End of the Line Read Online Free Page B

house. It was . . . disconcerting.’
    The word seemed oddly inadequate for what was obviously passing through her mind, and she shivered.
    â€˜No trace of such a case either on the train or in his room. Mind you it was a cursory search.’
    An official response from Mulholland, who had returned to police persona.
    The woman said nothing. She had not expected the revelations would cost her so much hidden pain.
    The constable realised that the foreign emotion had not been jealousy but pity. And compassion is of little use to a practising policeman.
    â€˜I thank you for this information, Mistress Murdison, and regret any . . . vicissitudes you may have suffered.’
    To this formal statement, Senga nodded, and unconsciously her hand crept up to massage the ribs just under her breast. She turned and looked directly at Mulholland, her eyes dark with memory.
    â€˜We shall draw a veil over that.’
    The canary let out a sharp cheep and the woman turned away to gaze once more into the cage.
    â€˜He’s still hungry,’ she remarked softly. ‘Men and their appetites.’
    * * *
    The bed lay at an angle as if passion had shunted it askew and Mulholland crouched low beside it, trying the uncovered floorboards with his penknife to see if there was a loose fitting. All he had brought up so far was a load of dust and the thought that the timid maid had a lot to answer for as regards avoidance of domestic duty – he then sneezed explosively to prove the point.
    â€˜
Gesundheit
,’ said McLevy cheerily, as he pulled out the last of the sideboard drawers and felt carefully into the aperture for hidden knobs or panels that could conceal a hidey-hole.
    This time he had the bit between his teeth and if necessary he would tear the ceiling down. Something was crying to be discovered, he felt it in his water.
    â€˜The boards are untouched,’ Mulholland coughed.
    â€˜Roll up the carpet then.’
    â€˜Can you not help?’
    â€˜I,’ the inspector announced from on high, Mulholland being on his hands and knees, ‘am searching out secret and subtle regions where one might plank a leather case.’
    The constable sneezed once more.
    â€˜Count your blessings,’ McLevy said sardonically, slamming the last drawer back into place and turning his attention once again to the wardrobe. ‘At least the widow woman is out on the rampage – your virtue is safe.’
    In fact Senga had declared to Mulholland that the thought of McLevy rummaging once again and more extensively through the cavities of her house was more than she could bear, and besides there was an emergency meeting of the reading society to attend.
    â€˜She’s not that bad,’ the constable muttered, peering at one cracked board which might hold some promise.
    â€˜You’ve changed your tune.’
    â€˜I never had a tune.’ Mulholland pried at the floorboard but it stayed stubbornly where it belonged. ‘Just because a woman has a flighty mentality doesn’t mean she can’t suffer in the heart.’
    This was addressed to his inspector’s backside, the other half being wedged in the bowels of the wardrobe.
    â€˜Is that a fact?’ came the muffled response.
    â€˜I think Senga Murdison had a painful time with Count Borromeo.’
    â€˜Maybe she enjoyed it.’
    Mulholland gave up on the cracked board. ‘I’ll try the other carpet.’
    â€˜You will not. Come here a second.’
    The constable stood up somewhat wearily and crossed to where McLevy had partly emerged from the wardrobe, a triumphant lupine grin upon his face.
    The inspector wrenched back the door to let the maximum light in and pointed to what had been uncovered when the expensive shoes had been hauled away to lie in an untidy pile at the other side.
    The exposed wood on the bottom corner had some faint scraping marks as if the covering might have been prised up at one time.
    â€˜I cannae reach.