The Man on the Brighton Train by Kim Mede

Author:Kim Mede [Mede, Kim]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-02-08T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Brookland had ensured that Ross' scenario played out just as he had suggested. Three of the station's most heavily built police constables found themselves in neat suits and hats, looking around the station platform as if watching for trouble. Several passengers skirted around them hurriedly, a piece of theatre adding helpfully to the effect Ross had hoped to create for Bracewell's benefit. Sure enough, a moment later, a slim man, dressed in a cheap suit and hat and carrying a small valise moved quickly past them, opened the door of a second-class carriage, climbed in, and shut the door behind him, giving a quick glance through the window as he did so. Other tardy passengers made their way along the platform, opened carriages, entering and closing them rapidly. One man waved to a woman still on the platform. A moment later, the guard stepped off the train and took a last look around for latecomers. As he blew his whistle, a tall, well-dressed man trotted hurriedly towards the second-class carriages, nodding to the watching 'lookouts' as he passed them. He also boarded and shut the door behind him with a smart click. The guard watched him, waved his flag and boarded the train once more.

By this time, the younger of the two men had found himself a seat in an empty carriage further along the train. He had watched the cluster of men on the platform with great curiosity. They neither boarded nor spoke to any passenger. Perhaps they were fellow journalists, waiting for a subject; they seemed resolute, imposing, even commanding. If this was how London reporters were, he might think of joining them. He could learn a lot from them. He saw them nod to another man, sharply dressed in a dark suit and fedora, with a raincoat over his arm and a newspaper in his hand. Another colleague, perhaps. No, wait. Their boss, perhaps. The owner of the newspaper, more likely. Yes, that must be it. The guard had recognised and waited for him! A press baron, perhaps! The young man smiled to himself. Perhaps this was his lucky day after all! He had managed to buy a ticket for the ferry to France and had planned to hide somewhere for a few months. It had been a while since he had been in France; not since his late teens, but nothing much changed over there. He could hide for a while, come back when the heat was off in a few weeks, try again to find his father. Or perhaps hide in plain sight, a new job, another identity as a London journalist this time. The money would be better, he was sure. Perhaps he could strike up a conversation with the man in the smart suit, see if his deductions were correct. Impress him, hopefully, into offering a job. He wouldn't expect too much at first, would expect to prove himself. Start at the bottom again. Not that he was far from the bottom now.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.