Instrument of Slaughter

‘Danger can sometimes add spice to a relationship.’

‘Do you speak from experience, Harv?’

Marmion laughed. ‘No, I don’t and you should know it. Ellen and I already have enough spice in our marriage. Neither of us would ever look outside it.’

‘You’re an example to us all.’

‘Stop teasing.’

‘I was being serious — I swear it.’

‘Then why are you still single after all these years?’

Keedy’s smile was enigmatic. ‘That would be telling,’ he said.

The discussion on the park bench lasted for over an hour and the issue was never resolved. Leach took Ruby home and left her to explain to her mother why she was back so early. He knew that his suggestion about an almost immediate wedding ceremony would be passed on to Mrs Cosgrove and he feared that she would disapprove. Ruby’s own reaction had been ambiguous. She both liked the idea and found it disturbing. Something about it unsettled her and it was not just the fact that she’d be robbed of the joy of coming down the aisle beside him in the dress that her aunt had so patiently made for her. There was an element of suspicion in her manner that Leach had never seen before. It worried him.

On leaving Ruby’s house, he walked a couple of blocks to the street where Hambridge lived and was pleased to find the carpenter at home. Over a cup of tea, they bewailed the loss of their friend and speculated on who the killer might be.

‘Mansel is going to be as shocked as we are,’ said Leach.

‘He knows, Gordon. I was there when he found out. I waited for him at the station and showed him the Evening News. He was stunned.’

‘The three of us must stick together even more closely now.’

Hambridge’s brow crinkled. ‘Must we?’

‘It was a warning, Fred.’

‘Was it?’

‘What else could it be?’ reasoned Leach. ‘Because he worked at the library, Cyril was well known in Shoreditch. He made no bones about the fact that he was a conscientious objector. In a sense, he sort of gloried in it.’

‘Well, it’s nothing to be ashamed about,’ said Hambridge.

‘Inspector Marmion told me that we weren’t under threat, but I’m not so sure. I don’t feel safe. Someone is coming to get us.’

‘I’ll be ready for him. I hate violence but I’ll be carrying a chisel wherever I go. Cyril was killed because he wasn’t expecting an attack. I’ll be more careful.’

‘So will I.’

‘But I don’t think there’s any real danger now,’ said Hambridge. ‘Not while the police are looking for the killer. He’ll lie low until everything blows over — or until he’s caught, of course.’

‘The inspector said they’d leave no stone unturned.’

‘The detective who came here was a Sergeant Keedy. I liked him. He had his wits about him. According to the sergeant, this Inspector Marmion has got a good record for solving murders. He never gives up. He’ll be working around the clock to find the person who did this to Cyril.’

‘I won’t be able to relax until he’s behind bars.’ Leach finished his tea and put the cup down. ‘Can I ask you something, Fred?’

Hambridge gave a silly grin. ‘There’s nobody else here.’

‘What would you think if I got married?’

‘I’d be happy for you but you’ve months to wait.’

‘No,’ said Leach, ‘it could be a lot less than that. There’s such a thing as a three-day licence, you see. It’s for couples who … just can’t wait.’

‘But you can wait — and so can Ruby.’

‘I want to get married as soon as possible.’

‘Oh, I see.’

‘The murder has scared me to death. What if someone has got his eye on me? I’m a conchie, just like Cyril. I’ve had my warning. There’s only one way out.’

‘Sorry — I don’t see where marriage comes into it.’

‘I’d be safe, Fred. I wouldn’t be a conchie, fighting off conscription. I’d be a married man who wasn’t liable to be called up. There’d be no need to pick on me. I could carry on as I am.’ Hambridge was studying him with mingled curiosity and disgust. ‘Do you see what I mean?’

‘You’re only thinking of yourself, Gordon.’

‘No, I’m not. I’m thinking of Ruby as well.’

‘She’s in no danger.’

‘She is, if I get killed. Ruby will lose everything she’s ever dreamt about.’

Hambridge was unhappy. ‘I don’t like the idea.’

‘But it will solve a problem.’

‘I still don’t like it.’

Leach was hurt. ‘Why not? I thought I could count on you.’

‘You wanted my opinion. You’ve got it.’

‘Things are different now that Cyril is dead.’

‘Yes,’ said Hambridge with uncharacteristic passion, ‘you wouldn’t have dared to mention this when he was alive. You’d have done what you pledged to do. You’d have stood beside us, Gordon.’

‘It’s not as if I’m deserting you.’

The carpenter had said his piece. He sipped his tea morosely, leaving his friend to regret having brought the subject up. His idea had had a lukewarm reception from Ruby and a hostile one from Hambridge. Given the latter’s response, he wondered if it would be wise to broach the topic with Price.

‘Where’s Mansel now?’ he asked.

‘He’s gone to the police station.’

‘I’ll speak to him later.’

‘Well, I wouldn’t tell him what you just told me,’ warned the other, ‘or he’ll go mad. Mansel will think you’re running out on us.’

The message that Keedy had left for him had asked Price to report to the local police station where he would be told how to get in touch with Scotland Yard. In the event, the Welshman was actually in the building when Keedy was dropped off there by Marmion. Introduced to Price, he borrowed a room where he could interview him in private. As they sat down either side of a table, he noticed the other’s expression. Price looked grim and resentful. His muscles were taut.

‘There’s nothing to be afraid of,’ said Keedy.

‘I don’t like police stations.’

‘Is there any particular reason?’

‘They’re always full of people telling me what to do.’

‘I’m not here to tell you anything — except that we need all the help we can get in this investigation. I would have thought you’d be eager to do anything that might lead to an arrest.’

‘I am,’ said Price, ‘but there’s nothing I can add to what Fred told you.’

‘Mr Hambridge was much more cooperative than you. He tells me that you work on the railway.’ Price nodded. ‘Do you like your job?’

‘It bores me to tears.’

‘Then why don’t you do something else?’

‘It’s not easy to find a job if you’re my age. Every time I’ve applied for one, I was told to join the army instead. So I’m stuck with the GWR.’

‘That’s a reserved occupation, isn’t it?’

‘Not if you’re a cook,’ said Price, bitterly. ‘We’re ten a penny. They can even find women to do my job. Drivers and firemen and so on are different. They’re all needed, so they’re exempt — what’s left of them, anyway.