Good Murder Read Online Free Page A

me.
    ‘We’re staying at the George Hotel, Sergeant, and we would be very grateful if you could put in a word.’ He had galumphed out of Geraghty’s without my noticing. Topaz took in Tibald’s bulk, and I thought I detected at the corner of his mouth something like disgust that rationing and shortages had done nothing to curb this man’s obviously epic appetite. When he spoke, however, it sounded to me like the exaggerated politeness of a man who thinks he has been caught in unguarded rudeness.
    ‘Good afternoon, sir,’ Topaz said.
    He and Tibald moved away from the truck and engaged in a conversation that included an exchange of furrowed brows, laughter, and a vigorous handshake. The ability to create such sudden intimacy was one I lacked and envied. People generally found my reserve off-putting, and read it as haughtiness or arrogance. This unfortunately meant that I almost always got off on the wrong foot with people. I got back into the truck and leant on the horn. Tibald clambered up into the passenger seat.
    ‘You were pretty chummy,’ I said, as I ground through the Bedford’s gears.
    ‘He’s a nice chap as it happens, and he’s coming to dinner at the George tonight. At least there’ll be two influential locals there. You should be bloody happy about that.’
    ‘I’m not sure that I like him. He’s …’
    ‘He’s what? Unimpressed by William Power?’
    I immediately saw the justice in Tibald’s brutal remark, and laughed.
    ‘Well, that’s a good enough reason not to like someone, don’t you think? Where to now?’
    ‘The fish depot. It’s directly opposite the hotel.’
    The dining room of the George Hotel saw a return to the days of fine dining last night. In an atmosphere softly lit by candles and hurricane lamps the Hotel’s new chef Mr Tibald Canty, originally of Melbourne, demonstrated to an appreciative group what was possible under the soon to be introduced austerity measures for public houses. He presented three courses, a fish soup, a flavoursome selection of meats in delicious sauces and a dessert of berries. Attending the dinner were Mr Lusk, Police Sergeant Peter Topaz, and councillor Tom Doohan and his wife Marjorie, who was wearing a frock of ivory suede taffeta with rosettes of ruching on the bodice. Mrs Doohan said that it was nice to dress up in these times. Also attending the dinner was Miss Polly Drummond. She was accompanied by LAC James Smelt. Miss Drummond chose a frock of white Swiss organdi. Members of the touring theatrical company, the Power Players, filled out the guest list. Miss Annie Hudson, who will be known to readers as the girl in the Colgate advertisement, currently touring with the Power Players, wore a bouffant gown of ivory ninon mounted on moire and stiffened net. The bodice was frilled with valence lace which was also introduced discreetly at the hem line. The proprietor of the George Hotel, Mr Augie Kelly, said that he was pleased to offer Maryborough fine food at an affordable price. Mr Canty’s austerity menu is available each evening and can be enjoyed for less than four shillings a head.
    Annie put the Maryborough Chronicle down.
    ‘I told you it would be a good idea to invite that society matron at the paper.’
    ‘I spent half an hour talking to her,’ I said, ‘and she didn’t bother to mention me. She promised that she’d put something in about Titus . Maybe I should have worn a taffeta frock.’
    ‘Maybe you should have felt her up. You know, for the good of the show.’
    ‘It’s funny. The last thing you say is only the most revolting thing you’ve ever said until the next thing you say. Have you noticed that?’
    Adrian Baden came into the dining room where this conversation was taking place. Of all the actors in the company he was the most talented. He was about 25, with the pared body of a distance runner. He was a queer, but he was not the mincing, pantomime type. I knew about his propensities because he had been genuinely