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

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The next body was found six days later: an amah coming from India with a military family was
supposed to accompany the luggage from the docks to the family's house. She never arrived, although
the luggage did. Now the waterfront began to hum with rumors, and the police sent more constables to
patrol the narrow, noisome streets where warehouses sat chock-a-block with ancient inns and houses of
dubious reputation.
Edward admitted Inspector Ames a day after the ghastly discovery was made. He noticed the dark
circles around the policeman's eyes, and the downward turn of his mouth. "A terrible thing, Inspector."
"That it is," Inspector Ames agreed. "You know why I've come."
Nodding, Edward said, "You think it is the same killer, then."
"Yes. We have good reason to." He said nothing more specific as he glanced around the warehouse.
"Carfax has moved out more coffins."
 "That he has," said Edward, taking indirect satisfaction in this turn of events. He permitted himself to
boast a bit. "He has sent more than a dozen out of the city. He tells me that more are to go before the
week is out."
"He must be pleased," said Inspector Ames, and exhausted his capacity for small talk. "Hitchin, what
have you seen? What have you heard?"
"Nothing that you haven't heard, or seen, sir," said Edward as a cold fist closed on his guts. "Why
should I? I am indoors all the day long, and into the night."
"Do not tell me you do not while away the hours alone in that office upstairs?" The inspector's
incredulity was insulting enough to sting.
"I will not tell you, if you are not prepared to believe me.
But it is what I do." He could feel the heat in his face, and hear it in his voice. He struggled to cool his
temper. "Why do you doubt me?"
"Well, you know, I checked up on your father, and on you. Your report of his death was reasonably
accurate, but I must tell you that the scrapes you have been in since his death are very troublesome to
me, very troublesome." He studied Edward a short while in silence. "You have been caught stealing, have
you not?"
"Food. Only food. For my Mum," muttered Edward. "The pension doesn't go very far, and
sometimes she's gone hungry."
"Very commendable, I'm sure." Inspector Ames's sarcasm was as bad as his disbelief. "You spent a
month in gaol, my lad."
"That I did. Two years since." He could not conceal his bitterness. "My Mum nearly starved to death.
No one cared for her."
"An unfortunate circumstance," said Inspector Ames smoothly. "You must be very grateful to Mister
Carfax. Not many would employ the likes of you, not once you've been in gaol."
"Probably not," Edward said, keenly aware that the inspector was right. "But Mister Carfax, being
foreign, is not so worried about these things as you are. He hired meтАФand I did tell him about what I had
done." He did his best to look unconcerned, though the memory of that interview still rankled. "Mister
Carfax is willing to give a man a chance."
"No doubt," said Inspector Ames. "And you are loyal to him for this."
"Certainly," said Edward staunchly.
"Good," said the inspector. "It would be unfortunate to see the man served a perfidious turn by one
who should have only gratitude."
"I understand you, Inspector Ames," Edward told him. "I will not abuse Mister Carfax's faith in me."
Inspector Ames frowned at him. "I shall hope you do not. For I shall make it my task to be watching
you."