No Business of Mine

“There’s only one way out of this,” she said, after a moment’s thought. “We’ve both got to get out of the country. Even if they don’t pin the murders on to you, you’ll be in jail for weeks. Then what shall I do?”

“Yeah, I’ve thought of that,” I said. “But if I run away I’m telling Corridan I’m guilty.”

She jumped to her feet, ran over to me.

“Steve! Can’t you see? You’ve got to get out while the going’s good. You can write to Corridan when you get to America. You can tell him the whole story; but if you wait now, we’ll never get away. French will catch up with me. You’ve got to save me and yourself.”

I put my hand on her hip. Under the thin silk it felt nice. I remembered our more intimate days, patted her flank.

“All right,” I said. “We’ll get out while the going’s good, and I’ll give Corridan the works from a safe distance. Now, I suppose I’d better try to fix a plane.”

“Let’s go tonight,” Netta said, gripping my arm. “Do you think we could get off tonight?”

“If we don’t, we’ll never get off,” I returned. “Once they know I’m on the run, they’ll watch every airport.” I pulled her a little closer to me. “Bradley worries me. I might be able to handle Cole, but Bradley has a real grievance. Where did you get those rings from, Netta?”

“I didn’t give him the rings.”

“He said you did. He said he bought them off you for three hundred pounds.”

She shook her head. “Of course not. I’ve told you what happened. I went to him, told him the truth, asked him for some money. He gave me two hundred pounds. He told you that yarn about the rings to shield me. I remember he always had a lot of jewellery in his office.”

I snapped my fingers. “My God! I’ve been a sucker. I should have guessed he was lying. What a mug I was to have taken the rings. He can get me three months for that. It’s robbery with violence.”

“But he won’t get you three months because you won’t be here,” Netta said. “How soon can you fix that plane?”

“Right now,” I said, going over to the telephone. I dialled a number, waited. “Is that you, Bix?” I asked, when a man’s voice came on the line.

The voice said, “Sure!”

“This is Steve Harmas. I’m coming to see you. This is important. When’s your next trip?”

“Why, hello, Steve,” he said. “Glad to hear from you again. What’s the excitement?”

“I’ll tell you when we meet. When’s your next trip?”

“Twenty-two-thirty hours tonight,” he returned. “Want to come with me.”

“You bet I want to come,” I said. “I’ll be right over.” I hung up, turned.

“Cross your fingers, kid,” I said. “Maybe I’ll be able to persuade him to take us. Get packed, and be ready for me at nine o’clock.”

She grabbed hold of me. “You’re wonderful, Steve,” she cried, her eyes bright with excitement.

“Sure, I’m wonderful,” I said, feeling like a heel, “but save the celebration until we’re over the Atlantic.”

I let her kiss me, but I didn’t kiss her in return. It’d have been too much like the touch of Judas.

Chapter Twenty-Two

By three-twenty I had completed my arrangements for the evening, and had returned to my room at the Savoy to await Julius Cole.

Since leaving Netta, I had seen Harry Bix, explained what I wanted him to do. Intrigued by the story I had to tell, he had immediately agreed to co-operate. I had then taken a taxi to the offices of the Morning Mail, and had spent an hour with Fred Ullman. Acting on the suggestions I had made the night before, Ullman had been working like a beaver, and had collected a mass of information which had to be acted upon promptly.

Corridan was down at Lakeham, and, although I made efforts to get into touch with him, was temporarily out of the picture. I knew he’d return by evening, but by then, I had to complete my case or fail altogether. In a way I was glad he wasn’t around. His absence gave me a clear field and I took every advantage of it. When he did get back, he would find I had solved the Allenby case, and he was going to get the shock of his life.

But in the meantime, I had to have the cooperation of the police. During my previous stay in London, I had been friendly with Detective-Inspector O’Malley of Bow Street Police Station. Corridan had introduced us, and O’Malley had been delighted to show me the workings of the magistrate’s court. I decided I’d enlist his aid, and called on him. When I explained the reason of r n’ call, produced my evidence, he had insisted on taking me to meet Corridan’s chief at Scotland Yard. It was decided that immediate action should be taken.

Now back in my room at the Savoy, I relaxed, confident that if my plans worked out the way I hoped, by nightfall the Allenby case and the murders of Madge Kennitt and Henry Littlejohns would be solved.

I had scarcely time to run through my plans in my mind to be sure that nothing had been overlooked before a tap sounded on my door which told me Julius Cole had arrived.

I levered myself out of my chair, opened the door.