THE COMPLETE DETECTIVE INCH MYSTERIES BOOKS 1-7 seven classic British crime mysteries full of twists by Straker J. F

Author:Straker, J. F.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lume Books Crime, Thriller & Mystery, A Joffe Books Company
Published: 2023-09-10T00:00:00+00:00

6

‘Yes, I took Leila out on Sunday,’ Starr said. ‘Or rather, she took me out. We went to the flicks and had a meal at the Fountain afterwards. What of it?’

‘Nothing,’ Johnny said. He had come to the conclusion that he disliked Russell Starr. An arrogant young man, he thought from the advantage of a few years. Too bloody public school. Rather as Knickers had been before Knickers had been tamed. ‘I’m surprised you didn’t mention it, that’s all.’

‘Mention it? Why the devil should I?’ Starr put down his glass and eased himself out of the armchair. ‘I don’t want to seem rude, Inch, and I’m all for diligence. But aren’t you rather exceeding your terms of reference? I understood you were here to supplement police inquiries into Clare Osman’s death, not pry into our private lives. Or am I wrong?’

‘O.K., O.K.’ Johnny could appreciate that to a man of Starr’s temperament this might seem like prying. ‘It’s just that everything that happened around here Sunday night interests me. Professionally, I mean. It’s bound to. But that doesn’t mean it’s significant. What time did you get back?’

‘Around ten-fifteen, I suppose.’

‘So you must have passed the end of the track not long before Clare was killed.’

‘So?’

‘Well, I’d have thought it was worth mentioning, if only as a conversation piece. But don’t get me wrong. Like I said, I’m not suggesting it’s significant.’

‘I should hope not. Clare would still have been on the bus. I don’t recall overtaking it, but obviously we must have done. So what was there to mention?’

He sounded strained, Johnny thought. On edge. Had Edwina been roughing him up? ‘It’s a point of view,’ he said.

‘It certainly is.’ Starr refilled his glass and held out the decanter. Johnny shook his head. He could have done with a drink, but sherry always tasted like varnish. ‘You may find this difficult to believe, Inch, but murder isn’t all that happens around here. I’m kept pretty busy. No need to scratch around for small talk.’ He gulped down his sherry. ‘You staying for lunch?’

Yes, Johnny said, he was staying for lunch. According to Mrs Drummond he was also staying the night, but about that he had not yet decided. ‘Did you see anyone in the lane?’ he asked. ‘Clare’s assailant could already have been waiting for her.’

Had he seen anyone, Starr said tartly, he would certainly have said so. But he had seen no-one. ‘That’s not to say no-one was there. We were in a hurry, and one can’t drive fast and watch the scenery. Not in these lanes.’

Johnny decided not to lay himself open to a further accusation of prying by inquiring the reason for their haste. Leila might be more co-operative. Not that the reason was likely to be relevant. But the Boozer, his former boss at the Yard, had taught him to be tidy. And unsatisfied curiosity, however idle, made for untidiness.

Lunch was less embarrassing than he had feared. Janet Osman took little part in the conversation; Johnny

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