The Crystal Crypt by Fiona Veitch Smith

Author:Fiona Veitch Smith
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781782643609
Publisher: Lion Hudson
Published: 2021-08-26T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 20

THURSDAY 23 APRIL 1925, LONDON

Rollo Rolandson had one hell of a headache. He sat in his office chair with an ice pack wrapped in a tea towel pressed against a walnut-sized lump. Ike Garfield handed him a cup of sweet black coffee and sat down in the chair opposite.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to call the police?”

“Very sure. We don’t know which of them are still loyal to Easling.” Rollo went on to tell Ike about his meeting with Easling the previous day and what he’d let on about sympathetic coppers in the Met in London and the Oxford City Police. “So that’s why I don’t want to alert the police just yet.”

“You definitely think it was Easling?”

“No, not definitely. But I was clobbered after coming back from seeing him. So, it could have been him. Or someone in his pay.”

“Or Lionel Saunders,” offered Ike.

Rollo nodded, then regretted it as a stabbing pain shot through his head. He winced. “Yes, it could have been Saunders or one of the boys from the Courier – they weren’t happy when I was round there yesterday. But robbery and assault aren’t usually their style. We’ve got a robust professional rivalry, but nothing more. Saunders himself, though – I wouldn’t put it past him.”

Ike looked around the cluttered office thick with dust in the early morning light. “Are you sure the file’s the only thing that’s gone?”

Rollo patted his pocket and felt the weight of Yasmin’s necklace. “Yes, it seems to be. It was in my hands before whoever it was whacked me.”

“So you said it was the Sanforth Industries file… This must have something to do with Poppy’s investigation in Oxford.”

Rollo sipped his coffee and took a moment to allow the restorative brew to do its work. “Yes, I believe it is. And Sophie Blackburn. She is the connection here between Sanforth Industries, Lionel Saunders, and whatever he’s covering up about Bert Isaacs’ death. It’s just too much of a coincidence otherwise. Sophie, to say the least, is obsessed with bringing Bert’s killer to justice. And now, suddenly, she’s got Poppy onto another mysterious death.”

“Do you think Sanforth Industries is linked to Bert’s death too?” asked Ike, lighting up his pipe.

Rollo shrugged and took another sip of his coffee. “Their name never came up five years ago, but I’m wondering if there is a connection between the Sanforths and the Dorchesters. They moved in similar social and professional circles. It wouldn’t surprise me if there is. Perhaps Sophie has discovered that connection. But Sophie being Sophie has not come out and said it. She doesn’t trust people, and she doesn’t trust people will believe her if she presents evidence.”

Ike sucked on his pipe until the tobacco smouldered. “Can’t blame the woman after all she’s been through.”

“Agreed,” said Rollo. “So perhaps that’s why she’s got Poppy onto the case. Because Poppy’s reputation as an investigator is impeccable. If Poppy discovers what Sophie has already discovered, there’s more chance Sophie will be believed.

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