Free Find the Innocent by Roy Vickers Page A

law-lawyer—knows a hell of a lot about law and nothing about anything else. I’m not sure he hasn’t done me a good turn—even if it hurts. Get me headquarters.”
    While the connection was being made, Benjoy wrote a memo of his own.
Summary of Evidence
    Conflict: Each states he was alone at the lockhouse. Eddis makes no other relevant statement or denial. On the events of the night there is no joint statement.
    Agreement: While denouncing each other as liars, Canvey and Stranack give substantially the same account of events which only one could have witnessed , viz:—
1.
Girl arrived at (say) dusk and left at (say) 2 a.m. (checked)
2.
Love making ensued (not checked)
3.
Girl herself ’phoned for car (checked)
4.
Entered car unescorted (checked)
5.
Girl was young, attractive, of prosperous classes (Checked by driver who described her as “lady”).
    Curwen accepted it with the encouraging smile.
    â€œQuite right, boy! Proves that one of ’em is telling the truth—even if it’s only the driver.”
    Half an hour later, Curwen paraded the three men and made a little speech.
    â€œYou know that you are all under suspicion. Each of you has given me an account of your movements that conflicts with the accounts of the other two. If you wish to avoid being detained in custody, you will report here every day. You will keep me informed of your movements and absences from home of more than three hours and will not change your place of residence.”
    â€œIf that means that we’ve all three got to go on living cheek-by-jowl in that lockhouse,” said Canvey, “I’d rather be in custody.”
    â€œI support that amendment,” said Eddis.
    Curwen cursed under his breath.
    â€œHave it your own way! I suppose one of you will have to look after the lockhouse, though it’s not my business. The other two must find a new local address quickly. Which of you is going to the lockhouse?”
    As a public speaker Curwen had yet to learn the unwisdom of asking a question which nobody need answer. The silence lengthened.
    â€œSo it’s like that, is it!” he growled. Headquarters had confirmed Mr. Higstock’s ruling, leaving him without a weapon. “If you can’t make up your minds, why don’t you toss for the lockhouse job?”
    â€œOdd man out!” cried Stranack and banged a coin on the Inspector’s table. The others did the same, then uncovered.
    â€œTails!” called Stranack.
    â€œTails!” called Canvey.
    â€œHeads!” called Eddis. “I’m odd man out—again. I wish the police were superstitious.”
    â€œPerhaps the Inspector will be kind enough to find us some good, clean and very cheap lodgings,” said Canvey.
    â€œI can’t afford lodgings,” said Stranack. “I’ll be staying at the Red Lion on tick.”
    After they had gone Curwen, working at his desk, gave a routine order to Benjoy and received no answer.
    â€œWake up, boy! What’s the matter?”
    â€œSorry, sir! I was thinking about that girl. I mean, if she has already come back to Renchester to spoil the game—and the killers are at large—”
    â€œThey aren’t all that at large. They’ll be tailed day and night. Give the local police a spot of exercise. Come to that, I guess the girl will be in no hurry to get her fingers burnt. Gimme that glossy you bought, will you?”
    Again he gazed at the photograph of Veronica Brengast. The sort of face that makes you think there’s a lot behind it, when there isn’t. There was that lie about the car ride. That nonsense about not being able to look for her husband! Why didn’t she look for the Daimler? If there were two Daimlers like that in Renchester, it’d be a lot. She might have gone to her sister, for cover, but if she did she started the journey after two ack emma.
    â€œLovely paper they use for these things! Were there