beforehand. I could think of nothing else.’
‘My only concern is to solve this crime.’
‘But we’ve made no real progress so far.’
‘I disagree,’ said Colbeck. ‘We’ve identified three possible suspects and the news about the diary has been in the nature of a breakthrough.’
‘Except that we don’t actually
‘We know of its existence, that’s the main thing.’
‘Then why didn’t you find it when you searched the house?’ asked Leeming. ‘My guess is that it was destroyed by the killer so it’s gone for ever.’
‘I remain more sanguine,’ said Colbeck. ‘It’s highly unlikely that the killer knew that Heygate kept such a diary and the stationmaster would hardly carry it with him when he was going off on a nocturnal search for an owl. It’s here somewhere and it may well hold the clue that leads to an arrest.’
‘Then how do you find it?’
‘It will turn up somehow.’
‘I wish I had your confidence, sir,’ said Leeming, dispiritedly. ‘In every other investigation, I’ve always had the feeling that we’re moving forwards. Here in Exeter, we seem to be treading water. I’m starting to hate the place.’
‘Concentrate on its virtues, Victor.’
‘I didn’t know that it had any.’
‘It has several, believe me, but the one that might recommend itself to you is its geographical position. As long as we’re in this city, we’re almost two hundred miles away from Superintendent Tallis.’
Leeming brightened. ‘Now that
When the train pulled into Exeter St David’s station, the first person to step on to the platform was Edward Tallis. As a porter came towards him, he thrust his valise at the man and barked an order.
‘Take me to a cab!’
CHAPTER SEVEN
Most people sought by the police would take refuge somewhere and make sure that they didn’t venture out in daylight. Bagsy Browne was different. He took the view that nothing would keep him off the streets if he had a mind to go for a walk. Being hunted was a normal state of affairs for him. It never troubled his mind. Refusing to go to earth, he’d strolled around Exeter for most of the day, going into a series of pubs as he did so. Newspapers carried a description of him and he was, in any case, well known in the city, but nobody recognised him because he was clean-shaven and wearing smart clothing for once. Feeling immune from arrest, he became bolder. Instead of keeping to the shadows, he marched along High Street early that evening with his usual jauntiness. It proved to be a mistake. There was still enough light in the sky to illumine his features and one passer-by took a close look at him. The man was so certain that he knew him that he followed his quarry through a maze of streets. Unaware that he was being trailed, Browne suddenly veered off into an alleyway so that he could relieve himself against a wall. When he’d finished, he turned to find that his way was blocked by a thickset man in his fifties with a square chin.
‘Hello, Bagsy,’ he said.
‘Sorry,’ said Browne, gruffly, ‘you’ve got the wrong man.’
‘I’d know you anywhere.’
‘You must be seeing things, my friend.’
‘I can tell you by your stink.’
Bagsy’s fists bunched. ‘Say that again, you turd!’
‘You don’t remember me, do you?’
‘Why should I?’
‘Because I used to look after you,’ said the man, taking a step closer. ‘I’ve seen Bagsy Browne with his hair and his beard shaved off before — except that you had no name in prison, did you? We gave you a number instead.’
Bagsy glared at him. ‘It’s Wyatt, isn’t it?’ he said. ‘I remember you now. You were one of those cruel bastards who baited me.’
‘You only got what you asked for.’
‘Get out of my way.’
‘But we have so much to talk over, Bagsy,’ said Wyatt, grinning. ‘We shared such happy times in prison, didn’t we?’ He spat on the ground in disgust. ‘If it had been left to me, we’d have locked you up and thrown away the key.’
‘I won’t ask you again,’ cautioned Browne.
‘Why don’t we take a little walk? I’m sure that Superintendent Steel will be delighted to see an old acquaintance. In fact, he’s so keen to meet you again that he put a notice about you in the newspaper.’
‘I saw it.’
‘Then why didn’t you heed it?’
‘Nobody stops me from doing what I want.’
‘So you wanted to get caught — is that it?’
‘No,’ said Browne, lunging forward to grab him by the shoulders. ‘I wanted the chance to pay you back for all the hours of torment you gave me in prison.’ He punched Wyatt on the nose and blood spurted. ‘It’s not so easy when you haven’t got those other mangy warders to help you, is it?’
Wyatt was enraged. Wiping the blood with the back of his hand, he fought back and landed some telling punches. Browne had to give ground for a moment. Gathering his strength, he began to trade blows with the prison warder. The result was a foregone conclusion. Strong and determined he might be, but Wyatt was up against a man seasoned by dozens of brawls. As the two of them grappled, Browne suddenly tripped him up and pushed him to the ground. Kicking him hard in the groin, he then grabbed his head and banged it repeatedly on the paving stone. Only when Wyatt began to beg for mercy did Browne relent.
He searched the man’s pockets, took what money he could find and fled. Wyatt was left groaning in agony and regretting his decision to accost the former prisoner. Browne, meanwhile, made his way back to Rockfield Place and ran up the stairs to Adeline’s room. When he opened the door, she was sitting in front of the mirror as she applied powder to her cheeks.
‘There you are,’ he said, tossing the stolen money on to the bed, ‘I’ve brought you another gift, Ad.’
She was more concerned by his appearance. ‘There’s blood on your coat,’ she said, ‘and a bruise on your face. Have you been fighting?’
He sniggered. ‘No — I was just teaching someone a lesson.’
The unwelcome arrival of Edward Tallis had astounded Colbeck and sown instant terror into the heart of Leeming. They had been discussing the case over a drink in the bar at the Acland Tavern when the superintendent popped up like a jack-in-the-box. Charging across to them, he leant menacingly over their table.
‘I was told that I’d find you here,’ he snarled.
‘Good evening, sir,’ said Colbeck, recovering his poise. ‘You must have had a long and tiring journey. May we offer you a drink?’
‘No, Inspector, but you can offer me an explanation.’
‘For what, dare I ask?’
‘For this,’ said Tallis, taking a letter from his pocket and flinging it down on the table. ‘Read it.’
Colbeck picked it up. ‘It appears to be from the Bishop of Exeter.’
‘Indeed, it is, and he’s a very angry bishop. He’s demanding that I remove you and Leeming from this investigation and take you back to London.’
‘That would suit me, sir,’ Leeming piped up.
‘Your wishes are irrelevant.’
