Tied Up In Tinsel by Ngaio Marsh

Author:Ngaio Marsh [Ngaio Marsh]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 1971-11-22T16:00:00+00:00

II

‘It’s just,’ Hilary blandly explained, ‘that I do happen to know him. Soon after I was first settled with the staff here, he paid a visit to The Vale and Marchbanks brought him over for tea. He was interested in my experiment. But we mustn’t keep him waiting, must we?’

‘He’s still on the line?’

‘Yes. He’d like to have a word with you. There’s a telephone over there. I know you’re going to forgive me,’ Hilary said to Alleyn’s back.

Then you know a damn sight more than’s good for you, Alleyn thought. He gave himself a second or two to regain his temper and lifted the receiver. Hilary left him with ostentatious tact. Alleyn wondered if he was going to have a sly listen-in from wherever he had established the call.

The Assistant Commissioner was plaintive and slightly facetious. ‘My dear Rory,’ he said, ‘what very odd company you keep: no holiday like a busman’s, I see.’

‘I assure you, sir, it’s none of my seeking.’

‘So I supposed. Are you alone?’

‘Ostensibly.’

‘Quite. Well, now your local DC Super rang me before Bill-Tasman did. It seems there’s no joy down your way: big multiple stores robbery, with violence, and a near riot following some bloody sit-in. They’re sending a few chaps out but they’re fully extended and can’t really spare them. As far as I can gather this show of yours –’

‘It’s not mine.’

‘Wait a minute. This show of yours looks as if it might develop into something, doesn’t it?’ This was the Assistant Commissioner’s stock phrase for suspected homicide.

‘It might, yes.’

‘Yes. Your host would like you to take over.’

‘But the DCS is in charge, sir. In the meantime Wrayburn the Div Super from Downlow’s holding the fort.’

‘Has the DCS expressed his intention of going it alone?’

‘I understand he’s belly-aching –’

‘He is indeed. He wants the Yard.’

‘But he’ll have to talk to his Chief Constable, sir, before –’

‘His Chief Constable is in the Bermudas.’

‘Damnation!’

‘This is a very bad line. What was that you said?’

Alleyn repressed an impulse to say ‘You ’eard.’

‘I swore,’ he said.

‘That won’t get you anywhere, Rory.’

‘Look, sir – my wife – Troy – she’s a guest in the house. So am I. It’s a preposterous set-up. Isn’t it?’

‘I’ve thought of that. Troy had better come back to London, don’t you agree? Give her my best respects and tell her I’m sorry to visit the policeman’s lot upon her.’

‘But, sir, if I held the other guests I’d have to – you see what a farcical situation it is.’

‘Take statements and let ’em go if you think it’s OK. You’ve got a promising field without them, haven’t you?’

‘I’m not so sure. It’s a rum go. It’s worse than that, it’s lunatic.’

‘You’re thinking of the homicidal domestics? An excellent if extreme example of rehabilitation. But of course you may find that somewhere among them there’s a twicer. Rory,’ said the AC, changing his tone, ‘I’m sorry but we’re uncommonly busy in the department. This job ought to be tackled at once, and it needs a man with your peculiar talents.

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