Double for the Toff by John Creasey

Author:John Creasey
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: House of Stratus

Chapter Thirteen

Pressures

“It’s no use trying to make me change my mind or persuade me that he was bluffing,” Kitty Dwight said. “He nearly strangled me—you saw him, didn’t you? There’s nothing he wouldn’t do if I helped Cedric, or if I let you help him. Will you please leave this apartment?”

Rollison found it difficult not to smile. He wished that his head were not throbbing so much, wished even more that he could concentrate. The fact was that Kitty had allowed his one useful witness to go; everyone and everything seemed set on making it impossible to ask questions. There was the possibility that the man had choked her in order to frighten her; there was also the possibility that he had wanted to kill her, because of what she could say to him, the Toff. If that were so, there was still a chance of getting the information from her, but she would have to be frightened first.

He didn’t relish that idea.

“If you won’t go, I shall have to telephone the porter,” Kitty announced, with that unbelievable earnestness. “Cedric once had to have a drunken man thrown out.”

“Ah,” said Rollison, gravely. “The porter must be a very strong man. Kitty, what makes you think you can save your husband by doing what a crook like that wants you to?”

“I know exactly what I’m doing,” Kitty answered, and sounded as if she believed it. “Don’t make any more trouble, it’s been bad enough as it is.” Her voice quivered, and Rollison knew that she was fighting desperately to put up this brave show. “Cedric said he would be back by half-past seven at the latest. I ordered dinner for eight o’clock, and let it get cold. I could hardly eat a mouthful as it was. And I’m so tired …”

She went on talking, complaining a little, and pleading. But she wasn’t having the same effect on Rollison. Cedric had come to him, in terror and in hope; had agreed to stay the night at the flat; had appeared to be delighted and relieved at the prospect. He had not said that he was keeping anyone waiting, and surely he would have wanted to send a telephone message to his wife to say that he wouldn’t be home.

He might have asked Jolly to do that, though; there may not have been time. True, Jolly hadn’t said anything about it.

“… and if you don’t go, I really will call the porter,” Kitty was saying, and the pleading note in her voice was much more noticeable. “I don’t want trouble, but—”

“Kitty,” Rollison said, and stepped towards her, “why did you let that man go?”

“I’ve told you! He said he would kill Cedric!”

“Why did you let him go?”

“I’ve told you! ” she gasped, and backed away, her hand outstretched towards the telephone near the bed. She could have screamed, but did not. She could have lifted the telephone, but did not. “Go away from me!”

“Don’t call the porter,” Rollison warned. “Call the police. They’re much better chuckers out than porters.

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