The Steam Pig Read Online Free

big chair behind the big desk. But he did not sit in it.
    This caught Mr Abbott in a half-crouch as he was lowering himself into the sofa opposite.
    Kramer smiled.
    Mr Abbott tried to smile.
    Then he straightened up with a little spring and went across to one of the coffins on display. He said: “Silly mistake.”
    â€œA lulu,” said Kramer.
    â€œArabella,” Mr Abbott corrected, pointing to the easel card.
    Kramer went round to inspect it. Then he leaned over to read the silver nameplate.
    â€œFalse—I mean fictitious,” explained Mr Abbott.
    â€œUhuh.”
    Kramer was pre-occupied with the reflection of his face in the highly polished lid. It was certainly a salutory experience to see how you would look some day. On second thoughts, though, death would not be able to make more of those sunken cheeks, deep-set eyes and protrudent front teeth. It was a hard face, an ugly face, a face which saved you a lot of beating about the bush. Kramer winked at it with his offside eye.
    Then he returned to the big chair and sat down. This time Mr Abbott compromised by perching himself on the sofa’s arm rest.
    â€œA lulu,” Kramer repeated sternly. “Colonel Du Plessis doesn’t know what to do with you—throw the book or pin a medal.”
    Mr Abbott squirmed.
    â€œI’m really most dreadfully sorry,” he whispered.
    â€œSave it,” Kramer snapped. “I’m only interested in Le Roux.”
    â€œBut what about Miss Bowen?”
    â€œFor a court to decide, if it gets that far. She wasn’t much. Maybe you’ll be lucky.”
    â€œThank God.”
    Mr Abbott slid down into the plush cushions.
    â€œSee it my way, Lieutenant,” he pleaded. “Farthing did both removals so I had nothing personal to go on. I thought I’d looked at the labels, but we then were rushed. It never occurred to me she was on the Trinity’s books.”
    â€œWhy not?”
    â€œAt her age? You could almost call it morbid.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œYou must have seen Trinity’s adverts, officer. They cater for the elderlies and the not-so-well-off. She was young and you could tell from the toes she had money.”
    â€œHey?”
    â€œI know it’s a bit of a cheek, but I must say I’m a bit of an expert on toes. Just the length of the nails can tell you a lot. In her case it was the toes not being all scrunched up by shoes not made exactly for her. Most shoes have quite a gap between their sizes you know, and it’s only measured lengthwise.”
    â€œCome on man, what’s this all about?”
    â€œWell, I must admit it had me puzzled at first, then it struck me: either she had her shoes made by hand, or—and this was more likely—she could afford Clarks’ or some other expensive kind that come in widths as well. Most important, widths. Obviously, either way, she had money.”
    Kramer was in no mood to audition for Dr Watson, but he managed to sound impressed.
    â€œYou must have spent quite a time on the body.”
    â€œOh yes.”
    â€œJust the toes?”
    â€œWell … there were the routine checks for rings, jewellery.”
    â€œYes?”
    â€œDidn’t find any.”
    â€œAnd you didn’t notice on the label she was a Trinity?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œI see,” said Kramer. “So you spent most of your time on the toes. Funny that, because I think she must have been quite a dolly before your friend got his knives to her.”
    Mr Abbott shifted nervously.
    â€œIn fact, I would say there’s more to all this than you’re telling me,” Kramer added, his voice made sinister by a sudden intuitive insight.
    And he watched with satisfaction as Mr Abbott blanched. He preferred him that shade. It went better with the furnishings. It ensured that there would be no more idle chatter.
    â€œWhat exactly do you want to know, Lieutenant?” Mr Abbott managed to say at