01 Gideon's Day (Gideon of Scotland Yard) by John Creasey (as J J Marric)

Author:John Creasey (as J J Marric) [Creasey, John]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Gideon looked at the clock; it was just after six. He yawned, but it was much too early to start yawning. This was a day which might last its full twenty-four hours. He knew himself well; what he needed now was a good meal, well-cooked vegetables and some good red meat, a pint of beer and forty winks. Once he’d had all that he would be all right, but he might not have time.

Lemaitre was out again.

The telephone bell rang.

“Gideon,” said Gideon. “Oh, hallo, Fred, what’s on?”

He listened, turned down his lips, made one or two notes, muttered an unenthusiastic thanks, and put the receiver down. He began to doodle on a blotting pad, and after a couple of minutes told himself that it was further evidence of the fact that he was running down, and needed replenishing.

Lemaitre came in.

“George,” he said, as a man with a worry, “I’ve just been downstairs to see my missus. Remember, I’m a married man? I forgot that I told her we’d go along for a snack to the Troc, and blow me, she’s got tickets for the Arthur Askey show. If I can’t go, you’ve got to tell her.” His anxiety was comical.

Gideon said: “How long’ve you got?”

“She’s come with the handcuffs,” Lemaitre said.

“About the only way they’ll ever drag us away,” Gideon grunted. “Wouldn’t be a bad idea if we laid on a campaign. Now if Kate—” he drove the fanciful thought off. “Okay, Lem, I don’t know that there’s anything to keep you.” What he did know was that this would keep him until the small hours. “Just had a word with Fred Hartley.”

“ ‘Bout Birdy?”

“Yes. The Murphy gang’s out.”

Lemaitre said: “Oh, gawd! Poor tick’s had it now.”

“One day we’ll get round to Murphy,” Gideon said. “Anyway, Birdy’s on the run. We’re all looking out for him, and if our chaps find him first they’ll pull him in on a charge. Not that Birdy’ll want that. Still—”

Gideon stood up slowly. He felt very hungry, the kind of raw emptiness that affected one’s nerves and muscles, made one sag, started the tight feeling at the back of the eyes. “And Fred’s worried about Birdy’s woman and the two kids. So he’s tipped off Black Jo, and Jo’s looking after the family. Murphy won’t risk a gang fight, I shouldn’t think, but Black Jo won’t lift a finger to help Birdy, although he’ll help the woman. High life in civilized London!” He scratched his chin. “Send for a sergeant, Lem, and then sort everything out so that it’s in apple-pie order when I get back.”

“Okay. Where you going?”

“Across to the pub to get a square meal, and I’ll tell Fifi about her good luck on the way!”

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