The Case of the Unseen Lady
As I strolled through the museum I noticed at least two plain-clothes policemen at two distinct locations. Seems they really did think the burglar would strike here. As I passed one I said “How’s the family Hank?”
“Try to stay out of trouble Drake. If Fenton knew you were here he’d have a fit.”
I pretended to admire a wall painting behind him and said, “I’m just a citizen enjoying the museum.”
I strolled casually through the museum as I had each day for the past week. I made a point at looking at paintings, sculptures and artifacts in glass cases. But my attention was on the people.
I came upon the Riviere. The necklace was so named because it contained a “river” of 55 graduated diamonds weighing 118 carats. I read the sign in front of the glass case. Someone named Ambrosio Gottlieb Polett crafted it during the second half of the 18th century. It seemed like a nice extravagant addition to anyone’s collection.
I continued to explore the rest of the museum and observe people. At one point I was in a hall with huge paintings that were so heavy that they hung from the ceiling rather than the wall. In the middle of the room has a collection of vases from different places around the world. Then a voice almost startled me.
“I didn’t know you were an art lover, Mister Drake.” It was Priscilla Ambridge, the lusty sister of Bradley Ambridge. I tried not to jump to any conclusions but I did try to size up her height and proportions.
Of course, she looked stunning in a scarlet dress with matching hat and black patent shoes. In one hand she carried a long black clutch purse. In the other she was holding a guide map of the museum and short black gloves.
“Miss Ambridge,” I said, “Yes. I really appreciate Monet’s earlier work, don’t you?”
She chuckled gently. She was much too shrewd to believe that I could tell the difference between a Monet and a mug shot.
“You’re a very intriguing man Mister Drake, so devoted to your work, so difficult to distract from your path.”
“Why, thank you Miss Ambridge. You’d be surprised how few complements I get on my dedication.”
“And how is Miss Taylor? Have you seen her recently?”
“Wouldn’t you know, Miss Ambridge? You’ve been watching us for sometime now.”
“I’ve no idea what you’re talking about Mister Drake. You must be mistaken, certainly.” Was this the cat burglar or simply a sultry distraction that was affecting my judgment?
She then looked me up and down and said, “Perhaps we can go someplace more private to discuss this.”
“Where do you suggest?” I had to learn more about this woman but no amount of banter would lead her to slip any information that she really didn’t want to slip.
She got closer, her voice more breathy. “I do have a place downtown,” she said, it’s handy on late nights when I’m not fit to drive back to the manor. Meet me on the front steps of the museum and I’ll take you there. I’ll only be a moment.”
I said nothing but simply turned and headed out. At one point I glanced back and saw that she was still watching me. I smiled and then continued for the entrance. When I stepped into the light I wondered if I was entirely clear on my motives. It was difficult to think clearly with this highly charged siren.
In a moment, Miss Ambridge joined me. I noted that the museum guide map was gone and tried to figure if it would fit in her long purse.
“Shall we stop for a drink on the way?” She asked. I replied that that was a fine idea. She recommended getting a drink at a lounge on Brighton around the corner from her apartment. I knew the lounge and the apartment. My friend Lou had a plumbing contract with the apartment. He knew it very well.
I watched as she opened her purse and took out a pair of white kid gloves. I guess spending time with a fashion model was having an effect on me. I recalled Natalie once saying that ladies preferred to carry long gloves rather than fold them into a purse where they might be creased.
Then it came to me. Like sunlight after a storm, it hit me full in the face.
I stopped and said, “Miss Ambridge, perhaps this is a mistake.”
“Oh,” she said, “You’re not backing out on me now.” Somehow she sounded slightly less confident than she normally did.
“Sorry, Miss Ambridge,” I said flatly, “I’d rather not go to your apartment. It wouldn’t be … proper.”
She then came close to my face and showed a barely contained fury like I’d only seen on truly dangerous women. “Don’t play innocent with me, Mister Drake. No man has ever turned me down.”
“Then perhaps you’ve learned something today.”
If she were a tiger, she would have bit me right then and there. And even though she was not a tiger, I still made sure to be cautious. I backed away a little then turned and walked down the street. I jumped on the bus as it was pulling away from the curb and turned to see Miss Ambridge still glaring at me with unmasked fury.
I got off the bus only a few blocks later and found a payphone. I got out my notebook, looked up a telephone number then dialed.
A voice I remembered said “Russell residence.”
“This is Detective Jonathan Drake. Is Missus Russell available?”
In a moment Kitty was on the line. “What is it Mister Drake?”
“Does the name Priscilla Ambridge mean anything to you?”
There was a moment of uneasy silence. Then she said uncomfortably, “Yes. She was a lady, a rather young lady, whom the professor knew. They had met about three years ago. She was a girlfriend to one of the professor’s younger associates. The whole thing lasted only a few months. When the young man found out about them the whole situation exploded and each of them went their own way.”
I could see it clearly in my mind. Priscilla happened to find out about Professor Gibbs’ research and realized that it would suit her mischievous nature perfectly. No doubt she seduced him to gain access to the formula.
“Mister Drake,” Kitty said, “Professor Gibbs was an old and very dear man. We tried not to make a big deal about it.”
“That’s alright Kitty.” I said, “I don’t blame Gibbs. I know this Miss Ambridge. She’s very persuasive. I have to go now; I’ll call again in a day or two to tell you how things turn out.”
I then headed back to the museum. I was confident that Miss Ambridge was far away from there by now. I completely ignored the policemen as I entered and went directly to the exact location where I had spoken to Ambridge.
I looked around and thought about how little time had passed from when I had glanced at her to when she met me on the steps. The obvious place was the vases.
I glanced around the room and waited until I had a moment when no one could see me. Since most of the visitors were interesting in the newest arrival to the museum this didn’t take long. I thought how much harder it must have been for a beautiful woman in a scarlet dress to not be noticed.
I grabbed one vase – I’m sure it was rare and expensive – and I inverted it momentarily. Nothing happened so I waited for another good moment then tried another vase. When I had gotten to the fifth one, something fell out. I picked it up and saw it to be the plain black gloves she had been carrying and a small black velvet pouch. The pouch was the perfect size for the necklace.
I smiled and said to myself, “No fingerprints.”
I admired the simplicity of her method. After the prize was safely bagged she would likely dispose of the gloves and easily unlock any door from the inside. The big glass doors in the front were ideal really. They were so easy to see from the street that the police would give minimal attention to them and concentrate on the doors on the side and back. They would pay close attention to the windows, too. While the police were focusing on spotting a cat burglar entering the building the chances were slim that anyone would notice if the front door opened and a small black bag darted into the night. Even if some passerby did spot the floating bag they would very likely doubt what they saw and not be willing to tell any one.
I thought about several ways to approach this situation then decided on a course of action. I found a pay phone and made sure I had enough change. I needed to call Natalie, of course and I’d call Lou to remind him that he owed me a favor. But first I needed to call the one person who might have some influence over Priscilla Ambridge.
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