A Note From the Accused?

by John Creasey

  Snub’s eyes were half-open, and he was grinning.

  ‘Where did they get you, Snub?’

  Snub licked his lips and raised a hand to his chest. Rollison drew aside the coat. Blood was spreading slowly over Snub’s shirt, from a wound rather low down and on the right-hand side; not likely to be fatal. Snub raised his hand again and gritted his teeth; Rollison saw the ugly wound at the back of his head, not caused by a bullet, but by some heavy weapon. Blood matted the curly hair.

  ‘You’ll be all right, old chap. Wonderful job.’

  Snub grinned, and closed his eyes.

  Clarissa came in, with Mrs. Begbie close behind her, a flustered rather than frightened woman. She drew back when she saw two unconscious men. ‘Well!’

  Clarissa turned round sharply and said: ‘Please hurry with the hot water.’ She looked at Rollison as the old woman went out. ‘How is Snub?’

  ‘Not too good. Take the car and telephone the police, will you? Ask for an ambulance and a police surgeon, and utter the magic words, “attempted murder”.’

  ‘The—police?’

  ‘All safe now,’ said Rollison. ‘I’d have taken you straight to Scotland Yard, anyhow – the quicker your story is off your chest the better. Grice won’t ask for more trouble; he’ll believe the story of two Mellors now.’

  ‘You ought to know,’ she said. ‘There’ll be a telephone in the village. I won’t be long.’

  She hurried out, soon replaced by Mrs. Begbie, carrying towels and a bowl of hot water. She put them down and went out, returning with a can of cold water and some cotton-wool. Rollison had opened Snub’s shirt and blood trickled down the pale skin of his torso. He began to dab at it, and Mrs. Begbie snorted: ‘Let me do that.’

  ‘Better do his head first,’ Rollison said.

  ‘I haven’t been a trained nurse all my life for nothing, young man. Get out of my way.’

  Rollison said: ‘Bless you!’ and smiled at her – and saw Fryer’s eyelids flutter. He moved across, gripped Fryer’s coat-lapels, dragged him out of the chair and out of the room into the tiny kitchen. He dumped him down on an old Windsor chair, scooped a cupful of cold water out of a pail standing by the brick copper, and tossed it into the man’s face. Fryer gasped and straightened up, even tried to lift his injured right hand.

  Rollison said: ‘Now you’re going to talk fast.’

  Fryer gabbled: ‘Sure, sure, I’ll tell you all I know. Sure!’

  Grice sat behind his large desk at New Scotland Yard, listening carefully and without interruption. Clarissa, sitting on his right, saw the ugly red scar on his face which would have disfigured him altogether had it been on the cheek and nose; the wound which had left that scar must almost have blinded him. Rollison sat in an easychair, his legs stretched out, his voice quiet and casual. He told Grice what Clarissa had told him: all about the investigations and his suspicions; everything that he had guessed and that Waleski had confirmed in that careless moment when he had thought himself quite safe.

  Snub was in Woking Hospital; Waleski in the mortuary attached to Cannon Row Police Station, just across the courtyard of Scotland Yard. Fryer was in a police cell, not far from the mortuary, and Mellor was still at the cottage, with detectives guarding him and Mrs. Begbie shrilly insistent that he should not be moved that day.

  Rollison paused, to take a sip of water from a glass on the desk.

  ‘Feeling happier, Bill?’

  ‘I may be when I’ve heard it all.’

  ‘There isn’t a great deal more. Let’s sum up as far as I’ve gone shall we? You’ll agree there was justification for keeping Mellor away from you? I mean my Mellor, who was not the man you really wanted.’

  Grice said: ‘Legally, you’d get away with it. I think you were a damned fool not to tell me the whole story.’

  ‘Wrong, Bill. Once you’d got Mellor, Waleski and his friends would have faded right out of the picture for a long time. While I had him they were on the go, sticking their necks right out.’

  ‘You’d still say you were right if you could talk after death,’ said Grice dryly.

  ‘There had to be risks.’

  Grice shrugged. ‘I don’t think anyone is going to prefer a charge, so forget it. You haven’t told me what Fryer told you.’

  ‘He fitted in some odds and ends,’ Rollison said quietly. ‘Mellor, the real murderer, is still in hiding. Fryer swears that he doesn’t know where and thinks he’s out of the country. Fryer’s confirmed that Dimond was in the racket. Although Mellor killed his brother, Dimond stayed loyal. You can guess what he’s like from that. He exported a lot of goods abroad, and smuggled the proceeds of the Mellor robberies out with his goods. Waleski found the foreign markets. I told the Middlesex police about Dimond – I hope he’s been picked up.’

  ‘He’s being brought in now,’ Grice said. ‘What else?’

  ‘Fryer knows that Sir Frederick Arden is involved somewhere; just how, he swears he doesn’t know. He thinks that one of the staff at Pulham Gate was fiddling with his medicine – giving him diluted doses, which would explain his worsening condition, but wouldn’t rouse much suspicion. Waleski was also working with a housekeeper at Arden Lodge; but what the housekeeper was doing for him he doesn’t know. I told the Woking police—’

  ‘The housekeeper skipped. There was a third man at the cottage, who also slipped away after the shooting. He presumably telephoned the housekeeper and another servant in London – they’ve both gone. We’ll pick ’em up soon.’ Grice spoke with all the confidence of a man backed by the massive machinery of Scotland Yard. ‘How much are you keeping back?’

  ‘Nothing at all. You’ll find that Fryer will talk as freely to you as he did to me. He’s just longing to be asked to turn King’s Evidence. Oh – he was the man who attacked Judith Lorne, of course, and who took part with Waleski in that shindy on the Mile End Road. Sorry about that.’

  Grice said: ‘So you ought to be. Miss Arden, whatever the temptation, lying to a police officer is not only illegal, it’s foolish. I suppose you got rid of the gun you used and fired a few shots out of the one in your pocket, Rolly? The bullets we found didn’t come from the gun I took from you.’

  ‘Fancy that!’ said Rollison.

  ‘I told you to look for rabbits,’ murmured Clarissa.

  ‘I’m glad you still think there’s something funny about this.’ Grice glowered at her.

  ‘Anyone who can be facetious after today’s packet of trouble and after missing lunch ought to be mentioned in dispatches,’ said Rollison. ‘Bill, there are two urgent jobs. Find out why Sir Frederick Arden figures in this business; and find the real Mellor. Any ideas?’

  ‘We’ll learn all about them both before long,’ Grice said slowly. ‘1 suppose you realise that things may not be as simple as you think, Rolly. Your Mellor may be quite innocent, but may also be involved. How did he come to work for the Dimond gang? Does that tie up with the Arden connection?’

  ‘It could.’

  ‘So you’re not going to talk?’

  ‘I’ve nothing more to talk about,’ Rollison said.

  Grice grunted. ‘I hope I needn’t give you any more warnings. You’ve gone about as far as I dare let you go – you’d probably be better under restraint. Miss Arden—’ he turned to Clarissa abruptly—‘are you prepared to make a statement as to what you know, sign it, and affirm it under oath?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘I’d like you to sign it before you leave. I shall want a statement from you, Rolly, too. You’d better dictate it.’

  ‘After lunch,’ pleaded Rollison.

  ‘No. Now. Unless you care to come to the canteen—’

  ‘Heaven forbid!’ shuddered Rollison.

  A detective-sergeant came in, was told to take Miss Arden to another room and write out her statement, and Clarissa was led off. Grice and Rollison sat looking at each other, Grice sceptical, Rollison mildly amused; and it was Grice who said abruptly: ‘It’s not over by a long way.’
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br />   ‘It won’t be while Killer Mellor’s still alive.’

  ‘Do you think Sir Frederick Arden is criminally involved?’

  ‘He could be.’

  ‘Do you suspect anyone else?’

  ‘Have a guess,’ invited Rollison.

  Grice stood up and went to the window, overlooking the Embankment and the sluggish Thames. Plane trees, growing from the pavement, spread their branches until some almost touched the window of the office. A constant rumble of traffic and clatter of trams came through the open window.

  Grice said: ‘Sometimes you’re too deep, Rolly, sometimes nearly simple. You’ve a big weakness. Clarissa Arden is a beauty, and she seems to have you under her thumb.’

  ‘Ah,’ said Rollison.

  ‘You’ve told her practically everything you know – you had done so before she came here, or I wouldn’t have let her stay. Are you sure she can be trusted?’

  ‘No,’ said Rollison.

  ‘Then why trust her?’

  ‘The sweeter the bait, the bigger the bite. Bill, I’d like you to set your financial wizards at work, and find out how much she inherited, whether she’s had any heavy losses on the Stock Exchange or anywhere, what people she mixes with apart from the Smart Set, how well she really knows Dimond and knew Waleski. Then, if you’ve really a kind heart, tell me what you find out. You might get to work on Sir Frederick Arden, too. I don’t think the old boy has told me everything, and he’s very anxious I should suspect Clarissa of leading a murky life. Feel happier?’

  ‘I wish I knew what you really think,’ said Grice.

  ‘I wish I knew myself.’

  ‘Have you any reason to believe that anyone else, besides Arden, is in danger?’

  ‘I don’t know of any logical reason why they should be. But is Killer Mellor logical? Will he just accept his congé and retire gracefully, or will he hit back? If he hits, who will he go for? Answer: Anyone who’s responsible for his failure. How does that sound?’

  Grice said grimly: ‘Yes, you’re on the spot.’

  ‘And not only me. Clarissa, possibly; the real Mellor—’

  ‘That brings a leading question,’ Grice said. ‘Are you quite sure that the man you found is the real Mellor? Could there be a mistake in the identity? Is the man we want really the missing son?’

  ‘Doing well, aren’t we?’ asked Rollison. ‘I don’t think there’s been a mistake. I do think that the Arden establishment is much more deeply involved than we’re supposed to know. Suspicion switches, as they say, from the old man to Clarissa. There’s even a third possibility: another relative whom we haven’t yet heard about.’

  ‘What’s your bet?’ asked Grice. ‘The unknown, the old man, or Clarissa?’

  ‘I wouldn’t risk my money,’ Rollison said. ‘But if I were you, I’d keep a watchful eye on my Mellor, his Judith, Clarissa and Sir Frederick. And I shouldn’t lose any time.’

  CHAPTER VIII

  WORD FROM EBBUTT

  ‘Now what are you going to do?’ Rollison asked Clarissa a little later. ‘Go home and make peace with your uncle, or come for a drive with me?’

  ‘Come for a drive with you.’

  ‘I ought to break the news that we shan’t be alone.’

  ‘I was afraid of that,’ said Clarissa. ‘Grice and my uncle made you nervous. Who are you going to bring for a bodyguard?’

  ‘You’ll see.’

  The Rolls-Bentley, green and shining in a burst of bright sunshine, stood outside Botts, where Rollison had taken Clarissa for a meal halfway between luncheon and dinner. The chef, although officially off duty, had fed them well. He had been delighted to see Rollison, and as delighted to see Miss Arden.

  Rollison drove to Knoll Road.

  A plain-clothes detective walked slowly up and down the street, two men in overalls were working at a water hydrant, and showing no great enthusiasm for hard labour. Rollison recognised one of Grice’s men, and knew that the warning about Judith had been taken seriously.

  He pulled up outside Judith’s house.

  ‘I wonder why Grice let you get away with so much,’ said Clarissa.

  ‘So does he. The law is flexible when administered by men of common sense and understanding. One way and the other, Grice and I have worked together a great deal. The ice is often thin, but Jolly’s saved me from falling through, with two red-letter exceptions. Yes, I’ve been jugged twice, but they managed to keep me out of the dock.’

  ‘Is it worth the risk?’

  ‘Now you’re becoming fatuous,’ declared Rollison.

  As they walked across to the house he saw another car turn into Knoll Road; and again he recognised a policeman at the wheel. So Grice was having him followed; perhaps because he thought there was serious danger for him, possibly because he was not yet convinced that Rollison had told him everything he knew.

  ‘May I know who lives here?’

  ‘Judith, the nice girl,’ said Rollison.

  Judith must have seen the car, for she was halfway down the top flight of stairs. She was dressed in her green smock, her hair was untidy, her face bright; for Rollison had telephoned her to talk of good news, without telling her exactly what it was. Rollison was leading the way, and Judith did not see Clarissa at first.

  ‘I’ve been longing for you to come! Is Jim going to be all right?’

  ‘Yes, he’s cleared,’ Rollison said. ‘Thanks to—’

  He stood aside, for Clarissa to reveal herself. The two women eyed each other, tears rising to Judith’s eyes, although she was smiling and happiness glowed in her face.

  ‘Miss Arden,’ Rollison finished dryly.

  Judith sniffed. ‘I—I can’t thank you enough.’

  ‘Mr. Rollison is revealing a new side of himself,’ said Clarissa. ‘This is false modesty; if there’s anyone to thank, it’s he.’

  She took Judith’s arm and they went upstairs to the big room. There dozens of black-and-white sketches littered the drawingboard, and Rollison glanced at them and saw that they were drawn much more effectively than those he had seen when he had first come here.

  ‘Genius popping out again?’ he murmured.

  ‘Oh, they’re dreadful! When can I see Jim?’

  ‘When would you like to?’

  ‘Now!’

  ‘It will take about an hour, if you’re ready to leave in five minutes,’ Rollison said, and Judith ran across the room to the tiny recess, separated from the rest of the room by a heavy curtain, and disappeared.

  Clarissa looked at Rollison with her head held back.

  ‘You see,’ murmured Rollison.

  ‘Yes, it’s worth the risk. She’s sweet.’

  ‘She’s paid a visit to hell, and that makes London seem like heaven,’ Rollison said. ‘There are all kinds of hell. Have you been thinking much about Michael?’

  ‘Well—rather more.’

  ‘Has it worked?’

  ‘I can think about him without feeling bitter or desperate, and wanting to rush off to find some way of drowning my sorrow. Rolly, you’ve already done me a power of good. I think you ought to marry me.’

  Rollison raised his eyebrows slowly.

  ‘Original thought. Most people would hate the idea.’

  ‘Would you?’

  He considered; and it seemed to him that she was in earnest, although the words had doubtless sprung unguardedly from her lips. She looked beautiful; she was beautiful. Vitality throbbed in her, made her eyes glow, made her lovely face radiant.

  ‘I don’t think I should hate it,’ he pronounced. ‘But Jolly will tell you that I am not the marrying kind.’

  ‘I wonder why you aren’t married.’

  ‘Jolly’s answer will do for that, too.’

  ‘Proposal spurned?’ she said lightly.

  ‘No, deferred.’

  ‘You don’t really trust me, yet, do you?’

  ‘No.’

  Clarissa said: ‘Michael didn’t. Michael told me that he wouldn’t marry me while he was
still in the R.A.F. because he would be afraid of what I would be up to while he was away. He could have trusted me, he need not have feared that. So can you.’

  Her hand moved, to touch his.

  Judith called: ‘I’m ready!’ and thrust the curtain aside. Clarissa tossed her head back and laughed.

  Mellor’s skin was clear, his eyes bright; he looked almost well. He sat up against his pillows in a small ward at the Woking Hospital. On a hard, uncomfortable chair in one corner sat a local detective – and at the window stood Clarissa, a little to the left, so that she could not easily be seen from inside. Rollison tapped at the door and entered, and Judith waited in the passage, her hands clenched. She would have rushed in, but he had told her that he must break this news gently to Jim Mellor.

  Mellor said: ‘Hal-lo!’

  ‘Well, Jim. Feeling on top of the world?’

  ‘I’m a thousand times better,’ Mellor said, and gave a rather excited laugh. ‘You’re Rollison, aren’t you?’

  ‘Yes. Who’s been talking?’

  ‘One of the nurses and the flatfoot over there,’ said Mellor. The detective smiled affably. ‘They have quite an opinion of you. I don’t know how you managed it, or even what you’ve been doing, but if you yanked me out of that Asham Street room I’ll never be able to thank you. It—it’s damned hard, even now, to believe that I needn’t have done it, that everything’s worked out all right.’

  Words spurted from him, as if he were making up for the last weeks, during which he had said hardly a word to anyone.

  Rollison said: ‘You’ll believe it, as it’s true. Have you told the police everything you can?’

  ‘Everything, but I’m afraid it doesn’t amount to much. I didn’t really know Galloway, I’d just done some work for him – printing jobs – not a great deal. I went down to Limehouse on business one afternoon and—well, I must have been drugged. When I came round I was in the room with Galloway, and there was blood all over the place. I must have been crazy to run away then, but I was scared stiff. I felt pretty groggy, too, and there was a little chap who came in and offered to hide me. He said I’d had a brainstorm, and—no, it’s no use,’ Mellor said, and his voice was hoarse, his face strained. ‘I suddenly found myself on the run, and then the newspapers came out with my photograph, and I knew I was for it. I thought if I could keep out of the way long enough, the truth would come out. I know it was crazy, but—’