‘Why?’
‘Why else? There’s a lady in the case.’
‘Ah, I see. You want to set a thief to catch a thief.’
‘Not exactly,’ he said. ‘This particular lady may turn out to be a hapless victim but she does hold critical information. I need to get it from her and that may involve you.’
‘I’ll do anything you ask me, Robert.’
He smiled roguishly. ‘You might care to rephrase that,’ he said. ‘It puts you in a position of great vulnerability.’
‘I trust you completely.’
‘Then I’ll do nothing to break that trust.’
‘Who is this lady?’
‘That’s the problem – I don’t have her name yet.’
‘But you think she’s involved in some way?’
‘Oh, yes,’ he said. ‘I need to ask her about a missing hatbox.’
If he had not become a bookmaker, Hamilton Fido could easily have pursued a career on the stage. Tall, slim and lithe, he had an actor’s good looks, mellifluous voice and sheer presence. In his black frock coat and fawn trousers, he was an arresting figure with his mane of black wavy hair almost brushing his shoulders. Still in his thirties, Fido was so astute, well informed and ruthless that he had become one of the most successful bookmakers in London. His office was in an upstairs room in the tavern where he sometimes staged exhibition bouts with promising young boxers. In the courtyard at the rear of the building, illegal cock fights and dogfights were also arranged for those who liked to mix blood with their betting.
Hamilton Fido was seated at his desk, poring over a copy of the
‘Go away, whoever you are,’ he ordered. ‘I’m too busy.’
‘You’re not too busy to see
‘Kitty!’ he exclaimed, going across to embrace her. ‘What are you doing here?’
‘Let go of me,’ she said, turning her face away when he tried to kiss her. ‘It’s not that sort of visit.’
He released her and stepped back. ‘What’s the matter?’
‘That’s what I’ve come to tell you.’
‘Can I offer you a drink?’
‘No, I just want you to listen to me.’
‘I’ll do that all day and all night,’ said Fido, leering politely at her. ‘Especially all night.’ He conducted her to a chair and sat beside her. ‘You look distressed, my darling. Has anything happened?’
‘Do you remember that stolen hatbox?’
‘The one that was taken from that hotel?’
‘Yes, Hamilton.’
‘Forget all about it,’ he advised. ‘I know it was a shock at the time but I forced the management to pay for a new one. When a theft occurs on their premises, they must take responsibility.’
‘That’s not the point.’
‘If you’re still upset, I’ll buy you another one – two, if you wish.’
‘You’re not listening to me,’ she complained.
He took her hand. ‘I won’t let anything trouble you,’ he said, placing a gentle kiss on it. ‘You’re mine now and I’ll look after you.’
‘My hatbox has been found, Hamilton.’
‘What?’
‘By the police.’
His smile vanished instantly and he let go of her hand. Recovering quickly, he gave her a reassuring pat on the arm. ‘That’s wonderful news,’ he said. ‘Where was it found?’
‘At the railway station in Crewe.’
‘Crewe – now that rings a bell.’
‘Apparently, it had a man’s head in it.’
Kitty’s face crumpled at the memory. When he reached out to embrace her, she went willingly into his arms. He held her tight for a few moments then drew back so that he could look her in the face.
‘You obviously don’t read the newspapers, my darling. There was an item days ago about a severed head being discovered in Crewe. It never crossed my mind that it was found in
‘Well, it was.’
‘How do you know?’
‘Let’s just say that I was reliably informed.’
‘Have the police been in touch with you?’
‘No,’ she replied, ‘and there’s no reason why they should. They won’t be able to connect me with the hatbox.’
‘Then what are you worrying about?’
‘You, Hamilton – don’t you see the implications?’
‘All I can see is that my little darling has been badly shaken and that my job is to soothe her. You must have had a terrible jolt when you heard the news.’
‘It made me feel sick, Hamilton.’
‘Try to put the whole thing behind you. It’s the best way.’
‘How can I?’ she asked in despair. ‘This affects both of us. It was quite deliberate.’
‘What was?’
‘The theft of that hatbox – somebody stole it on purpose. That means somebody
‘I told nobody where we were going – neither did you.’
‘One of us must have been followed.’
‘In that case,’ he said with a flash of anger, ‘you’re right to be alarmed. I won’t stand for it, Kitty. I’m bound to make enemies in my profession but I didn’t think any of them would go this far. The murder victim must be linked to me in some way. This is an attack on me and the worst of it is that you were involved.’
‘I’m frightened,’ she confessed. ‘I keep looking over my shoulder in case someone is following me.’
‘We can soon solve that problem, Kitty. I’ll have one of my men act as your bodyguard. Nobody will dare to come anywhere near you.’
‘What about you?’
‘I can look after myself,’ he said, flicking his coat open to show her the pearl-handled pistol he kept in a leather holster. ‘There are too many bad losers about these days. I have to protect myself.’
‘I keep thinking about that severed head.’
‘Somebody will pay for that, mark my words!’
‘I didn’t believe that anyone could do such a thing,’ she said. ‘Who do you think the victim could be, Hamilton?’
‘I intend to find out straight away. I didn’t get where I am today without knowing who and when to bribe. I have two or three policemen in my pocket, Kitty. It’s time they earned their money,’ he said harshly. ‘I’ll have that name before the day is out.’
‘John Feeny?’ said Victor Leeming. ‘Who was he, Inspector?’
‘An Irish lad with ambitions to be a jockey.’
‘Poor devil!’
‘He came to England to better himself,’ said Colbeck sadly, ‘and fell foul of someone. Brian Dowd spoke well of him. Feeny had a real love of horses and he worked hard for low pay.’
‘I can sympathise with that,’ muttered the sergeant.
