extremely good. But then he would hardly give the Prince inferior wine.” She forced herself to ask, whatever he thought of her. “Does the dish not matter?”
“It matters very much, Mrs. Dunkeld. And so does the port—or at least the bottles do. Please don’t mention them to him, or to anyone.” He was very serious, staring at her intently. “It may put you in danger. Three of them were found with traces of blood in them. Now you understand why you must mention it to no one?”
“Blood?” She was startled, and filled with a sudden hope so erratic and so sweet for a moment she found it difficult to breathe.
“Yes. Now please go back to your room, to sleep if you can. Thank you for coming to me. It must have taken great courage.” He stood up, a little stiffly, as if he were so tired that to straighten up was too much effort.
She realized he must be afraid too. He not only had to solve these murders quickly, and discreetly, but he had to find the answer that the Prince of Wales wanted and that his superior at Special Branch could accept. He was a man pressured from all sides. And his own compassion, and his sense of justice, would be compelling him also, probably in a different direction.
There was a sharp bang on the door, and then it flew open and Cahoon strode in. He too was fully dressed, although unshaven, and obviously in a towering rage.
“I assume you have some explanation for interrogating my wife at three in the morning?” he said savagely to Pitt. “Who the devil do you think you are? If my poor daughter hadn’t solved the case for you, at the cost of her own life, I would have you removed, and someone competent sent in. However, there is nothing left to do, except have Sorokine taken away and then get out yourself.” He turned to Elsa.
“Go back to bed,” he ordered.
She stood still. “Mr. Pitt did not send for me, I came to see him.” She would not have Pitt blamed; it would be both shabby and dishonest. She was fighting for everything that mattered to her, win or lose.
“Do as you are told!” Cahoon said between his teeth.
She did not move.
Pitt also seemed perfectly composed. “Mr. Dunkeld, did you bring a gift of a case of port wine to the Prince of Wales?”
“What?”
“I think you heard me, sir. Did you?”
Cahoon was incredulous. “Three o’clock in the morning, and you want to know if I brought wine for the Prince of Wales?”
“Yes, I do. Did you?”
“Yes. Best port I could find. It’s the sort of thing gentlemen do.” His tone was acutely condescending.
“And the Limoges dish, was that a gift also?” Pitt asked.
This time Cahoon was definitely taken by surprise. “What…Limoges dish?” His hesitation was palpable.
“The one in your case, sir. Is there more than one?” Pitt’s voice was polite, but the cutting edge was unmistakable.
For an instant Cahoon obviously debated denial.
“A white and gold pedestal dish,” Elsa supplied for him. She was fighting to save Julius, grasping at straws, but all decisions were made and it was too late to go back. “With a garden scene in the middle, a man and woman sitting on a stone seat. Their clothes have a lot of blue in them.”
“You have been searching through my cases!” Cahoon accused her.
“I have no interest in your cases,” she replied, feigning slight surprise. “Your valet was unpacking and did not know what to do with it. You were with the Prince of Wales, so he asked me. I told him to leave it where it was. If you don’t recall it, I’m sure he does.”
“Sarcasm is most unbecoming in a woman, Elsa,” he said icily. “It makes you seem cold, and mannish.” He turned to Pitt. “I am afraid it is a matter I cannot discuss with you, Inspector. It was a favor for His Royal Highness, to whom I gave my word. I am not sure if you can understand that, but if you cannot, and you wish to challenge him on the matter, then you had better do so, at your own risk. I have nothing to say. I have no idea whether you have duties to perform at this hour, but I am returning to bed, and my wife is