Before Benjie had time to answer, I stood. “Gertrude, you’re being the perfect hosts, and I’m the less than perfect guest. I’m not inclined to go in the darkroom again. If you’ll forgive me, I’ll drive into Wakefield and take the rest of my film in to the chap at Picture This for developing. Then you can have your discussion in peace. We’ll chat when I get back.”

She was about to protest, but I insisted.

As I reached the hall, I heard Gertrude say, “I suppose you’ve heard. This morning that wretched employee of yours was charged with murder.”

My camera bag was in the hall. Gertrude’s embroidered letter case, with its poison pen contents, fitted easily inside.

It was perfectly true that I would visit Picture This and leave my film to be developed.

I did not mention that I would also call at police headquarters.

Chapter 29

Chapter Twenty-Nine

I climbed two sets of stairs and turned right. Dad, Chief Superintendent at Wakefield Police HQ, has a view of the street through permanently grimy windows, but sits with his back to the view, facing the door.

He was not surprised to see me since he is the official go-between for me and DC Yeats.

“Kate! I wondered when I’d see you.”

“Hello, Dad.”

He closed a thick manila folder and pushed it to one side. “Cup of tea?”

“Thanks, but this is a flying visit. It’s been a strain, playing the part of a photographic journalist, but I might be getting somewhere.”

“How can I help?”

“Would you see if you can get hold of Mrs. Sugden for me? We should have arranged carrier pigeons. I want to know how she and Sykes are getting on.”

He picked up the phone and asked the operator to connect him to my home number. He listened. “Well as soon as you’ve a line then.”

While we waited, I brought out the silk document case. Dad stared at the embroidered stamp. “Gertrude?”

“Yes.”

“She must have a lot of time on her hands.”

I put on my soft gloves. “Benjie has been receiving odd—I can’t call them letters—more notes of accusation of some wrongdoing. He doesn’t want to make a fuss, but it’s upsetting Gertrude.”

I spilled the notes onto the desk between us. Dad took a pair of gloves from his drawer and examined the letters. “Is that how you spell rhinoceros?”

“Yes.”

“What do you want me to do?”

“Have them checked for fingerprints.” I took the sherry glass from my bag. “Gertrude’s prints are on here. I swiped it when she wasn’t looking and refilled a different glass.”

Dad picked up his internal phone and dialled.

“Come through, Harker. Bring a pair of gloves.”