Read Online Coroner's Pidgin by Margery Allingham - Free Book Online Page A

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    â€œIt’s a wedding present, is it?” he enquired.
    â€œThe wrap?” Johnny jerked at the lapel of his brocaded coat. “Yes, from a thrifty aunt. Something my late uncle had by him and thought too precious to wear. I’m not sure he wasn’t right.”
    â€œI should like to do a room for it,” said Ricky looking up from his corner. “Something Edwardian in green, and a rather hot red.”
    â€œOh, don’t. Don’t play the fool,” Gwenda burst out wretchedly. “You’re all so terrified you’re just sitting about being silly.”
    â€œThat’s where you happen to be wrong, my dear girl.” Ricky’s full, childish lips narrowed spitefully and his soft eyes were near tears and annoyance. “I simply don’t feel it’s anything whatever to do with me, that’s all.”
    There certainly was an irritating smugness in his voice but no one was prepared for the irritation it produced in Gwenda.
    â€œHow you dare, Ricky,” she said, leaning up on the couch, her cheeks flushing and her hair a little untidy. “You’re just the same; always trying to shirk responsibilities. You who wept and howled in rage like a baby only last week because you were so afraid that when Johnny got married and the family split up there’d be no place for you any more.”
    â€œI didn’t. You’re a beast, Gwenda. My God, how I loathe you. I didn’t. I didn’t weep or—or howl.” The man was on the verge of weeping now, and in any other circumstances must have made a supremely comic figure standing amid his coloured silks, every line in his plump body strained and his face crimson.
    Johnny sat looking at him gloomy-eyed, but with the little muscles at the corners of his mouth twitching still.
    â€œOh, be quiet, Ricky,” said Onyer laughing.
    â€œI shan’t. You always take her part.” His childishness was extraordinary, but there was no silencing him. “She’spractically accusing me and I don’t see why she should. If anybody really hated the idea of this marriage, she did, and you too, Peter. You both swore it would be the end of everything and you’re both of you quite capable of staging this perfectly revolting thing to get your own way. In fact, everybody in this room is. Old Gee-gee Gold had as much to lose as anybody. Besides what about Eve? She’s been looking like death lately. If Johnny’s decided to let us all down I don’t see why you should decide that I was the one to do something about it.”
    â€œRicky, shut up.” Johnny spoke quietly, but there was tremendous authority in his voice.
    â€œI shan’t. I’ve been accused, and I shall have my say. Gwenda’s always . . .”
    Johnny got up and went over to him.
    â€œI’ll break your neck, Ricky,” he said.
    â€œDo,” said Ricky recklessly. “You’ve got like everybody else since this blasted war. You’re like the animals I have to spend my time with. I’m having hell, I tell you, absolute hell.”
    It dawned on Mr. Campion that he was probably speaking the truth. The life of a man like Ricky Silva as a conscript private in the British Army did not bear consideration. Something of the same idea had evidently occurred to Carados; he dropped his arms and his shoulders sagged a little. He looked old for his years, and weary, and once again Campion was aware of some far greater trouble than the one which appeared on the surface.
    â€œWhere are you lunching, Ricky?” said Johnny.
    â€œI was going to old Carrie Larradine’s. She’s got some glorious dresses which belonged to her great-grandmother, and we were going to have them out and discuss them. She wants my advice. She promised me ages ago.”
    â€œI see. Well, would you like to go?”
    Ricky looked at his wrist-watch. He was trembling so violently that he could scarcely