Free The Blood Diamond by John Creasey Page B

Larraby.’
    He kissed her.
    At breakfast, she was gay and seemed fully recovered. Judy, nervous and excited after being told of the attack, had prepared a monumental breakfast; Lorna ate well.
    â€˜You’ll do,’ Mannering said. ‘Now, business! Bristow is arguing with himself whether to let me have a lot of rope, for a hanging – and probably thinks I’ll get more out of Marjorie Addel than he.’
    â€˜Well, you’re better looking.’
    â€˜That probably doesn’t weigh with him.’
    â€˜It would with her. She will deny everything,’ Lorna said.
    â€˜Don’t forget the piece of paper she signed in her excitement. Marjorie and the boyfriend are mixed up in this, and I think she’ll lead the way to others. There’ll be some fun and games when they discover that they haven’t the Adalgo and practically all the other stuff in the safe was paste.’
    â€˜Was it?’ Lorna’s eyes sparkled. ‘I thought—’
    â€˜I’d moved most of the good stuff, there were some odds and ends in the safe, that’s all. Hardly enough to worry the insurance company. Bristow let me put him off until this morning, that’s why I think he wants to encourage me to go on. It’s almost a pity not to disappoint him.’
    â€˜Wicked!’
    The front door bell rang.
    â€˜That’ll be Josh,’ Lorna said.
    â€˜Mr. Larraby has made a conquest,’ Mannering said, dryly.
    It was Larraby. He had shaved and his face shone, but otherwise he was exactly the same. He was carrying a copy of the Morning Cry, and was grave as he entered the dining-room. He raised the paper a little, to draw attention to it, looked at Lorna keenly, and then turned to Mannering.
    â€˜I felt that I ought to keep the appointment, Mr. Mannering, although I shall understand if Mrs. Mannering would rather not do any work this morning. I have read about the affair here last night. I—I am really grieved.’
    â€˜Thanks,’ said Mannering. ‘But it wasn’t your fault.’
    â€˜It certainly wasn’t, Mr. Mannering. I shall never again take anything that is not mine. I’ve never shown any inclination towards violence, I assure you – I hate the thought of it. But that doesn’t stop me from being deeply sorry. And something else has occurred to me since I read this account.’ He held the paper up again, and Mannering, studying him, felt the effect both of his manner and of his appearance; Lorna had been right about his looks. ‘I know I’m a branded criminal, Mr. Mannering. I am still on my ticket and have to report daily to the police station, and tell them of any change of address or means of livelihood.’
    â€˜Well?’ said Mannering.
    â€˜And as the police are here – I saw two downstairs – and you are involved, by coming here I might put you to some inconvenience. The police would possibly—’
    â€˜They know you’re to sit for Mrs. Mannering, and they can think what they like. What’s on your mind, Larraby? Want to back out?’
    â€˜Oh, no, sir!’
    â€˜Have some coffee,’ said Lorna, quickly.
    Well—’
    It was soon evident that Larraby was hungry.
    Â 
    Just before nine-thirty, Lorna took him upstairs. When Mannering went up, half an hour later, Lorna was absorbed, and Larraby sat like an image; he did not even move his eyes to look at Mannering.
    Bristow didn’t telephone.
    Mannering made a list of the stolen goods, gave them to one of the policemen outside, fetched hisTalbot, and drove slowly towards the West End. He wasn’t followed.
    He drove to Lander Street, which was not far from Quinn’s. .A single gown was in the window of the small shop, black with a touch of white at the waist and the neck; a simple effective creation. Would the girl be here? Or would she hide, fearing a visit from him or the police?
    A slim, pale woman approached when he