Read Online The Unkindest Cut by Gerald Hammond - Free Book Online Page B

one with training as a SOCO. ‘Now, Jane.’
    Jane handed over the surgery key and pulled herself together. ‘Eh?’ she said.
    â€˜Your bright idea.’
    â€˜Oh yes. First, I’d better say that I’m sorry. I told Helen Maple to clean my surgery.’
    Ian did not say a rude word but Jane was in little doubt that he was thinking it from the way his frown deepened and his shoulders slumped in resignation that another aspect of this investigation was going to prove fruitless.
    Jane said quickly, ‘It would seem that your wildest guess has come off. The guilty party hurried up to Kempfield, presumably in case he might have been missed if he’d failed to show up. Because GG was one of the leading spirits of the Creative Adventure Centre and because he was first and foremost a photographer, we have a thriving photography section and, perhaps because I was presenting a certain sort of picture …’ She felt her face burning at the thought of so many images of her with her more intimate parts visible through diaphanous lace and found it hard to continue.
    â€˜It’s all right,’ Ian said. ‘I understand.’
    â€˜Well, the cameras were hard at work during the wedding. You could have read a newspaper by the flashes as Deborah and I walked up what I suppose we have to think of as the aisle. The darkrooms at Kempfield will be busy for the next few days or weeks, being tidied up and put back the way they belong. When you see Lucas Fraine you could suggest that he gets the photography members to print off every shot of people, along with the time of the photograph if the camera is so equipped. You could get everybody who was there to name anyone within a certain age bracket …’
    Ian smiled on her and this time she was sure that it was not just that he was recalling her in her nightdress. ‘Yes,’ he said, ‘I do find it helpful. But who pays for the huge volume of printing paper is something we’ll have to think about. That stuff comes expensive.’
    â€˜Cheapskate! It’s grossly overpriced but most of them are using digital cameras now and you can make a perfectly good print from them on typing paper. Not exhibition quality but good enough to recognize a wedding guest.’
    Ian had the grace to look ashamed. ‘I should have thought of that, but I leave that sort of thing to the boys who are trained for it. We’ll put it in hand, starting with the digital users. Do me another favour. Sit quietly for a minute while I prepare a short email to Edinburgh to let my chiefs know what’s afoot.’
    It was a fine day. Two fine days in succession made an occasion worthy of a memorial in bronze. Jane looked out at the sunshine smiling on the town while Ian typed away at almost professional speed. They were both interrupted by the return of DS Bright accompanied by a snub-nosed, vacant-faced youth. This was Hugh Dodd, a casual worker at Ledbetter’s garage and generally supposed to be a by-blow of the elder Ledbetter. Ledbetter himself made a third.
    â€˜Here!’ Ledbetter Senior said. ‘I don’t know how much cash the man with the knife got hold of but there’s no need to ruin my business for the rest of my day. And what about all the drivers who’ll be getting stuck at the roadside?’
    â€˜Your office and shop stay closed until we’ve examined them,’ Ian said firmly. ‘Petrol sales can continue. Sit somebody out at the pumps with a card table and a cash box to take the money.’
    â€˜I need young Hugh. That’s his job,’ Ledbetter Senior demanded.
    â€˜You can’t have him. Do it yourself,’ was the detective’s retort.
    Ian was obviously not going to be overawed by a local businessman. Ledbetter tried a more conciliatory tone. ‘But the read-out of the amounts due is inside the shop. And so’s the credit card machine.’
    Ian had his own worries. ‘Then