Free The Blood Diamond by John Creasey Page A

He’s the most infuriating beggar – didn’t even look at the emptied safe, but casually promised to let me have a list of the stolen goods in the morning. I let him have his way.’
    â€˜Why didn’t he want to give it to you tonight?’
    â€˜He made the excuse that the full list was at Quinn’s. I think he wanted to get rid of me so that his wife could take it easy. I wouldn’t put it past her to tell him something she kept from me. They’re hard to crack. Mannering’s so often right, too.’
    â€˜About what, this time?’
    â€˜The Addel woman. If she’s involved and we go after her at once, we’ll warn her accomplices. We couldn’t do more than take a statement at the moment. She might lie to us, and we could easily foul the trail.’
    â€˜What you mean,’ said Anderson-Kerr, dryly, ‘is that you think Mannering can get more out of her than you, and you think he ought to be allowed to try.’
    â€˜I suppose that’s it,’ Bristow admitted.
    The A.C. stood up.
    â€˜You’re probably right. But we’ve got to get that killer. If Mannering suffers in the process, it’s his lookout. Is the flat being watched?’
    â€˜I’ve two men on duty there.’
    â€˜I’d give Mannering his head but make sure you know where he’s going,’ Anderson-Kerr said. ‘Get home now, Bristow, you look all in.’
    Â 
    Mannering heard Judy moving about the apartment, lay still and studied Lorna, who was sleeping on her side. It would be a pity to wake her. He glanced at the bedside clock and started to get out of bed, to stop Judy bringing in the morning tea.
    Lorna stirred.
    She looked rested; when she opened her eyes, they were quite clear. He stood watching her, as recollection flooded her mind, and saw the way her body tensed.
    â€˜Slept well, my sweet?’
    â€˜Eh? Oh, yes.’
    Judy tapped.
    â€˜Come in,’ Mannering said. He took the tea tray at the door. ‘Thanks, Judy.’ He went to Lorna’s bed, put the tray on it and began to pour out. Head ache?’
    â€˜Not too much. What’s the time?’
    â€˜Five past eight.’
    â€˜Larraby’s due at nine.’ She sat up and took her tea.
    â€˜Put him off, and take it easy.’
    â€˜No, I’ll be better up and doing.’
    â€˜Going to take a bath?’
    â€˜Yes, run the water for me, will you?’
    He shaved in the bedroom. Lorna was still in the bathroom when he’d finished, keeping very quiet. He fidgeted for a few minutes, then went in to her. She was standing with the towel round her shoulders, examining her forehead; her hair was tied in an untidy bun at the top, to keep it from being wet. A few damp ends fell to her shoulders and clung to her neck.
    â€˜Is there no privacy?’
    Mannering closed the door.
    â€˜None for an abandoned woman like you. I had visions of you unconscious in the bath. Take it easy today, my sweet.’
    â€˜I keep seeing visions – of having to identify you on a mortuary slab. I think I should faint right out. I—John! It’s cold!’
    He dropped the towel to the floor and put his arms round her.
    â€˜I’ll put that right. Listen, my sweet. I love you. I hate myself for having let you in for that show last night. It was unforgivable. Look at me.’
    She had to look in the mirror, for he stood behind her; their cheeks were close together.
    â€˜Forget it, John.’
    â€˜Not in a lifetime. Just say the word, and I’ll drop the Adalgo case.’
    She said: ‘I half believe you would.’ She laughed, slipped away from him and picked up her robe. ‘And you’d be ten times as moody as I’ve been lately if you did. Darling, I hate these jobs but there’s something fascinating about them, and nothing will ever keep you out of them. If it weren’t this it would be another. Hurry and dress, I want to be ready for