Inspector Colbeck's Casebook by Edward Marston

Author:Edward Marston [Edward Marston]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3, mobi
ISBN: 9780749014742
Publisher: Allison & Busby
Published: 2014-09-21T16:00:00+00:00

Pursuit began with a series of false starts. Colbeck and Leeming raced around the city in a cab that called at four addresses in vain. They were turned away empty-handed each time. The fifth address took them to the leafy district of Edgbaston.

‘Look at the size of some of these places,’ said Leeming, marvelling at them. ‘They’re ten times bigger than our little house.’

‘I did sense that the kidnapper was not short of money.’

‘Does he know what the sentence is for abducting someone?’

‘I doubt it, Victor, but he’ll soon find out.’

‘I do hope we’re on the right track at last.’

‘I’m sure we are,’ said Colbeck as they turned into a wide road lined with trees. ‘I can almost feel that we’re getting closer.’

Halfway down the road, the cab rolled to a halt and the detectives got out. Colbeck asked the driver to wait then led the way up the drive. Its dimensions might be striking but the mansion had an air of neglect. Slates were missing on the roof, walls were overgrown with ivy and chunks of plaster had come off the pillars supporting the portico.

‘Go round the back,’ said Colbeck.

‘Yes, sir.’

‘But don’t try to get into the house. We mustn’t frighten them into impulsive action. People can get hurt that way.’

‘We don’t even know if it’s the right place, sir.’

‘Oh, it’s the right place. I’m certain of it.’

Waiting until Leeming had gone, Colbeck went to the front door and rang the bell. There was a long delay before it was opened by a young man with an impassive face. Colbeck introduced himself and asked if he might see Caspar Whittingham.

‘The master is away at the moment,’ said the servant, crisply.

‘Is any other member of the family here?’

‘I’m afraid not, Inspector.’

‘When will Mr Whittingham return?’

‘I can’t answer that question. He told me that they might be away for a day or two. Would you like to leave a message?’

Colbeck knew that he was lying. The man’s voice was calm but his eyes gave him away. He kept blinking. Evidently, he was obeying his master’s orders and pretending that he was not there. Colbeck removed his hat and stepped forward.

‘In that case, I’ll wait until he returns.’

He servant was flustered. ‘You can’t come in,’ he protested.

‘I can acquire a search warrant, if you prefer.’

‘Look, Inspector, I give you my word that nobody from the family is here.’

Hand on his hat, Leeming came running around to the front of the house.

‘You’ll never guess what I just saw, sir,’ he said.

‘I fancy that you saw Mr Caspar Whittingham,’ suggested Colbeck.

‘Is that his name? He was playing the piano and someone was singing to him. I couldn’t believe my eyes,’ he said with a hollow laugh. ‘It was Jenny Lind.’

Colbeck swung round to confront the servant. ‘Are you still going to insist that nobody is at home?’

The man wilted visibly.

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