‘I don’t think so, Inspector. My money is on Bagsy.’
‘Are you any nearer to catching him?’
‘We believe that we are,’ said Steel, confidently. ‘Earlier today my men arrested a prostitute by the name of Adeline Goss. She lives in Rockfield Place and that’s infested with them. We received information that she knew Bagsy Browne and had recently been seen with him. That’s why I authorised the raid.’
‘What happened?’
‘Her room was searched but there was no sign of him.’
‘How reliable is your informant?’
‘He’s very reliable, as a rule,’ explained Steel, ‘because he needs the money. He’s an Irishman named Finbar Mulleady and he got fed up with eating prison food. So he mended his ways and became an informant instead. We’ve been paying for his drink these last couple of years.’
‘Did you get anything out of the woman?’ asked Leeming.
Steel grinned. ‘Yes, we got the vilest abuse I’ve ever heard.’
‘I take it that she even denied knowing Browne.’
‘They’re old friends. Several people have confirmed that.’
‘Are you certain of securing a conviction?’ asked Colbeck.
‘There’s no doubt about that. Mulleady is prepared to swear on oath that he saw them together in Rockfield Place, so she’ll be convicted of harbouring a wanted man. And once Adeline Goss is imprisoned, we have the perfect bait for Bagsy.’
‘Do you think he’d try to rescue her?’
‘I’m sure of it, Inspector. It’s the kind of perverted gallantry I’d expect of him. Catch his woman and we have a good chance of catching him.’
Colbeck was sceptical. ‘It may not be as simple as that.’
‘We have the trump card,’ said Steel. ‘We have Mulleady. His eyesight may get blurred after a few pints of beer but he knows what he saw. Bagsy and the woman are lovers. Because she aided him, he won’t desert her now. Once we’ve caught him,’ he added with a complacent smile, ‘we can prosecute Bagsy for the murder and Mulleady can collect a very large reward.’
A wet and blustery night kept most people at home but one man had been lured out. Impervious to the weather, he floated gently along the canal. Finbar Mulleady would be unable to claim anything now.
CHAPTER TEN
Caleb Andrews was deadly serious about his new friendship and it was disturbing. Madeleine had never known him take such care with his appearance. He was not due to visit Binnie Langton’s house until the afternoon, yet he was all spruced up in his best suit and kept stopping in front of a mirror to comb his hair and stroke his beard. Someone who jokingly criticised Colbeck for his vanity was now leaving himself open to a similar charge. Madeleine worried that her father had been far too quick to bestow his affections on a woman he knew too little about.
‘Perhaps I should come with you,’ she said.
‘What would be the point of that?’
‘I’d like to meet Mrs Langton.’
‘All in good time, Maddy,’ he said. ‘I want to enjoy the pleasure of being alone with her for once. That’s how we can really become acquainted.’
‘Things are moving too fast.’
‘They have to at our age. We’re not like you and Inspector Colbeck. Both of you are young enough to take your time. We don’t have years to spare.’
It was a sobering reminder of her long courtship. Madeleine had always known that she’d marry Colbeck one day but she’d been kept waiting far longer than she’d anticipated. Indeed, the delay was so protracted that her father — though talked out of it by Madeleine — had toyed with the notion of asking if Colbeck really did intend to lead her to the altar. His daughter was an attractive woman with many admirers. If one man was keeping her waiting, Andrews argued, perhaps it was time she looked elsewhere. Madeleine had disagreed. Her love for Colbeck was far too deep for her even to entertain the idea of befriending another man, but it hadn’t stopped her from wondering if and when they could at last set the date for their wedding.
‘I’ve done this before, remember,’ said Andrews, back in front of the mirror again. ‘I know how to choose a wife. Your mother was the light of my life, Maddy. I couldn’t wish for a better wife. I’m not pretending that Binnie could match her in any way but … I feel the need for female company. Is that such a crime?’
‘No, Father, it isn’t.’
‘I hoped that you’d be happy for me.’
‘I would be if I knew more about the lady.’
‘I like her — that’s all you need to know.’
‘And is she just as fond of you?’
He chortled. ‘I think it’s safe to say that.’
‘Have you told her about me?’ asked Madeleine.
‘What a silly question! Of course I’ve told her about you. She wanted to know everything about me and she was very excited when I told her that the famous Railway Detective was going to be my son-in-law.’ He took her gently by the shoulders. ‘Try to stop worrying, Maddy. I’m not some lovesick young man with his head in the clouds.’
‘I just don’t want you to make a decision you’ll later regret.’
‘I haven’t made
‘Then why are you dressed as if you’re going to church?’
He stood back and spread his arms. ‘I want to make a good impression,’ he said. ‘Think of all those years when I came home with the filth and stink of the railways on me. That’s all in the past, Maddy. I’m going to be well groomed and smartly dressed from now on — just like a certain person I could mention.’
Madeleine smiled. ‘You could never look as elegant as Robert.’
‘I couldn’t afford it, for a start.’
‘But you do look nice, Father. I hope that Mrs Langton appreciates you.’
‘There’s no doubt about that,’ he said with another chortle. ‘Binnie is full of appreciation. She’s going to make a cake for me. Apparently, she’s a very good cook.’
‘What time will I expect you back?’
‘I haven’t gone yet.’
‘I need to know when to prepare dinner.’
‘I’m sorry, Maddy, I can’t say when I’ll be back. I’m only invited for tea but, if things develop in the way I hope, I may stay a lot longer. Expect me when you see me. That’s my advice.’
Madeleine’s anxiety was intensified.
Preoccupied as he was with the search for a killer, Colbeck never forgot that he was due to get married at the end of the month. Whenever he passed a church or caught a glimpse of the cathedral, he felt a surge of pleasure. In the weeks leading up to the event, it would have been far more convenient for him to be working in London, but crime popped up in all parts of the railway network and he would travel anywhere to grapple with it. Morning started with breakfast at the Acland Tavern. Mercifully, Tallis was late getting up, so Colbeck and Leeming were able to enjoy the meal without his invasive presence. They also had the opportunity to discuss domestic concerns.
‘I miss Estelle and the children so much,’ said Leeming.
‘You could always keep in touch by letter.’
‘It’s not the same as seeing them in the flesh, sir. Well, it must be the same for you and Miss Andrews.’
‘It is,’ said Colbeck, resignedly. ‘I’d love Madeleine to be here with me but that’s wholly impractical.’
‘I know the feeling. When I went to Dawlish yesterday, I had this sudden desire to show it to my family. I could just imagine stepping off the train and giving them their first look at that lovely beach. Then they could feed
