Free 1965 - The Way the Cookie Crumbles by James Hadley Chase

handicap.
    ‘I’m down to four now.’ He shook his head ruefully. ‘Not my idea. I get an awful beating every now and then.’
    He leaned back in his chair and rested his big hands on the desk. His look of inquiry told Terrell that although he was pleased to see him, he was busy.
    ‘Mr. Devon,’ Terrell began slowly, ‘I’m making inquiries about a woman. It is just possible you may be able to help me. Her name is Muriel Marsh Devon.’
    Devon stiffened. His mouth tightened and a sharp probing expression came into his eyes.
    ‘That’s the name of my wife, Captain,’ he said. ‘Is she in some kind of trouble?’
    ‘You could call it that,’ he said and scratched the side of his jaw. ‘She died last night - suicide.’
    Devon became motionless. He stared fixedly at Terrell who felt sorry for him.
    ‘It must be close on fifteen years since we parted,’ he said finally. ‘We married when we were kids. I was nineteen at the time. It lasted scarcely two years. Suicide? I’m sorry to hear that. You - you’re sure it is Muriel?’
    ‘There is a daughter, Norena,’ Terrell said.
    ‘That’s right. Have you news of her?’
    ‘She’s arriving in Seacombe some time this morning.’
    ‘I see. This will be a shock to her.’ Devon looked up.
    ‘Would you know if she was fond of her mother?’
    ‘I believe she was,’ Terrell said, hesitated, then went on, ‘The case is a painful one, Mr. Devon. I take it you know nothing about what has been happening to your wife after she left you?’
    Looking suddenly apprehensive, Devon shook his head.
    Briefly, but omitting no important details, Terrell told him all he had learned of Muriel Marsh Devon. He concluded with the murder of Johnnie Williams and Muriel’s suicide at La Coquille restaurant.
    Motionless, a frozen expression on his face, Devon listened.
    Having said his say, Terrell got to his feet and walked to the big window and stared down at the busy yachts in the basin. Some moments later, Devon said quietly, ‘Thank you, Captain. It’s not a pretty story, is it? You’re sure Norena knows nothing about her mother’s way of life?’
    Terrell returned to his chair and sat down.
    ‘Edris says not. I can imagine what you are thinking, Mr. Devon, but you mustn’t worry. If handled right, this story can be smothered. I have already talked to Brewer who is, I understand, a friend of yours. I’m pretty sure he will agree to keep both you and your daughter out of this. Besides, Browning is determined to have it hushed up and he has a lot of influence with the press.’
    Devon appeared to relax a little.
    ‘But is it possible to hush it up? This man Edris is a bit of a character, isn’t he? He has often waited on me at the restaurant. There’s something about him I don’t exactly like. Is he to be trusted?’
    ‘He seems genuinely fond of your daughter. He said he would do whatever he could to keep her name out of this mess. I’m pretty sure you can rely on him.’
    ‘Do you know anything about him, Captain? I’m sure you realize that if we do manage to hush this up, I could be a perfect target for blackmail. If the story breaks, I would have to resign from the bank. I couldn’t continue to hold my present position here even though I haven’t associated with Muriel for seventeen years. The story is just too sordid.’
    ‘You don’t have to worry about that,’ Terrell said. ‘We have nothing against Edris. In fact, from what we learn, he has an excellent character.’
    ‘Then I’ll leave it all to you, Captain, most gratefully. You say Norena is coming back this morning?’
    ‘So Edris says. He thought you would want to see her as soon as possible.’
    ‘Of course.’ Devon turned and stared out of the window. ‘It’s hard to believe I now have a seventeen-year old daughter. I always wanted Norena. Taking her from me as Muriel did was the unkindest thing she ever did to me. It’s something I have never been able to forgive her for. I did