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

"Here it is," said Edward, holding out the ledger. "You'll see I've ticked off all the coffins and caskets
you have already shipped, and entered the date they were shipped hereтАФ" he pointed out the place in
the columned paper.
"Ah, yes," said Carfax. "A good arrangement." He pointed to the inventory numbers of the next lot
that would be shipped. "These are the ones that will be transported tomorrow?"
"Yes, sir," said Edward, unable to keep from glancing at the earth-filled casket.
"Very good," said Carfax, and turned his attention to other matters, which quieted Edward's dismay.
"I'll see the coffins get off all right and tight," Edward promised Mister Carfax shortly before that
worthy left him that evening. "It will be good to have them gone," he said with genuine emotion.


"He denies everything. He claims to know nothing about the clothing or the earth. If you had not told
us where to search, he might have got away with it," said Inspector Ames as his men struggled to return
some order to the chaos they had created. "We expect that of such criminals. This one was no different,
claiming someone had planted what we found, to fix the blame on him. I am sorry that we had to do this."
He nodded as an indication of why he was apologizing: coffins and caskets were strewn about, most of
them opened, as if a terrible desecration had taken place in an unlikely graveyard. The constables were
doing their best to restack the coffins and caskets now that Hitchin had been taken into custody.
Carfax heard this out with every sign of distress. "But what did you find?" '
"Enough to give the hangman employment," said Inspector Ames heavily. "In his drawer in the office
there were some things he had hiddenтАФof course, he denies any knowledge of them. They will be
enough for the Queen's Counsel to make an unbreakable case."
"Are you so certain he is the man?" Carfax shook his head.
"Well," said Inspector Ames knowingly, "it's often the cooperative ones who prove the most
dangerous in the end. No doubt he holds the police to blame for his father's death and his mother's
decline." He held out his hand to Carfax. "And speaking of cooperation, I thank you for all you have
given us, sir. Without your help, this case might not have ended so quickly."
Carfax accepted the inspector's hand. "I must admit I did not think it would come to this when I first
admitted you to my warehouse." He sighed. "I can hardly stand to look at the place now."
"Give it time, sir; give it time," Inspector Ames recommended with a touch of sympathy.
"No doubt that is excellent advice." Carfax nodded as he looked about in mild distraction. "At least
my business will keep me away from here for a while, so I may accustom myself to what has happened
here." He stared up at the office above them. "I shall have to find someone else to manage this place for
me, someone who can assume more of my duties in my absence."
"I can recommend an agency, sir," said Inspector Ames. "I feel a bit to blame for all the disruption
you have endured."
"You have only done as you must. It is the murderer who has brought all this." He gestured to the
disarray of coffins and caskets.
"Right you are, sir," Inspector Ames agreed. "But we're the ones as did the search, and we're the
ones to put it right again." He did not add that this was a courtesy rarely extended to men in the visitor's
position: had the search been unsuccessful, or had the owner of D. Carfax been less imposing, the police
would have left the disorder for him to deal with.
"For which I am most appreciative," said Mister Carfax. "I could not look upon dealing with this
without being appalled. I fear I should have had to hire others to do it."
"Understandable, sir," said Inspector Ames.
 An uncomfortable silence fell between them.
"Inspector," said Carfax suddenly, "do you need me for anything more? If you do not, I will give you
a key and ask you to lock up when you and your men are done."
"Of course, sir," said Inspector Ames, thinking that these foreigners were odd coves, going queasy
over the damnedest things. "I'll return your key as soon as you ask for it."