Read Online Coffin Knows the Answer by Gwendoline Butler - Free Book Online

drinking spot where you could get good wine and food. The chic world of the Second City had discovered it (prompted thereto by Mimsie Marker who was reputed to own a share) and it was always crowded.
    â€˜I know where it is,’ said Paul. ‘See you there.’ He was early but Dr Carmichael was already there before him, seated by the window, drinking chilled white wine and eating a smoked salmon sandwich.
    â€˜Looks expensive,’ said Paul as he slid into a seat.
    â€˜It is,’ agreed Carmichael, ‘but good.’ He raised his hand to the waiter. ‘I’ve ordered the same for you.’
    â€˜You’re paying?’ But he knew his friend.
    â€˜Of course not.’ Dr Carmichael quaffed his wine. ‘I’ve done a lot of work on pretty odious stuff for your lot.’ He nodded his head. ‘It’s been interesting. I started off with no clear ideas of what was what. I never like to make up my mind in advance.’
    Paul Masters nodded, this being all that was required of him.
    â€˜I suppose I took it for granted at first that the pictures came from one source. My experience is that the pornographer enjoys his own products beyond anyone else’s. I mean it’s kind of personal to them. But by degrees, I realised that there was no unity in this collection. I’ve got a much clearer idea of what has been going on: the chap who was collecting them and sending them on was interested in distressing the Chief Commander and Miss Pinero rather
than giving himself pleasure. That’s not usually the way of it.’
    â€˜I already got the idea that he didn’t care for the Chief Commander and Lady Coffin very much.’
    â€˜All the same, it alters the picture.’
    â€˜I’ll tell the Chief Commander what you say. Not that his mind will be on it until he gets Stella safe home again. Of course, he’s got these serial murders on his mind too.’
    â€˜An obsessive paedophile and a serial killer, what a world,’ said Dr Carmichael. ‘Could they be connected? Who is handling the killings?’
    â€˜Superintendent Miller and Inspector Winnie Ardet. Phoebe Astley is handling the paedophile case … she took over when Joe Jones went out sick. She was working with Mercy Adams but Mercy is away too at the moment. But she’ll be back.’
    â€˜Two good teams. I’ve had to work on a couple of the bodies, and let me tell you, they were not a pleasant job. There is something about them that reminds me of the paedophile’s activities … .’ He stopped. ‘Same man doing both perhaps … Do you know, I think I’ve said something important …’
    â€˜You might have done.’ Paul knew that his friend never underestimated himself.
    â€˜Tell the Chief Commander, will you?’
    â€˜He might have thought of it for himself …Anyway, can I give you a lift home?
    Paul Masters drove slowly through Spinnergate where the traffic was always heavy. He caught sight of a woman threading her way through the crowd on the opposite side of the road. He looked, then looked again.
    â€˜Is that Stella Pinero?’
    Both men watched a slim figure hurrying along.
    â€˜I don’t know,’ said Dr Carmichael. ‘Shall I get out of the car and go after her?’
    â€˜Yes, better had.’

    They stopped the car, but by the time they were on the pavement, the woman had disappeared.
    â€˜It may have been her,’ said Paul, ‘but perhaps I’d better not say anything to the Chief.
    Coffin fed the cat and dog once more, then sat back down in the big chair by the window in which he leaned back with closed eyes. He had not slept the night before because of thinking of Stella. Or that was what it felt like, but he thought he might have dreamt of her.
    She had been gone for well over twenty-four hours now. He was constantly thinking of Stella. All the police teams were alerted to look for her, to report