woman who brought them their pints. “We don’t do this for
money,” he continued when she’d gone out of earshot.
“I know that, but there’s got to be somethin’ I can do fer
you,” Blimpey protested.
“You can tell me why you wanted Odell out so badly,”
Smythe said bluntly. “You’re a decent sort, Blimpey, but
you’re not a bleedin’ heart.”
Blimpey’s smile faded and he looked down at his beer.
“If I tell ya, will ya promise it’ll go no further? I’d not like
to embarrass my Nell or Tommy’s mum.”
“You’ve my word.”
“He’s mine,” Blimpey replied softly. “But I didn’t know
it until he was arrested. His mum got out of her sickbed
210
Emily Brightwell
and come to me, told me the truth of it and said I had to
keep our son from hangin’.”
“You’re sure she was tellin’ the truth?”
Blimpey nodded. “Oh yes, I’ve always suspected he was
mine, but she never said anything and I was too stupid to
ask. I’ve decide that when he gets out, I’ll set him up with
a little shop or somethin’ like that.”
“Make him a shopkeeper, eh,” Smythe laughed. “Don’t
worry, your secret’s safe with me. I’d not embarrass either
lady by ever mentioning the subject again.”
“You’re a good man, Smythe.” Blimpey chugged his
beer. “I’ll tell ya what, to show my appreciation for what
you’ve done for me and the lad, in the future, I’ll give you
as much information as you need.”
“For free?”
“Nothing is free in this old world, mate,” Blimpey
replied. “But I’ll only charge you half as much as before.”
A week later Inspector Witherspoon walked out of the
front door of Scotland Yard. A strong wind from the river
tugged at his bowler and he shoved it harder down onto his
head. He headed for the river. He was feeling very pleased.
Tommy Odell had been released, they had a confession out
of Lucy Turner for both crimes, and he was having dinner
that night with Ruth. He rounded the corner and started
onto the bridge.
“Hello, Witherspoon.” Nivens stepped directly in front
of him.
“Inspector Nivens,” he said, stumbling to a halt. “Gracious, I didn’t expect to see you here. Did you wish to speak to me? Why don’t we go back to the Yard and—”
“This won’t take long,” Nivens interrupted. “You’ve
made me look a fool, you know.”
“I assure you, sir,” Witherspoon replied, “I intended no
such thing, but I couldn’t let an innocent man hang. I had
to do my duty.”
Mrs. Jeffries Appeals the Verdict
211
“You made a big mistake, Witherspoon.” Nivens smiled
faintly. “From now on, I’m going to be watching every single thing you do. I know you’ve had help on every case you’ve solved, and I’m going to find out who has been helping you. When I expose the truth, I’m going to tell everyone. I’m going to make you the laughingstock of this town.
You’ll be sorry you crossed me.”
“No, sir, I don’t think I will.” Witherspoon straightened
his spine. “I use ordinary police procedures in my investigations, and I don’t get any more help than any other police officer. Your investigation into the Muran murder was shoddy and criminally incompetent.”
“How dare you.”
But Witherspoon was tired of worrying about stepping
on Nivens’ toes. “I’d hoped to avoid further conflict with
you, sir. But I will not neglect my duty in order to advance
your career. Now, if you’re through making idle threats, I
really must be going.”
Nivens gaped at him in surprise and quickly stepped
back. Witherspoon pushed past him and kept on walking
across the bridge. He knew that Nivens would make good on
his threat, but for once, he didn’t care. Let him do his worst.
Witherspoon didn’t mind making enemies in the pursuit of
justice.
/body>
Document Outline
Cover Page
Praise
Berkley Prime Crime Books by Emily Brightwell
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication Page
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Table of Contents
Cover Page
Praise
Berkley Prime Crime Books by Emily Brightwell
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication Page
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Table of Contents
Cover Page
Praise
Berkley Prime Crime Books by Emily Brightwell
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication Page
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Mrs. Jeffries Appeals the Verdict Page 26
