Free 1951 - But a Short Time to Live by James Hadley Chase Page A

stirred his tea with a penholder and stared down at the blotter on his desk.
    "You're sure of that?"
    "Absolutely."
    "Well, he wanted that roll of film for some reason or other. Perhaps you took someone he's working with. Do you remember anyone objecting to being photographed?"
    Well, of course, Harry did. The bulky figure of Clair's companion loomed up in his mind. But he wasn't going to get Clair mixed up with the police. That's the last thing he intended to do.
    "No," he said, and unable to meet Parkins's steady stare, looked away. "No one objected."
    "Don't rush at it," Parkins said quietly. "There's plenty of time. Just think about it for a few minutes."
    "There's nothing to think about," Harry said curtly. "No one objected."
    There was a pause, then Parkins lifted his massive shoulders.
    "Well, that's that then," he said. "A pity. This fella's dangerous, Mr. Ricks. We want to catch him."
    "Well, I'm not stopping you," Harry said, and because he had told a lie and his head ached, he was angry with the inspector and himself.
    Parkins looked at him for a long, uncomfortable moment
    "Think it over," he said. "You may remember later on, and if you do I hope you'll let me know. This chap's dangerous. One of these nights if he goes on as he's been going on, he'll hit someone who has a thin skull, and then there'll be trouble. Any little clue might lead us to him. You're still quite sure no one objected?"
    Harry felt his face redden.
    "Yes, I'm sure," he said. "But if I think of anyone I'll let you know."
    Parkins rose to his feet
    "All right Well, I don't suppose a good night's rest will do you any harm. There's a car outside to take you home. Mr. Mooney will go with you. Do you think you would recognise this tow-headed chap again?"
    "Oh, yes," Harry said grimly. "I'd know him anywhere."
    "Well, that's something. If you do see him again, call a policeman. Don't try anything heroic yourself."
    "All right," Harry said, and got unsteadily to his feet,
    Mooney took his arm.
    "I'm right with you, kid," he said. "Take it easy and lean on me."
    When they had gone, Parkins stared thoughtfully at Dawson.
    "I think it'd pay us to keep an eye on that young fellow," he said. "He knows more about this than he says. Now, I wonder what made him lie like that? Put Jenkins on to him for the next few days. I think it might be interesting to find out who his friends are."
     
     

chapter ten
     
    A lthough Harry made out he wasn't badly hurt, he did feel shaky, and the shock made him restless and nervous. He was quite pleased to spend a day in bed, and when Mooney told him to take the rest of the week off, and not to come to the studio until Monday, he didn't need any persuading.
    Mrs. Westerham volunteered to provide him with meals, and Ron moved his typewriter to a friend's office in Fleet Street
    "You rest and sleep," he said to Harry. "I won't disturb you. After a couple of days you'll be as fit as a flea again."
    But Harry didn't feel like sleeping. He was worried about Clair. Was it possible, he kept asking himself, that her companion of last night had had anything to do with the tow-headed chap? Had he told the tow-headed chap to get the film from Harry? If so, why?
    Harry had said nothing to Ron about Brady. He felt that until he had asked Clair for an explanation, the less he told anyone the better. It occurred to him that as Clair had cut him last night, she might not want to see him again, and that thought sent his temperature up.
    Mrs. Westerham was continually popping in and out. She was a tall, bony woman, as thin as a bean stick, with a mass of greying hair done up like a cottage loaf on the top of her head. Harry liked her, but he didn't feel in the mood to listen to her endless gossip, so most times when she came in he pretended to be asleep.
    "What would you like for lunch, Mr. Ricks?" she asked, slipping into the room without warning.
    "I've a nice bit of cod or you could have an omelet; only those Polish eggs are very