The Dark Palace--Murder and mystery in London, 1914 Read Online Free Page B

perhaps, the perpetrator of serial frauds? Something snagged, an emotional memory that went back further than Quinn had expected, to a time before he had become a policeman. But he could not translate it into a precise recollection.
    What he ought to do was confront the man. But all at once a strong sense of repugnance came over him. Whatever it was that had carved that expression on to the man’s face, it was not something Quinn wanted to get to the bottom of.
    He set off down the Embankment towards New Scotland Yard, his gaze fixed steadfastly ahead of him.
    Sunlight flooded the cramped attic room. Quinn squinted and turned his face away from the dazzling square in the window. The wall opposite was blank. The photographs and sketches from the previous case had already been taken down.
    He took off his bowler and hung it on the coat stand. There was no sign of DCI Coddington’s Ulster.
    Detective Sergeant Macadam looked up from the journal he was reading. ‘Morning, sir.’ Quinn detected a boyish excitement in his sergeant’s fidgeting. It seemed likely that Macadam was in the grip of a new enthusiasm.
    â€˜Good morning, Macadam. Is himself about?’
    â€˜Who, sir?’
    â€˜Coddington.’
    â€˜I’ve not seen him yet, sir. At least not in the department. I think I did catch sight of him on one of the lower floors earlier.’
    â€˜So … he is in the building?’
    â€˜I believe so, sir. Unless I was mistaken. However, his herringbone Ulster is very distinctive.’
    â€˜ His herringbone Ulster?’
    Macadam frowned, presumably at Quinn’s peculiarly pointed tone.
    â€˜I was the first Scotland Yard detective to wear a herringbone Ulster, Macadam. Coddington copied me.’
    â€˜If you say so, sir.’
    â€˜I’m not wearing it today, of course. No need for it on a day like today.’
    â€˜You can never tell at this time of the year though, sir, can you? Granted, it’s fine now.’ Macadam looked out of the window dubiously, as if he suspected the weather of malicious designs. ‘But it could change like that, sir. It’s the sort of thing you have to bear in mind if you wish to make a kinematograph.’
    Quinn thought it best to make no comment on this cryptic pronouncement. He sat down at his desk and sorted through the correspondence that was waiting for him. One envelope drew his attention. It was addressed to ‘Quick-Fire Quinn of the Yard’. The form of address provoked a feeling of sour dismay in Quinn. He was tempted to throw the letter away without opening it. But from the envelope, it did not look like the work of a crank. The address was typewritten, on business stationery. The symbol of an eye was embossed on the back, beneath which was printed: VISIONARY PRODUCTIONS.
    Inside was a card:
    You are cordially invited to the world premiere of
    THE EYES OF THE BEHOLDER
    The latest moving picture drama from VISIONARY PRODUCTIONS, of Cecil Court
    With scenes of unprecedented MYSTERY, SENSATION, HORROR & EMOTION
    Astonishing visual presentation
    Featuring MADEMOISELLE ELOISE, the international star of the silver screen,
    in the role of
    THE LOVED ONE
    Written and directed by the renowned maestro KONRAD WAECHTER
    The world premiere of THE EYES OF THE BEHOLDER will be screened at
    PORRICK’S PICTURE PALACE, Leicester Square
    On Friday, April the 17th, 1914, at 7 p.m.
    Before an audience of specially invited celebrities
    Handwritten in the top-left corner in green ink were the words: Quick-Fire Quinn and guest.
    So. This was what it had come to. He was a celebrity. He supposed he had The Daily Clarion to thank for that. He wouldn’t go, of course. It was beneath his dignity. And if Sir Edward ever found out, there would be hell to pay. The Special Crimes Department was meant to keep its head down, a creature of the shadows. Sir Edward Henry, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Force who had created the department,