‘Me too. But from what you’ve discovered, Augusta, only a cursory search was carried out for Mr Miller. I don’t think the police made much effort to delve into his past.’
‘If only they had.’
‘Indeed. So I think the Connolly family are possible suspects, but there are many other possibilities too.’ Philip checked his watch. ‘Goodness, I need to get going. Apparently, Charlotte Ramsden has an appointment at a hair salon in Belgravia at half-past ten. I need to loiter around there and keep an eye on her.’ He got to his feet.
‘Does it seem odd to you?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Following a lady around. I know we carried out surveillance during the war. But those people were much more unpleasant than Mrs Ramsden. She’s an innocent person.’
‘Yes, she is. Her greatest crime appears to be an alleged extra-marital affair. But it’s work, Augusta.’ He placed his hat on his head. ‘I have to get on with what I’m being paid to do.’
Augusta couldn’t help wondering if Philip was hoping for a more interesting case to work on as she returned to her shop downstairs. Her thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of a customer.
He was stocky with a square, red face. He removed his hat and headed straight for her without a glance at the books on the shelves.
‘Can I help you?’ she asked.
‘Mrs Peel?’
‘Yes.’
‘Mr Robert Stanton.’ He smiled. But it was a brief smile which didn’t reach his eyes. ‘I’m the brother-in-law of Alexander Miller,’ he said. ‘I understand you’ve spoken to my wife, Jane, on a couple of occasions.’
‘That’s right.’
His eyes wandered over her figure, and she clenched her fist. She had an aversion to men who made her feel uncomfortable. She positioned herself behind the counter to create a barrier between them.
‘What a nice little budgerigar,’ he said when his eyes left her and rested on Sparky’s cage.
‘He’s a canary.’
‘Is he? What’s the difference?’
‘They look quite different. It’s noticeable in the shape of the beak, head, and tail. Budgerigars are usually larger too.’
‘Is that so? I can’t say I’m into birds myself. Anyway, I must say I was astonished when I heard all about the letter you found. What a surprise that must have been!’ He grinned in an attempt to engage her in the conversation.
‘It was a surprise,’ she said. ‘How can I help you today, Mr Stanton?’
He leant against the counter with his elbow propped on top of it. As if he were chatting to a barmaid at a bar.
‘Between you and me, Mrs Peel, my wife suffers terribly with her nerves. I’ll speak frankly, if you don’t mind? It’s quite upset her. She found it difficult not knowing what happened to Alexander. And that’s perfectly understandable. But the passage of time has allowed her to live with it as well as she can. All this business with the letter, however, has put us back where we were. She’s been terribly upset about it.’
‘I’m sorry to hear it, Mr Stanton. It certainly wasn’t my intention to upset your wife. I spoke to her because I was interested to find out if she had ever heard anything more from her brother.’
‘You were curious, Mrs Peel, and I can understand that. But the involvement of the police has been particularly upsetting to her.’
Augusta thought back to the meeting with Jane Stanton and young Constable Simpson. She had seemed quite comfortable at the time.
‘I thought your wife showed little sign of upset when the constable visited,’ said Augusta. ‘And I asked the police to join us because your wife had previously agreed the letter which supposedly came from her brother was likely to be a forgery. I’m sure you agree, Mr Stanton, that the police need to be involved in that case.’
‘Jane hides her emotions well. And she’s extremely polite,’ he said. ‘She would never display any upset or unwillingness to help. But, as her husband, I know her best.’
‘She seemed willing to speak to a news reporter,’ said Augusta.
‘Because of her impeccable politeness, Mrs Peel. She didn’t want to turn him away. She would never wish to cause discomfort to other people or hurt their feelings.’
‘Even at the expense of her own feelings?’
‘Yes. Ridiculous, isn’t it? I’m always having words with her about it. Anyway, as a result, she has to nurse her own hurt feelings in private. And that’s quite a burden for me to bear, too.’
‘Well, please thank your wife for agreeing to speak to me,’ said Augusta. ‘Even though it was difficult for her.’
He propped himself upright and removed his elbow from the counter. ‘I won’t be passing that on, Mrs Peel, because she doesn’t know I’ve come to see you. I intend to keep it that way. If she knew I’ve come here to tell you how upset she was, then she would be mortified. All I can do is urge you to leave her alone now. It’s quite apparent no one will ever find out what happened to Alexander, and I sincerely hope you don’t give anyone false hope that he may be found again.’
The purpose of Robert Stanton’s visit was now clear. He wanted Augusta to stop what she was doing.
‘What do you think happened to him, Mr Stanton?’ she asked.
‘I have no idea. It’s an absolute mystery. We were baffled at the time, and we remain baffled ten years on. He was a private man, and his disappearance probably had something to do with someone or something which we knew nothing about.’
‘But if a crime has been committed, don’t you think justice should be sought?’
‘In an ideal world, my answer would be yes, Mrs Peel. But we don’t live in an ideal world. Too much time has passed since Alexander’s disappearance for anyone to be brought to justice. That’s the sad fact of the matter. I trust you’ll take my advice and leave the matter alone now, Mrs Peel.’
Fred joined Augusta once Mr Stanton had left.
