"Chelsea Quinn Yarbro - Long-Term Investment" - читать интересную книгу автора (Yarbro Chelsea Quinn)

entertained during his wait for Mister Carfax.
"Not much," Inspector Ames admitted. "The woman is still unidentified, which hampers our work. We
are doing our best."
Edward thought that did not sound promising, but he said, "No doubt you'll find the murderer, eh,
Inspector?"
"Are you mocking me?" Inspector Ames asked suspiciously.
Shocked, Edward shook his head. "No, sir. Nothing of the sort. I only meant what I said, that you
will catch the criminal."
Inspector Ames looked slightly mollified, but he glowered at Edward. "YouтАж you poor people have
no respect for the police."
"I am not one such. My father worked for the police, in the stationhouse. It got him killed," said
Edward stiffly.
"Oh, yes?" said Inspector Ames, regarding Edward with slightly more interest. "How did it happen?"
Edward guessed that the inspector wanted to know so he could check out the story more than he had
any genuine interest. "It was during the Ripper days. A man was brought into the stationhouse for
Stepney, where my father clerked. He was under suspicion for savaging aтАж street woman, and some
thought he might be the RipperтАФthe man in custody, not my father. The thing was, the fellow had a knife
on him that no one knew about, and when he was being written up, he grabbed my father and used him
for a shield to escape. Cut his throat on the stationhouse steps." He swallowed hard. "My father said that
police are the best hope we have to make life safe. No, Inspector, I would not mock you, for his sake if
no other."
 "Just so," said Inspector Ames, making it serve as an apology.
"I won't say as police don't make me nervous," Edward went on, thinking he was saying too much,
but unable to stop himself. "You said right when you said poor peopleтАФ" He broke off. "Well, thanks to
Carfax, I am not poor any longer."
Inspector Ames nodded and was about to speak when Carfax himself came striding in out of the
foggy, fading day. "Mister Carfax," he said with energy. "I had about given you up."
"I apologize for my tardiness," said Carfax. "I have been at the zoological gardens. Most unusual. I
must go again when I am at leisure to appreciate its occupants. I am afraid I forgot the time." He glanced
at Edward. "I trust Hitchin has been looking after you in a satisfactory manner?"
"He has, sir," said Inspector Ames, not quite deferential, but less accusing than he had been with
Edward. "I am sorry I must intrude, but there has been aтАФ"
"тАФkilling of a young woman," Carfax finished for him. "Yes. So Hitchin told me." He indicated the
steps to the office. "Perhaps you would be more comfortable if I offered you a chair?" Without waiting
for an answer he went up the stairs.
"I am coming, sir," said Inspector Ames, tagging after Carfax.
Edward watched them go, feeling at loose ends. He had only the coffins for company, and he began
to wander the aisles between the stacks of coffins. They no longer bothered him as they had done at first,
although he was a long way from comfortable with them. He consulted his pocketwatch several times
before he saw Inspector Ames emerge on the landing.
"Very good, Mister Carfax. I am grateful for your time." He bowed slightly and started down the
stairs.
"If I think of anything that has bearing on your investigation, I will be sure to inform you," came
Carfax's voice after the policeman.
"Much obliged," said Inspector Ames as he made his way down the stairs, pausing as Edward
approached him to see him off the premises. He looked at Edward, his expression revealing nothing.
"Odd sort of chap, your Mister Carfax."
"Well, he's foreign, isn't he," said Edward as he opened the door.
"That he is," Inspector Ames agreed as he left the building.