Death with Blue Ribbon (16 page)

‘Really?'

‘I'm telling you, aren't I? Soon as ever Bridger didn't come back he was in the office saying he had twice the work to do and wanted more money. What's more, Rolland gave it him. Well, he had to, didn't he? It's a job to get anyone, nowadays. Well. This'll never do. I've got my work to see to. I can't stop here all day. Only I was going to tell you about that Dr Jyves.'

‘Yes?'

‘It's only what I've heard, mind you. I can't answer for it. But if half of it's true it's enough to make anyone think twice about being on his panel. It seems he's gone to pieces altogether. Doesn't seem to remember what he told you five minutes ago. Forgets where he is sometimes. They say it's drugs. But it may
be all talk. There's people in this place that are only too ready to take your character away from you. Going round saying things about one another. It's all wrong, isn't it?'

‘It is.'

‘I say to them sometimes, “Can't you say something good about people? If not, I don't know why you have to talk at all. We only live once. We might as well make the best of it.” I do hate backbiting and making mischief. My husband's the same. He tries to make the best of everyone even if he knows what they are.

‘Well. I must fly. I've got my staircase to do. They'll start wondering whatever's happened. They know I'm not one to stop gossiping when there's work to be done. Not like some of them I could mention. I asked them the other day. “Haven't you anything to do?” I said. They didn't half give me a look. They don't like anyone to call attention, do they?'

As though with a supreme effort, Mrs Boot made her exit.

Carolus was punctual in his call at John Moore's office. The Detective Superintendent gave the impression that delighted though he would be to see Carolus anywhere else on other business he had certain professional reserves about him at this time and in this place.

They exchanged warm greetings and enquiries. Then John Moore said, ‘What can I do for you, Carolus? Because I know you too well to suppose you've come here to enquire after the wife and children.'

Carolus resisted the temptation to say it was a question of what
he
could do for Moore. He came straight to the point.

‘What do you know about a firm working the protection racket on luxury restaurants and clubs?'

John Moore looked up sharply.

‘You know it's not the slightest good your asking questions like that. Whatever we know, or don't know, I can't discuss that with you.'

‘From which I take it that
one
you know something but not much,
two
that someone else is handling the matter, and
three
that it's giving you all a headache.'

John Moore sighed pointedly.

‘I know enough to tell you to keep out of this, Carolus.
Whatever it is you can only do more harm than good to yourself and to us.'

‘Unfortunately I'm too far involved.'

‘Speaking generally—and it's the only way I can speak—the kind of case you describe is notoriously tricky. Months of work usually go to it as recent cases show. With exact knowledge of what's going on it may take anything up to a year before we can prosecute. And if some interfering outsider like you pushes in it may cause us trouble and delay. I tell you to get out of it, Carolus, and stay out.'

Carolus seemed to consider.

‘Months, you say. Suppose it can be speeded up?'

‘What do you mean by speeded up?'

‘Suppose you were informed by some interfering outsider like me exactly who was running the thing and from what address? Also the names, or assumed names, of his assistants? Plus three of the people who are being blackmailed, or paying protection money if you like. What then, John?'

‘It wouldn't necessarily alter the immediate position. The names may already be known. The identities of those being blackmailed are useless if they're afraid to give information. I am speaking in general terms of course.'

Carolus smiled.

‘Of course,' he agreed. ‘But suppose we carry the hypothesis a little further. Suppose that circumstances enabled you, indeed forced you, to arrest most or all of the principals on another charge on which bail would not be allowed. What then? Couldn't you get your information easily enough?'

‘What
circumstances?' asked John Moore.

‘Suppose you found these people
in flagrante delicto,
with
beaten-up victims actually on the premises? That would enable you to search…'

‘Without a warrant?'

‘Oh come, my dear John. Your memory must be short. The late Maxwell Fyfe, when as Home Secretary he caused to be circulated a directive ordering a drive against homosexuals, had to defend in the Commons the conduct of the police. He was asked on what authority they had searched the home of one of the victims of his prejudices. He said that since the man had been arrested
no search warrant was necessary,
or words to that effect. Does not the same apply here?'

‘I am not saying a search of the premises could not be made if the tenant or owner was under arrest. But I think this has gone far enough, Carolus. So many ifs and buts. I've warned you in the friendliest way to keep out of this thing. If it's anything like you suggest you're risking your life. I mean that. The sort of people you describe stop at nothing.'

Carolus lit a cheroot.

‘I don't think so,' he said. ‘I did not expect you to welcome my interference, as you call it, though you must be aware that I could tell you a great deal you don't already know. I know you are bound by all sorts of restrictions on the use of informers. Let me put it to you this way. If you received information at, say, between four and five this afternoon, that at such and such an address a certain individual was being held by force and probably maltreated, would you not have to act?'

‘By “a certain individual” I presume you mean yourself.'

‘Could be.'

‘Of course we should have to act. Whatever it was. A patrol would be sent to the address at once with orders to investigate.'

‘And,
my dear John, if you had reason to think that the
matter was a serious one, leading to the breaking up of a very dangerous criminal clique of blackmailers, with possibly one or more murders thrown in, would it not perhaps be your duty to accompany the patrol yourself, with sufficient force for all eventualities? I speak in general terms, of course.'

It was John Moore's turn to smile.

‘No comment,' he said.

‘But my point is taken? Good. The only other provision I should like to make is this—will you in fact be in your office between four and five this afternoon?'

John Moore made some play of examining an engagement book.

‘Yes. I shall,' he said.

‘Is there a number through which you can be reached at once, with no delay at all?'

The Detective Superintendent wrote a number on a slip of paper and silently handed it across.

‘Thank you,' said Carolus. ‘And now perhaps—still in general terms—I can chatter away a few moments of your time. I should just like to mention an address in case it should happen to interest you.'

John Moore's attempt to look bored was not a success. Nor did Carolus mistake the notes he made for doodling.

‘It's a solicitor's office,' Carolus went on. ‘A certain Montreith. On the first floor of Gaitskell Mansions, Attlee Avenue, Bayswater. There is a porter called Humbledon who may have been bribed.'

Moore said nothing, but no one could have supposed he was not listening.

‘Above the offices, on the second floor, there is a flat, also Montreith's. A metal staircase runs up to it from the offices.
I don't know who will be in the offices or flat but if Montreith is out no one will call you and we're back to square one. There may possibly be a character known as Razor Gray and another, Rivers or Maxie.'

Was there a suggestion of recognition of these names on Moore's would-be inscrutable face?

‘And possibly a gentleman who chooses the name Mandeville. Perhaps others. I imagine you'll see nothing at first but a quiet solicitor's office. That's the cover.'

John Moore rose.

‘Well, Carolus, it's nice to have seen you,' he said. ‘Goodbye for now.'

For once Carolus allowed himself a colloquialism which normally he detested. ‘Be seeing you,' he said.

In the foyer of the Saddle of Lamb Mr Gorringer was already waiting. His gift for making his presence felt in all surroundings was evident. His mighty red ears, hairy at the orifice, his weightiness and height, his protuberant eyes were all too noticeable.

‘Ah, Deene,' he said. ‘This is indeed a pleasure. As you know I all too rarely leave our academic backwater for the stir and bustle of the metropolis.'

‘I hope I am not late, headmaster?'

‘Not in the least. I have been filling the unforgiving minute with observation.'

‘Have a drink before we go in to lunch?'

Mr Gorringer inclined his head.

‘I should appreciate a glass of sherry,' he admitted. ‘Are we to celebrate some new triumph of yours in the field of your curious hobby?'

‘Not yet, I'm afraid.'

‘You are not, I trust, still engaged in some investigation or other? I must remind you that our term starts in two days' time.'

‘That's just why I've asked you to meet me, headmaster. I need your help.'

‘My help? Only, I trust, in extricating you from circumstances irrelevant to our educational work?'

‘You can call it that.'

‘May I ask what is the nature of the assistance I can render you? As you know, my dear Deene, the welfare of my staff lies very close to my heart. Only last week I was called upon to arrange a small advance for one of them whose wife is expecting to …'

‘Not Hollingbourne again? This will be the sixth.'

‘I name no names. I was merely demonstrating my willingness, in cases of real necessity, to go to the assistance of those who loyally serve the school. Though I am confident that your problem is not of that nature.'

‘No, headmaster. It is not. Shall we have lunch? I will tell you while we eat.'

‘An excellent idea. Let us be fortified against any dire eventuality.'

When they had ordered, Mr Gorringer leaving the details to Carolus, the headmaster prepared to listen.

‘I am all ears,' he said with small exaggeration.

‘Do you happen to be free about four o'clock this afternoon?'

‘I shall have completed my business by then, I trust. I intended to catch a train for Newminster at 5.7.'

‘Would you oblige me by coming to Bayswater?'

‘Bayswater, my dear Deene? A most reputable district, I
believe. I have no objection to accompanying you to Bayswater. But what is the nature of the service I can render you there?'

‘Just to make a phone call. From a public box.'

Mr Gorringer considered.

‘I cannot help but feel, my dear Deene, that such a task could be undertaken by any of your numerous acquaintances. It seems scarcely necessary to ask your headmaster.'

‘It's a matter of life and death,' said Carolus shortly.

‘In that case,' said Mr Gorringer, ‘I should require to be informed of the circumstances.'

‘Yes,' said Carolus. ‘I see that.'

He proceeded to recount the events at the Fleur-de-Lys with frankness while Mr Gorringer ate and listened. Then he waited for the headmaster's pronouncements.

‘It seems,' said Mr Gorringer, ‘a most distasteful affair. Blackmail, protection, extortion, possibly murder, these are scarcely suitable as the concern of the senior history master at Queen's School, Newminster. Nevertheless, as you outline the case I see that once having involved yourself you have acted with courage and determination. I cannot criticise your conduct on that score. But the question remains, Deene. Where will this end?'

‘In Bayswater. This afternoon.'

Carolus went on to tell him of his call on John Moore and the upshot of it.

‘I have come to you,' he added, ‘because as you will see, I need help from someone I can count on absolutely. I know it is an imposition. But that phone call really may be a matter of life and death. These people stop at nothing.'

Mr Gorringer looked more solemn than ever.

‘Since you put it like that,' he said, ‘you leave me no
alternative. I scarcely supposed when I accepted this headmastership that it would involve me in acting to protect the physical security, possibly the life of one of my assistants from the violence of a dangerous gang of thugs. I scarcely imagined that I would be called on to travel to Bayswater to rescue a colleague threatened by criminals. But—
tout comprendre est tout pardonner.
You have explained the matter frankly and I do not see how I can refuse. Please outline the plan of action.'

‘We will go there in a taxi. There is a public call box in the same street. If when we drive up it is occupied we shall have to drive about until it is free. When it is, the taxi will stop and you will go into the box where you will appear to be in conversation for five full minutes. Should anyone show impatience for the use of the box you will ignore it. It is essential that you keep possession of it for that time.'

Mr Gorringer seemed already to be rehearsing in his mind.

‘So much I can undertake,' he said solemnly.

‘Meanwhile you will keep your eye on the entrance to Gaitskell Mansions. If I come out during those five minutes it will mean that I have been unable to get into Montreith's offices and the whole operation will have to be abandoned or postponed. If I don't come out you will call this number.' He gave him Moore's. ‘Ask for Detective Superintendent John Moore. He will probably answer the phone himself.'