Alice gritted her teeth. ‘Then I’ll wait until he gets back.’
‘I don’t want the pair of you fighting.’
‘Someone has to put him in his place, Mummy. It’s long overdue.’
‘We have to remember what he’s been through.’
‘There you go again,’ said Alice, ‘making excuses for him. You can’t excuse bad behaviour like that. Paul is not a child. He should know better. I’ll make sure that he understands that. We offer him the love and support he needs and all he does is throw it back in our faces.’
‘It’s not that bad …’
‘We’ve put up with more than enough. Since you’re here with him most of the time, you get the worst of it. It’s got to stop, Mummy,’ said Alice, hotly, ‘and if that means hauling Paul over the coals, that’s what I’m going to do.’ She looked towards the window. ‘Where exactly is he?’
Ellen shrugged. ‘I don’t know. He never tells me.’
Hands in his pockets, Paul Marmion ignored the chill wind and stared at the building conjured out of the gathering gloom. He hadn’t thought about his junior school since he’d come back to England. It belonged to a past that had been more or less obliterated by more vivid memories of action on the battlefield. The visit of Sally Redwood – unwelcome as it had been – somehow revived his interest. The school was virtually unchanged, a Victorian structure of brick and stone with a slate roof on which he’d once climbed to prove how brave he was. Generations of young children had passed through the school. As he got closer, he could almost hear children laughing in the playground as they chased each other in circles or had mock fights. The school bell rang and the pandemonium slowly subsided until it became an uneasy silence. It was soon shattered. From somewhere in the middle of the playground came the anguished cry of a girl with ginger hair. A boy was pulling her pigtails as hard as he could. Having enjoyed hurting Sally Redwood at the time, he did so in his mind all over again. Paul put back his head and laughed.
As the man who’d founded the company, Hallam Beavis occupied the largest of the offices in the suite. Now in his fifties, he was a short, stout, middle-aged man with a firm handshake and a professional smile. The smile disappeared the moment that Keedy explained why he was there.
‘I’m beginning to wish that I’d never known Ben Croft,’ he confessed.
‘Was he any good at his job?’
‘He was extremely good, Sergeant. He was a born salesman – plausible, persuasive, effortlessly charming and, in the best sense of the word, ruthless.’
‘Unfortunately, those same qualities could be brought into play when he was selling himself instead of an insurance policy. Lisa Hubbard discovered that. According to her father, he mesmerised her by sheer force of personality.’
‘His private life was nothing to do with me.’
‘Even when it had an adverse impact on your firm?’ asked Keedy. ‘I can’t believe that, sir. How did you feel when Croft’s house was burnt down and he was described in the newspapers as a former employee of Beavis Insurance Ltd?’
Beavis frowned. ‘We could have done without the publicity.’
‘Have you any idea where he is?’
‘No, I haven’t. Ben and I rather lost touch when he resigned.’
‘Given the time he worked here, I’d have thought a bond must have developed between the pair of you and that you continued to see each other socially.’
‘Ben had too many social commitments elsewhere,’ said Beavis with a meaningful stare. ‘I’ve seen neither hide nor hair of him.’
‘What about your colleagues?’
‘I can’t speak for them, Sergeant.’
‘In that case, I’d be grateful if you could give me their names and addresses.’
‘I’ll be happy to do so, though it may be a pointless exercise.’
Keedy smiled. ‘Unfortunately, that’s an essential ingredient of police work.’
‘Why are you so keen to trace Ben?’
‘I’m not the only person eager to find him, sir. I daresay that you read about Hubbard’s escape. He’ll assume that you know where Croft is.’
‘Well, if he turns up here, I’ll get in touch with the police immediately.’
‘Oh, he’s unlikely to do anything as rash as that, sir. Hubbard will bide his time until he can catch you on your own. He’ll pop up like a jack-in-the-box when you least expect him. Be warned. He’s dangerous.’
‘He won’t hurt me, surely?’
‘He’ll hurt anyone he believes is holding back information from him. We’re talking about a man in the grip of an obsession, Mr Beavis. He’ll do anything to get his hands on Mr Croft. Nobody is as much aware of that as Croft himself.’
‘Then he’ll have gone into hiding somewhere.’
‘I need to get to him first.’
‘Isn’t Hubbard deterred by the fact that he’ll be hanged if he murders Ben?’
‘He never thinks of his own fate, sir – only that of his daughter.’
Beavis was fearful. ‘What shall I do if he corners me?’
‘Tell him the truth. He’ll know if you’re being honest or not.’
‘I haven’t the slightest idea where Ben could be.’
‘Do you know anyone who might?’
Beavis became thoughtful. ‘There’s one person,’ he said at length, ‘but it’s only a guess. I know that he had one dalliance after another but he usually went back to Veronica in the end. You might try his wife, Sergeant.’
‘I’ve already done that, sir. She won’t hide him. I’m afraid that the iron has entered her soul. She’s washed her hands of Mr Croft.’
‘There’ll be another woman, then. There always is.’
‘Do you have a name you could give me?’
‘No, I don’t,’ said the other, sharply. ‘I didn’t want to know about Ben’s romantic escapades.’
‘I’m not sure that there was much romance involved.’
‘There was for the women. He beguiled them into thinking he’d marry them.’
‘That’s a fair point,’ conceded Keedy.
‘What happened must have shaken him badly. He’d never imagined that somebody would seek revenge on a daughter’s behalf.’
‘When he picked on Lisa Hubbard, he thought he could just take his pleasure then walk away scot-free. But there were consequences – dire consequences.’
‘Yes, Ben was never the bravest man. He’d have been absolutely terrified when he saw his house go up in flames.’
‘There was a consolation, sir.’
‘Was there?’
‘Yes,’ said Keedy, unable to stop himself. ‘In view of his profession, I daresay that the property was insured to the hilt.’
CHAPTER SIX
Ellen Marmion was at once pleased and alarmed, glad that she had her daughter’s support but worried at what might happen if Alice challenged her brother about his behaviour. As the evening wore on, she became progressively more uneasy.
‘Perhaps it’s not such a good idea, after all,’ she said.
‘You have to make a stand, Mummy.’
‘I can’t help remembering what happened to him in France.’
‘Try remembering what happened when Mrs Redwood came here for tea with her daughter. Paul was disgraceful. You admitted that yourself.’
‘It’s true. The worst of it is that Pat will tell everyone else in the group. I’m not looking forward to going back there, Alice. They’ve all been very sympathetic in the past. They’ll take a different tone from now on.’
‘Not if I can force an apology out of him.’
‘He won’t apologise for something he doesn’t believe is wrong.’
‘He must do.’
‘His mind is very confused since he came back. You never know what he’s going to do or say. It’s frightening. He can’t seem to tell the difference between what’s right and what’s wrong any more.’
‘Then I’ll have to remind him.’
‘I can’t see him t
aking orders from you, Alice.’
‘I’ll reason with him first.’
Ellen was about to point out that her son had resisted all her attempts to reason with him when she heard the sound of a key being inserted in the front door. She tensed immediately. Alice got to her feet at once. Moments later, Paul looked into the room and saw his sister.
‘Hello,’ he said, dully. ‘What are you doing here?’
She drew herself up. ‘I’d like a word with you, Paul.’
‘Are you going to arrest me or something? Is that why you’re in uniform?’
‘Don’t be ridiculous!’
‘Alice came here straight from work,’ explained Ellen.
‘I don’t care two hoots where she’s been,’ he said with vehemence, ‘I hate being talked down to by people in uniform. I had years of that in the army. And it was the same with Uncle Raymond. I used to like him when I was younger, but every time I see him in that Salvation Army uniform, I just want to run away.’
‘Uncle Raymond does a wonderful job,’ said Alice.
‘He does a wonderful job for waifs and strays – but I’m not one of them.’
‘Nevertheless, you do need help, Paul.’
‘Who says so?’
‘We all do.’
‘Then you can all mind your own bleeding business!’
‘Paul!’ exclaimed his mother, getting up. ‘I’m not having that language here.’
He had the grace to look shamefaced and even shrugged an apology but he was not going to let his sister dictate to him. Hands on hips, he confronted her.
‘Whatever you’ve got to say, I don’t want to hear it.’
‘Well, you’re going to have to,’ she said, taking a step forward. ‘Mummy told me what happened when Mrs Redwood came here with her daughter.’
‘Nothing happened. I said “hello” then went out.’
‘You insulted them, Paul.’
‘How do you know? You weren’t here.’
‘They were very upset when they left here.’
‘Good.’
‘Do you have to be so uncaring?’
‘I never liked Sally Redhead.’
‘Redwood,’ corrected his mother. ‘Her name is Sally Redwood.’
‘And it doesn’t cost anything to be polite,’ said Alice. ‘Don’t you realise how embarrassing this is going to be for Mummy? She’ll have to see Mrs Redwood in her sewing group. Everybody there will have heard how you behaved today.’
‘So?’ he asked, shoulders hunched. ‘What am I supposed to do?’
‘Well, you might begin with an apology.’
‘But I don’t feel sorry.’
‘You ought to feel thoroughly ashamed, Paul.’
‘Since when have you had the right to tell me what to do?’
‘I’m only trying to bring you to your senses.’
‘No, you’re not. You’re trying to boss me and I’m not going to put up with it. Just because you put on that stupid uniform, it doesn’t mean that you can lay down the law in here. I wore a real uniform, Alice,’ he went on, voice rising in volume and intensity. ‘I joined the army and put my life in danger. Do you know what it’s like to be under fire day after day? Do you know what’s it’s like to be told that you must kill or be killed? No, of course you don’t. Well, I do. That’s why I’ve got no time for people like Sally Redhead and that mother of hers with the big gob. I live in the real world. You haven’t a clue what that is, Alice, so why don’t you just shut up?’
‘Paul!’ cried Ellen.
‘Don’t walk away,’ ordered Alice.
But he ignored both of them and strode quickly out of the room before hurrying upstairs. Ellen turned a mournful face to her daughter.
‘You see what I’m up against?’
‘I’m not letting him walk away like that,’ said Alice, resolutely.
When she tried to go after him, however, she was held back by her mother.
‘Leave him be, Alice,’ she said. ‘It’s the best way.’
Maisie knew that he’d turn up sooner or later. She’d only met Marmion once and it had been in distressing circumstances when she’d witnessed the violent arrest of her close friend. Once he and Keedy had overpowered Wally Hubbard, however, Marmion had been very apologetic towards her and to the landlord for the fracas. Though she was sorry to see Hubbard being hauled off, she was struck by the inspector’s pleasant manner and by the way he’d helped to pick up fallen chairs and an overturned table. When she saw him coming into the pub again, Maisie knew that the furniture would be safe this time. She gave him a guarded welcome. There were not many patrons there as yet, so the landlord made no objection when Marmion took her aside for a quiet chat.
‘I’m sure you know why I’m here, Miss Rogers,’ he began.
‘I do, Inspector, and the answer is no.’
‘You’ve neither seen nor heard from Wally Hubbard?’
‘Our last meeting was on visiting day in Pentonville.’
‘Yes, I saw your name in the prison records. What sort of a state was he in at the time?’
‘Nobody is happy to be locked up in there,’ she said.
‘But was he quietly excited in any way?’
She grinned. ‘I’d certainly like to think so. He’s always been fond of me.’
He smiled at her forwardness. ‘What I’m asking,’ he said, ‘is whether or not you had any inkling of an impending escape attempt? Did he ask you to do anything for him?’
‘Such as?’
‘Provide him with certain items.’
‘He didn’t ask me to dig a tunnel under the prison wall, if that’s what you’re getting at. Wally was … well, he was just Wally, making the most of a situation. He was no different from how he’d been the other times I’d visited him.’
‘Where do you think he’d go when he broke out?’
‘That’s anybody’s guess, Inspector.’
‘Mine would be 24 Richards Terrace.’
‘That’s my address,’ she protested.
‘I know. I’ve just been there. Your landlady let me in,’ he said. ‘Actually, it was a neighbour who opened the door but Mrs Donovan was happy for me to be there. She described you as an absolute treasure, Miss Rogers.’
‘I like to help the poor dear, that’s all.’
‘There aren’t many lodgers who’d do what you do. Anyway, I did what I went there to do and established that Hubbard was not hiding under your bed.’
She was outraged. ‘Did you go into my room?’
‘Mrs Donovan allowed me to look around the whole house.’
‘You had no right to be there without a search warrant.’
‘I was invited in,’ said Marmion, calmly, ‘and given free rein. I even had a nice cup of tea made for me. When you get that kind of cooperation from the public, you don’t need a search warrant.’
‘Wally has not been anywhere near the house.’
‘Would you swear to that in a court of law?’
‘I’ll swear it in the Houses of Parliament, if you like,’ she said, angrily. ‘Why would Wally come anywhere near me when he knows you’re aware that we’re good friends? He won’t take any chances.’
Stroking his chin, he studied her. ‘What about Felix Browne?’
‘What about him?’
‘I take it that you know him.’
‘Oh, yes, he was part-owner of a pub I once worked in. Felix is a clever man. He’s got the Midas touch.’
‘How close were he and Mr Hubbard?’
‘They were partners in certain ventures.’
‘Do you like Browne?’
‘I’m not answering that question.’
‘Why not?’
‘Because I may work in one of his pubs again. If you have any sense, you have to keep on the right side of Felix.’
‘Is he a man who could be trusted?’
‘He’s always played fair with me, Inspector. If you want to find out about Felix Browne, I suggest you go and meet him.’
‘We’ve already done that, Miss Rogers.’
‘I see.’
‘And you’re right. He’s clever. He’s a master of the art of talking to you without giving a single thing away.’
‘Yes, that’s Felix.’
‘When did you last see him?’
‘I haven’t set eyes on him for ages.’
‘But you know where he lives, I daresay.’
‘I know his address in London,’ she admitted. ‘It’s a posh house in Bishop’s Avenue. But he also has a property in Devon where he and his wife spend weekends. Until the war broke out, he had his eye on a villa in the south of France.’
‘We had the feeling that he was quite prosperous.’
‘People like Felix never starve.’
‘Let’s go back to Maisie Rogers, shall we?’
‘You’ll have to be quick,’ she warned as a group of six people came through the door of the pub in a convivial mood. ‘The place will start to fill up from now on. I don’t get paid for talking to Scotland Yard detectives.’
‘I only have one last question,’ said Marmion, watching her carefully.
‘What is it?’
‘Suppose – for the sake of argument – that Wally Hubbard did make contact with you, what would you do?’
She gave an enigmatic smile. ‘The honest answer is that I don’t know.’
‘Why do I get the feeling that you’re being dishonest with me?’
‘You have a suspicious mind, Inspector. You always think the worst of people. Why not try trusting someone for once?’
Before he could reply, she went swiftly behind the bar and started serving drinks to the newcomers. Marmion was content. Though he’d found no evidence at her flat to support his theory, he was certain that she’d seen Hubbard since his escape. Maisie Rogers merited being put under surveillance. There was, however, a problem. Making the decision was easy enough. Persuading the superintendent to ratify it would be considerably more difficult.
Keedy was increasingly frustrated. He seemed to be going down a series of blind alleys. Working through a list of names given to him by Hallam Beavis, he made no headway whatsoever. Former colleagues of Ben Croft had no idea where he might be. Each and every one of them had entertaining anecdotes to tell about Croft but none of them had the address to which he’d moved after his house had been burnt down. Keedy did not have to knock on all of the doors himself. He and Marmion had a small team of detectives at their disposal and some of them were deployed in the search for the former insurance agent. When they reported back to Keedy, they told the same story. Ben Croft had not been seen by anyone for several weeks. It was almost as if he’d disappeared off the face of the earth.
The Enemy Within Page 5
