Read Online Murder on Charing Cross Road by Joan Smith - Free Book Online Page A

one I can think of.”
    “That’s dandy!”Coffen said. “I know who you mean. Matter of fact, and just between you and me and the bedpost, that name has come up before.”
    “Really! You folks in the Berkeley Brigade work fast! It must be an important case.”
    Coffen had no intention of revealing just how important it was. “It’s personal,”he said, in a confiding way. “Harry was some connection to Luten. One of them half cousins twice removed, or some such thing. You wouldn’t know the connection between Bolton and Morgrave?”The name slipped out before he could prevent it, but it was no matter. McRaney had as well as said it himself.
    “That I couldn’t tell you. Harry was kind of close-mouthed about what he did and who he knew. Funny fellow. It was just a few evenings ago I met him as we were both leaving, asked him if he’d like to go out for a few wets, and he said he had to see this chap, Morgraine. I said ‘Let’s all go together.' He gave me a funny look and said it was business he had with Morgraine, not pleasure. I didn’t get the feeling they were friends. You don’t think this Morgraine killed him?”
    “A bit early to say that,”Coffen said, rising. He had got what he came for and was eager to get back and tell Luten what he had discovered before he took Corinne calling on a murderer. “If you wouldn’t mind, Mr. McRaney, just keep all this under your hat.”
    “Mum’s the word,”McRaney said.
    McRaney rose and accompanied him to the door. “It’s been a real thrill meeting one of the Berkeley Brigade,”he said, still smiling. “If there’s anything I can do to help, just let me know. Poor Harry. A shame. I wonder what Morgraine had against him. I wouldn’t think Harry was the kind to be up to anything illegal, or —" He shook his head in confusion. “Maybe there was a woman involved. Something like that.”
    “Did Harry strike you that way? A womanizer?”
    “He never had any women here, as far as I know. But we weren’t close friends. Just casual acquaintances. Harry didn’t seem to have many friends really. Kind of a solitary fellow. I’m sure the Brigade will figure it all out.”
    They parted and Coffen caught a hackney back to Berkeley Square.
     

Chapter Nine
     
    Since Corinne’s marriage, Coffen had become shy about dropping in for meals when Luten was at home. As it was possible he was at home today with the new case to solve, Coffen went to Prance’s house for lunch instead. The food would be good, but there’d be either a lecture on manners along with it or more boasting about his book. At least he had an excellent excuse, even a reason. Prance would want to know what was going on. Unfortunately Prance had been put to bed by his doctor, so Coffen went to his own house and dined on cold cuts and crusty bread. As soon as he had finished his modest repast, he went across the street to call on Luten.
    He found the newlyweds still at the table having coffee and was invited to join them. When Corinne asked whether he had had lunch, he replied that he’d “had a bite”, in such a hungry-looking way that she asked Evans to bring him a large piece of apple tart and cheddar.
    He wasted no time making his report. “Morgrave’s our man right enough,”he said. “The manager of the flats put me on to a fellow called McRaney who was about the only fellow in the building Bolton had anything to do with. They were about the same age and from the same rung of society —gentlemen but not well greased, to judge by where they live. He told McRaney he was meeting Morgrave one evening last week. McRaney wasn’t sure of the name, thought it was Morgraine, but he mentioned the Honourable, so it’s the same person right enough. Anyhow, when McRaney suggested they all go out for a drink together, Bolton refused. Said it was a business meeting. I figure he was on a spying mission and didn’t want company. What we’ve got to do is break into Morgrave’s flat and look for