In the Lion's Den by Barbara Taylor Bradford

Author:Barbara Taylor Bradford
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2019-10-10T17:00:00+00:00

TWENTY

Detective Inspector Crawford had gone to Mrs Culpepper’s house in Camden Town twice. On both occasions he had found the house locked up and the street of terraced houses deserted.

Well, what did he expect, he chastised himself. Every person who lived there went to work or would be out shopping.

Now on this Thursday evening, his third trip, his spirits lifted. Mrs Culpepper was obviously home at last. Gas lamps shone through the window of her house.

Telling the hansom cab driver to wait for him, he went and knocked on the door of the small house. Almost immediately it was opened, and he found himself face to face with a middle-aged woman. She was neatly dressed in a navy dress with a white collar and cuffs.

He spoke at once before she could say a word. ‘Good evening, Mrs Culpepper … you are Mrs Culpepper, aren’t you?’

‘Yes, I am.’

He put out his hand, said, ‘I’m Detective Inspector Crawford of Scotland Yard. I need to have a word or two with you, if you could spare a few minutes.’

For a moment she did not answer, a worried look on her face. Then she said swiftly, ‘Could I see your badge, please? I mean, I’d like to confirm that you are who you say you are, sir?’

‘Of course.’ He took out his police badge and a printed business card. Second-guessing her, he hurried on. ‘I actually want to speak to your daughter Milly regarding the period she worked at Tango Rose.’

She took the card and badge from him and then, after studying them, returned his badge and kept the card. ‘This is for me, isn’t it, Inspector?’

‘Yes. Could I come in for a few minutes?’

Immediately she stepped back, opened the door and ushered him inside. ‘I don’t want the neighbours gossiping. They’re no doubt peeping out from behind their lace curtains already.’

He found himself in a comfortable room, with a large alcove at the far side. It was a kitchen, well equipped and as clean as the room they were in.

She now looked at Crawford intently and asked, ‘Why do you want to see Milly after all this time? It’s a long time since she worked at that bar.’

‘Something has come up regarding the attack on James Falconer and Dennis Holden, and I need to check a few facts with her.’

‘She’s been interviewed before and has told everything she knows, which is virtually nothing. I’ll go and get her, though. She’s upstairs. But don’t upset her, Inspector. Please.’ She gave him a hard stare.

‘I won’t, Mrs Culpepper, and thank you.’

The woman nodded and walked through a door which revealed a narrow staircase. Within seconds, she returned. Behind her was her daughter, Milly, a pretty girl with light-brown hair and wide blue eyes. Crawford could see why she’d been popular in the bar.

After greeting her and shaking her hand, Crawford explained why he was there and about the second attack on James Falconer last Sunday night in Soho.

She was instantly taken aback and stood gaping at him, obviously at a loss for words.

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