“What does that prove?” Felix said not following.
Oliver gave him a balanced glance. “This wasn’t an ordinary watch. This was a Charles Frodsham & Co watch. I remember seeing a picture of it somewhere. Magazine perhaps. It was 18K Gold and I could even see the roman numerals on it. I recall reading that it belonged to a certain family and had been in the family for several generations,” he finished looking smug.
Val smiled broadly at the man. “I’d like to buy you a pint one day Mr. Morris.”
Oliver shook his head. “Never touch the stuff, Inspector.”
Val stood up and shook his hand. “Tea, then.”
Chapter 20
Once inside the cab, Felix looked confused and bewildered.
“I understand that you knew half of what that upstart was saying, but would you mind translating it to us lesser folk?”
Val smil
ed lightly and took out his pipe. He retrieved his matches from his pocket and lit it. In the dark of the cab as it swayed, he puffed several times and then glanced at Felix.
“That Mr. Morris, he could teach a class on observation to new detectives,” he remarked.
“Is that so?”
“Look at what he told us. He told us about their clothes, their shoes, and a rare and expensive pocket watch.” Val glanced out the window.
“So?” Felix looked perplexed.
“So. Charles Frodsham & Co makes watches that are almost art pieces. They are not pushed out on a factory line ten a day. Whoever bought this watch, whoever owns it, we’ll be able to track him down. Now do you see?”
Val puffed again on his pipe as Felix smiled. “I sure do, Guvnor. We’re closing in on our prey.”
???
Val and Felix went to visit the clockmakers the next day located at 84 Strand. It was a very respectable place of business and the man serving the customers looked dour and bored, which Val supposed was the equivalent of snobbery.
“I’d like to speak to the manager,” Val told the first man.
The man looked down his nose at Val and Felix and sniffed. “I’m sure he’s very busy at the moment. If you’ll be so kind as to leave your card.”
“I will leave my card,” Val said pleasantly. “And if I don’t speak to the manager within five minutes, I will tell everyone in the building that I’m a Detective Chief Inspector here on business relating to fraud.”
The man’s eyes grew round and he sputtered something before disappearing behind a large oak door. He returned a minute later with an older man who had a white beard and spectacles.
“Gentlemen I’m Martin Bridle. Please follow me to my office.”
Once seated, Mr. Bridle offered them tea and they declined.
“Mr. Bridle, I’m Detective Chief Inspector Pierce, this is Detective Sergeant Grant. We’re investigating a series of murders.”
“Murders? I’m sure no one here has committed a murder!”
Val frowned. “No Mr. Bridle. You and your employees are not suspected of murder.”
Mr. Bridle looked relieved. “What brings you to Charles Frodsham & Co?”
Val pulled out his notebook. “We understand that you created an 18-karat gold watch with roman numerals. It is believed to be in a particular family. I would like to know the name of who owns the watch.”
Mr. Bridle pulled out a large ledger book and looked down the list of names. “Do you know when this watch was made?”